Senior Manager - Catering Operations

Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national airline is looking for global talent to build on our ambition to be the World’s most inspiring airline with an exceptional guest experience.

JOB ROLE 

We are seeking a Senior Manager, Catering Operations, to oversee the entire Catering portfolio from a Commercial and Operations perspective. This includes working closely with the experience strategy team in the design, development, implementation, management of current and new meal services & standards, and providing leadership to the entire operational team which has overall accountability for the day-to-day catering operations at the Riyadh hub and for outstations worldwide. This position reports to the Vice President, Guest Experience.

The Senior Manager, Catering Operations is responsible for providing leadership, strategy direction and overall accountability for Catering operations and supply chain.  This scope includes system-wide catering operations (3rd party caterers at outstations) as well as catering supply chain operations (central warehousing in Riyadh with global distribution of all catering products across many suppliers).

The scope involves management of all caterers system-wide to ensure agreed to KPIs (OTP, food safety & quality audits, meal overages, internal/external audits and corrective actions, etc) and contractual SLAs are being delivered upon and that overall compliance to the specifications is being adhered to on a consistent basis.  This position is responsible for all global station start-ups and shut-downs, seasonal station operations, and the successful launch of new aircraft, new specifications, products, and services under the catering operations environment. 

GENERAL ACTIVITIES

• Direct and lead a team in the implementation and management of infrastructure and processes that support and measure caterers at the Riyadh hub and outstations worldwide as well as supply chain providers (KPIs, performance; budget and service delivery; adherence to safety protocols, etc) ensuring a consistent and aligned strategy across the system.
• Direct and accountable for onboard galley stowage planning that supports, influences, and impacts efficient/cost effective onboard processes ultimately contributing to guest satisfaction.
• Accountable for the catering budget delivery encompassing food service contracts and supply inventory as well as effective utilization of capital assets (metal equipment).
• In collaboration with the Experience Strategy team, evaluate new catering products for all cabins and crew meals.
• Provide direction on a plan to gather feedback on all Catering related items from all Internal (such as Cabin crew, Catering Operations, Yammer) and external sources (such as Caterers and Guests) and make adjustments to the Catering product as necessary.
• Negotiate with suppliers and implement all menus at the best possible prices.
• Prepare and issue contract tender information package for food contracts and analyze cost submissions.
• Develop cost reduction initiatives via more efficient planning, analysis, scheduling and automation of all our Catering related activities.
• Ensure caterer technology systems support and interface with company systems appropriately, including inventory management systems, production forecasts, dispatch, and other systems.
• Explore disruptive new technologies such robotics, artificial intelligence, Web3.
• Research industry wide best practices and products by conducting competitor analysis (benchmarking) of leading airlines and their associated catering operations.
• Maintain high level of knowledge of Company policies and procedures, GACA regulations and Operations Specifications.
• Perform any related activities according to business requirements.

PROFILE REQUIREMENTS 

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of work experience, preferably with strong guest service orientation, and proven track record of professionalism and accomplishment with a leading airline in catering operations.

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality, Operations Management, or any related field.
• Post-graduation qualification will be an added advantage.

Competency Requirements

• Strong proficiency in MS Office
• Strong understanding of airline catering operations
• Problem-solving and decision making
• High levels of innovation and influencing
• Business acumen
• Strong sense of culinary design and execution and ability to work with chefs to execute on a culinary vision
• Good interpersonal skills
• Strong sense of initiative and accountability
• High level of professionalism and work ethics
• Adaptability and desire to work in an evolving/start-up environment where policies and processes are being created
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills