Director of Food And Beverage

Are you a master of craft? Do you thrive in a team that succeeds together, demonstrating integrity and respect while acting responsibly? Do you embrace a growth mindset? We invite you to become a fan of the exceptional.

Mandarin Oriental is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences located in prime destinations around the world, with a strong development pipeline. Increasingly recognized for creating some of the world’s most sought-after properties, the Group provides legendary service inspired by Asian heritage whilst representing the very cutting-edge of luxury experiences.

Mandarin Oriental, Makati is an upcoming 5-star luxury hotel set within the lush Ayala Triangle Gardens, at the prestigious corner of Paseo de Roxas and Makati Avenue. Scheduled to open in 2026, this landmark development will feature 276 elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites, offering a refined blend of contemporary design and timeless sophistication. Guests will enjoy an exceptional array of world-class amenities, including a curated selection of restaurants, a stylish bar, a serene pool area, and the brand’s signature spa. Designed to be a sanctuary in the heart of the city, the hotel promises an elevated experience for both leisure and business travelers seeking comfort, excellence, and distinction in Manila.

The Role

The Director of Food & Beverage (DOF&B) is responsible for the strategic leadership, pre‑opening setup, and operational excellence of all F&B venues and banquet operations at Mandarin Oriental, Makati. Leading all F&B operations and pre‑opening deliverables, this role ensures every outlet reflects Mandarin Oriental’s brand values—The Exceptional, Growth, Teamwork, Respect, and Responsibility—by delivering extraordinary guest experiences, developing strong teams, and embedding sustainable and ethical practices.

The role drives concept development, guest experience, financial performance, and brand compliance—ensuring every outlet exemplifies Mandarin Oriental’s legendary standards. During pre‑opening, the DOF&B leads project planning, OS&E/FF&E readiness, recruitment and training, operating SOPs, menu engineering, and readiness milestones in partnership with the Hotel Manager, Culinary, Finance, People & Culture, Engineering, and Sales & Marketing.

Key Responsibilities

• Pre‑Opening Strategy & Project Readiness
• Lead the full F&B pre‑opening roadmap: concept finalization, brand standards alignment, OS&E/FF&E procurement, critical path tracking, and venue handovers with Technical Services/Engineering.
• Develop manpower plans, org charts, job descriptions, and recruitment campaigns in partnership with People & Culture; drive selection, onboarding, and training.
• Create and validate SOPs/LSOPs, service sequences, opening checklists, and training materials (including LQA/MO standards).
• Coordinate brand/owner approvals for design, uniforms, tableware, menus, beverage lists, and merchandising assets.
• Oversee licensing and compliance (e.g., sanitation, DOH, DOLE, liquor permits), and ensure Health & Safety protocols meet local regulations and MOHG policy.
• Build and execute a menu engineering plan with Culinary and Beverage: product curation, tastings, pricing strategy, and costing.
• Implement systems and controls: POS (e.g., Oracle/MICROS), inventory, recipe management, procurement, cash handling, and stock security.
• Plan and run mock services, stress tests, and soft openings; deliver opening-readiness reports to the Hotel Manager.
• Operational Excellence & Guest Experience
• Lead daily operations of restaurants, bars, lounges, IRD, Club/Executive Lounge (if applicable), and Banqueting—delivering consistent five-star service.
• Champion guest journey design and service culture that reflects Mandarin Oriental’s values; drive recovery and retention for any service lapses.
• Implement quality audits (LQA/MO standards), mystery shops, and guest feedback loops (e.g., Medallia/TrustYou).
• Partner with Culinary to ensure food safety (HACCP), allergen management, sanitation, and impeccable product quality.
• Commercial & Financial Management
• Own the F&B P&L: budgeting, forecasting, pricing, cost control, productivity, and profitability (Food Cost %, Beverage Cost %, Labor %, GOP).
• Develop revenue strategies (promotions, events, partnerships, PR, digital activations) with Sales & Marketing; optimize demand by daypart, season, and segment.
• Implement strong inventory management and waste reduction; maintain accurate standard recipes and yields with approved costings.
• Drive menu mix analysis and continuous optimization to enhance revenue, contribution margins, and brand differentiation.
• People Leadership & Culture
• Build and inspire a high-performing leadership bench (Restaurant Managers, Bar Manager, Banquet Manager, Sommelier, Stewarding, IRD, etc.).
• Create a learning culture—service academies, cross-training, skills certification, and succession plans; embed performance management and recognition.
• Foster a safe, inclusive workplace aligned with MOHG values; uphold local labor compliance and conduct standards.
• Stakeholder Management & Collaboration
• Work closely with Culinary, Rooms/Front Office, Finance, Engineering, Security, IT, HR, and Sales & Marketing to ensure end-to-end excellence.
• Liaise with owners, brand/technical services, designers, and external partners as needed.
• Represent F&B in EXCOM meetings, pre-construction/OS&E meetings, and operational briefings.
• Governance, Risk & Compliance
• Ensure full compliance with local regulations (sanitation, labor, alcohol service laws), MOHG policies, and Health, Safety & Security standards.
• Maintain risk registers, incident reporting, and corrective action plans; lead regular fire/life safety and food safety drills with Stewarding & Security.
• Uphold ethical supplier relationships and procurement standards.
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive F&B leadership in luxury hotels or high-end standalone restaurants/bars, with pre‑opening experience strongly preferred.
• Track record managing multi-venue operations (restaurants, bars, banquets/events, IRD).
• Strong financial acumen (budgeting, forecasting, menu engineering, cost control).
• Deep knowledge of luxury service standards and food safety (HACCP).
• Experience with POS (e.g., MICROS/Oracle), inventory systems, recipe costing tools, and MS Office/BI dashboards.
• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management; excellent English communication (additional languages an advantage).
• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Business, or related field preferred.
  
  

Competencies

• Strategic & Commercial Mindset: converts concepts into profitable, brand-right operations.
• Guest-Centric Leadership: elevates service rituals and personalization.
• Operational Discipline: process design, SOP rigor, and continuous improvement.
• Talent Magnet: hires, develops, and retains high-performing teams.
• Collaboration & Influence: manages across functions and with owners/brand.
• Resilience: thrives in ambiguity and opening timelines.
• Integrity & Compliance: role-model for ethics and safety.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Flexible schedule including weekends, holidays, and evenings as business demands.
• Role requires on-floor presence and time in back-of-house areas; ability to stand, walk, and lift up to 15 kg as needed for operational support.
• Participation in emergency response and safety procedures.
  
  

Why Join Us?

Mandarin Oriental offers a world‑class environment where your expertise, creativity, and leadership will shape the legacy of our return to Manila. You will be part of a dynamic pre‑opening team committed to excellence, innovation, and authentic Asian hospitality.

Our Commitment To You

• Learning & Development. Your success is our success. We craft unique learning and development programmes for various stages in your career so that you grow, continuously.
• MOstay. When you work as hard as our colleagues do, it’s important to take time off. As a member of the #MOfamily, you can stay with us wherever you go in the world. The MOstay programme offers complimentary nights and additionally attractive rates on rooms for you and your loved ones.
• Heath & Colleague Wellness. Finding the right work-life balance is important. Your wellbeing matters to us. A variety of health benefits and wellness programmes are offered to all our colleagues, globally.
  
  

We’re Fans. Are you?

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