Food & Beverage Manager
A number of Food and Beverage Managers start their career paths by taking up part-time jobs in fast food establishments, restaurants, hospitals, and hotels while still in school or college. This enables them to know more about their duties and gives them a clear idea of what the position entails.
They can then take up permanent jobs after obtaining relevant academic qualifications in hospitality management (Jobs in Hotels par. 1). Generally, an experience of between 3 and 5 years in the Food and Beverage section combined with a degree program in hospitality management can get one into this position.
Roles
A Food & Beverage Manager ensures that quality services are provided at every point of sale in the Food and Beverage Section of any hospitality firm. The person therefore oversees and coordinates all activities in the Food and Beverage Department. Other roles include ensuring that legislations set by authorities are complied with and customers and guests receive quality services.
Qualifications
Before one gets to this position, he/she must enroll for a certificate program that covers core areas in the hospitality industry, including customer service, responsible beverage vending, HRM, safety and sanitation, and dining room service.
They are also required to have associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in hospitality management, a program that equips them with skills required in the hiring process, planning menus, staff training, management of large-volume kitchens and catering events, making purchases and stock management, marketing, and other associated skills. An advanced degree is a bonus.
Restaurant Manager
This position requires both education and work experience. After obtaining a college qualification in hospitality management, a person is expected to have work experience while furthering their education. A bachelor’s degree program is preferred while an advanced degree such a master’s or MBA is an added advantage.
Roles
A restaurant manager supervises all activities that take place in a hospitality facility, including procurement, production, and service delivery. He/she ensures that services are of high quality, he/she recruits and manages staff, and ensures brand standards are applied and that health and safety standards are satisfied.
Qualification
Aspiring Restaurant Managers can enroll for a 2-year associate degree program in hotel/food and beverage studies up to BTS/HND standard or attain similar qualifications before proceeding to acquire a degree in hospitality management.
They can then take up mid-level positions such as Food and Beverage Manager or Assistant Restaurant Manager. To enhance their resumes, it is important that one obtains an advanced degree such as MBA or master’s. Besides, the person must have significant senior level experience in managing a hospitality firm, preferably for five or more years.
Reservations Manager
To get into this career, a person should have a qualification in information technology and have a working knowledge of appropriate reservation systems. Besides, they should have training in hospitality management and be fluent in one or more official languages.
Roles
The main role of a Reservations Manager is to organize the reservations system, oversee the quality of services offered, and at the same time strive to maximize occupancy rates and average returns per room. He also manages staff working in the reservations department.
Qualifications
Besides having A-level qualifications, an aspiring Reservations Manager must also be qualified in a technology course, preferably information technology, up to HND level or similar. A degree is desired but a higher qualification can be an added advantage.
They must have working knowledge of appropriate reservation systems, such as Fidelio, and be fluent in one or more official languages. Fluency in a second official language is a plus (CB salary par. 2). Finally, they must have between 2 and 5 years’ experience working in the hospitality industry, particularly in the reservations department.
Works Cited
CB salary. “Hospitality Administration Management Major Entry Level Jobs.” 2012. Web.
Jobs in Hotels. “Hotel Management.” 2012. Web.
JWU Providence. “Concentrations.” 2012. Web.