Catering Lead Supervisor (6-Month Contract) – Nairobi – Java House

Catering Lead Supervisor (6-Month Contract) – Nairobi – Java House

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Position: Catering Lead Supervisor
Company: Java House
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Type of Job: Full-time, 6-Month Contract
Reporting to: Head of Manufacturing
Application Deadline: 30 November 2024

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Job Overview

Java House, known for its welcoming dining experience and high-quality coffee, is looking for a Catering Lead Supervisor to oversee its catering services for a 6-month contract in Nairobi. This role is ideal for an experienced catering professional who thrives in a dynamic environment and has a knack for leading teams, maintaining high standards, and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Java House has been a pioneer in the coffee culture in East Africa since 1999, expanding across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda with a mission to provide high-quality coffee and a dining experience that feels like “a home away from home.” In this role, you’ll work closely with the Head of Manufacturing, ensuring smooth, efficient, and customer-focused catering service operations.

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Key Responsibilities

As the Catering Lead Supervisor for Java House, you will:

1. Gather and Define Customer Requirements
   • Collaborate with clients to understand catering needs, including guest count and event specifics.
2. Menu Planning and Customization
   • Develop food and beverage menus tailored to clients’ preferences, including dietary requirements and special requests (e.g., child-friendly meals or specific dietary accommodations).
3. Ingredient Management and Portion Control
   • Calculate ingredient quantities, set portion sizes, and oversee ingredient quality.
4. Scheduling and Staff Management
   • Create staff schedules aligned with event timelines and client needs, and coordinate with the team to ensure seamless event service.
5. Food Preparation and Presentation Oversight
   • Supervise food preparation processes, presentation standards, and customer service to ensure excellence.
6. Inventory and Cost Management
   • Monitor stock, place orders as necessary, and provide expense reports to maintain budget and operational efficiency.
7. Health and Safety Compliance
   • Ensure adherence to health and food safety standards in all aspects of food handling and catering services.
8. Client Engagement for Tastings
   • Arrange and oversee food tastings for prospective customers, presenting catering options and securing client satisfaction.
9. Event Quality Control
   • Maintain high-quality food standards, portion control, dietary customization, and timely service delivery.
10. Collaboration with Manufacturing for Menu Planning
    • Work closely with the Head of Manufacturing to refine and innovate menu offerings.
11. Promotion and Marketing of Catering Services
    • Support marketing efforts to promote Java House’s catering services, enhancing brand visibility and customer engagement.
12. Process Improvement and Cost Efficiency
    • Identify areas for operational improvement and recommend cost-saving measures that align with customer satisfaction goals.
13. Staff Development and Performance Review
    • Participate in staff performance evaluations and development planning, fostering a growth-oriented team environment.
14. Adherence to Java Catering Policy
    • Ensure that all duties and services are provided according to Java House’s catering policies and quality standards.

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Qualifications and Skills

To succeed as a Catering Lead Supervisor with Java House, the ideal candidate should bring:

• Leadership and Team Management: Strong ability to motivate, manage, and lead catering staff effectively.
• Financial Management and Budgeting: Expertise in budgeting, financial reporting, and cost control.
• Organizational and Time Management: Excellent organizational skills to ensure timely delivery of services.
• Customer Service Excellence: Dedication to delivering an exceptional customer experience.
• Catering and Event Management: Proven experience in managing events and catering operations from start to finish.
• Experience Required: 3-4 years in a similar role within the food and beverage industry.

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Company Culture and Values

Java House’s ethos is built on the foundation of offering a welcoming, high-quality dining experience, inspired by its commitment to East Africa’s coffee culture. Java House is a place where teamwork, customer focus, and quality are highly valued. The company nurtures a culture of mutual respect, inclusivity, and collaboration, making it an ideal environment for professionals who want to be part of a renowned brand with an exciting vision for growth.

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10 Expert Tips to be a Successful Applicant for the Catering Lead Supervisor Role

Each tip will help you structure an impactful application, navigate applicant tracking systems (ATS), and highlight relevant skills and experience.

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1. Highlight Leadership and Team Management Skills

As a Catering Lead Supervisor, your ability to lead, motivate, and coordinate a team is essential. Showcase your experience in managing catering or event teams, focusing on specific examples where your leadership made a measurable impact.

• Example: Instead of simply stating “Managed catering team,” try: “Led a team of 10 catering staff at XYZ Events, improving efficiency by 25% through targeted training and scheduling adjustments.”

Why it Works: Java House needs a candidate who can drive team success and productivity. By quantifying your achievements, you demonstrate not only experience but also tangible results, which is a key factor in the recruitment process.

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2. Emphasize Your Financial Management Skills

Managing budgets and controlling costs are core responsibilities in this role. Describe your experience in budget oversight, ordering supplies, or reducing costs without compromising quality.

• Example: “Reduced event catering costs by 15% at XYZ Catering by implementing bulk ordering and efficient portion control, while maintaining high customer satisfaction ratings.”

Why it Works: Java House is looking for a financially-savvy supervisor who can balance quality with cost-effectiveness. Demonstrating your cost-saving strategies can distinguish you as a candidate capable of delivering value to the organization.

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3. Showcase Organizational and Time Management Abilities

Given the fast-paced nature of catering, Java House values candidates who can manage multiple tasks and events effectively. Highlight times when your organization skills contributed to successful event execution.

• Example: “Coordinated 5 large-scale corporate events in a single month, efficiently managing team schedules, menu planning, and logistics to ensure each event was a success.”

Why it Works: This example shows your capacity to handle busy schedules and complex logistics, which are crucial for a supervisor role in catering. It also subtly communicates your ability to perform under pressure.

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4. Describe Your Customer Service Excellence

Exceptional customer service is vital at Java House. Reflect on situations where you handled challenging client requests or went above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction.

• Example: “Successfully resolved a last-minute menu change request for a client’s event, coordinating with the kitchen team to accommodate dietary restrictions and maintain service quality.”

Why it Works: Catering supervisors often face unexpected customer requests. Demonstrating flexibility and dedication to service will show Java House that you’re committed to client satisfaction.

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5. Detail Your Catering and Event Management Experience

Java House seeks candidates with proven catering and event management experience. Describe specific events you’ve handled, including the number of attendees, type of event, and your role in planning and execution.

• Example: “Oversaw all aspects of a 300-guest wedding catering service, from menu planning to post-event reviews, ensuring seamless service delivery that resulted in a 5-star client review.”

Why it Works: This example provides specific details about your hands-on experience in catering large events, which gives Java House a clearer picture of your capabilities in managing high-profile events.

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6. Illustrate Your Ability to Uphold Health and Safety Standards

Compliance with health and food safety regulations is critical in the catering industry. Outline your familiarity with safety standards and instances where you successfully implemented them.

• Example: “Ensured 100% compliance with local health regulations at ABC Catering by conducting weekly safety inspections, resulting in zero violations during my tenure.”

Why it Works: Safety compliance is non-negotiable for catering supervisors. By showcasing your commitment to maintaining high standards, you present yourself as a responsible candidate Java House can rely on.

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7. Use Keywords to Optimize for ATS

To ensure your application passes through Java House’s ATS, include relevant keywords from the job description, like “team management,” “customer service,” “financial management,” and “event planning.” Integrate these naturally into your resume and cover letter.

• Example: “Experienced in event planning and team management for high-volume catering services, with a focus on customer satisfaction and budget control.”

Why it Works: ATS scans for specific keywords related to the job role. Incorporating these terms organically increases your application’s chances of moving past the ATS and reaching a hiring manager.

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8. Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills

Supervising a catering team requires clear and effective communication. Mention any relevant communication achievements or training and provide examples of how you used communication to enhance team coordination.

• Example: “Implemented daily team briefings at XYZ Catering to ensure clear communication of tasks and customer expectations, resulting in a 20% improvement in service efficiency.”

Why it Works: By detailing a structured communication approach, you show Java House that you can keep a team organized, informed, and aligned with customer needs, which is a valuable quality in a supervisor.

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9. Mention Experience with Event Marketing or Promotions

Java House values candidates who can promote catering services and identify improvement areas. If you’ve been involved in marketing or promoting catering services, describe these experiences with specifics.

• Example: “Developed promotional strategies that increased XYZ Catering’s event bookings by 30% over six months, including targeted social media campaigns and client engagement tactics.”

Why it Works: Demonstrating an ability to market and grow catering services will show Java House that you bring an additional, revenue-focused skill set that goes beyond operational management.

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10. Prepare Examples of Problem-Solving in Fast-Paced Environments

Catering can be unpredictable, so highlight examples where you quickly resolved unexpected issues. This shows Java House that you’re adaptable and can maintain composure in a fast-paced environment.

• Example: “Handled a last-minute staff shortage during a corporate event by quickly reassigning roles and personally overseeing high-priority tasks to ensure the event proceeded smoothly.”

Why it Works: Java House will value a supervisor who can adapt to changes and solve problems efficiently. This type of example shows your proactive approach and readiness for challenges common in catering.

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Apply Now for Catering Lead Supervisor at Java House

If you’re ready to take on this exciting challenge with Java House, we encourage you to apply. Showcase your skills, experience, and passion for delivering outstanding catering services. To apply, click on the “Apply Now” button and submit your resume along with a tailored cover letter.

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Equal Opportunity Statement:
“We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all backgrounds. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.”