Senior Manager at Kenya Airways

Role Purpose Statement

Direct all in-flight catering services to ensure a cost efficient and high-quality provision of in-flight catering services including safety and security

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

• Establish Catering Charter, policies and procedures, to ensure catering staff execute duties in accordance with professional standards and code of Ethics
• Ensure all safety and security guidelines and regulations are observed and incorporated in all catering operations. Ensure that all Safety audit reports are closed within specified timelines.
• Prepare and monitor an annual In-flight Implementation Plan to ensure efficiency of operations both at hub and out stations in line with catering business plans and the company budget.
• Engage stakeholders in product development through negotiation and executing of catering contractual agreements to deliver the highest quality at favorable unit cost.
• To lead, motivate, guide, support and develop the catering team to enhance productivity, efficiency and ensure adherence to budgeted provisions.
• Ensure development and maintain an annual schedule of meal presentations and flight kitchen hygiene audits for all catering stations in the network. Lead in menu development and implementation on a rotational basis across the network.
• Continuously evaluate at the strategic level the Kenya Airways (KQ) in-flight product to determine how well the products and services meet customer satisfaction using the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) data. Work with the Customer Experience Board (CEB) Team to ensure continuous product development.
• Ensure completeness of supporting documents, correctness of expenditure estimates, availability of resources for proposed commitments and compliance with approved budget and work plans.
• Monitor assigned projects and update reports on savings and other managed categories through Smart initiatives to support the business objectives.
• Follow-up and ensure prompt response to all Opportunities to Improve (OTIs) and Voyage reports that affect catering, that appropriate action with the service provider is taken and all findings are closed.
• Liaise with head of supply chain, to ensure proper procurement of catering in-flight products, stock levels and timely deliveries of all catering products both at home base and out stations
• Monitoring of catering equipment requirements considering present operations and any planned network expansion.
• Ensure that all contracts are binding, agreed Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) are being monitored and action taken in case of any infringement
• Liaise with outsourced caterers and ensure that payment for services rendered is made within contractual obligations.
• Create a schedule plan with related stakeholders for annual audits and meal presentations.

Requirement

• Degree in Hotel Management or related Business field with 8 years’ experience in Airline Food and Beverage related positions.
• Excellent communication skills.
• IT literacy including use of databanks.
• Organizing and planning skills.
• Knowledge of Food and Beverage Management (an advantage).
• Experience in Lean Management.
• Experience in airline galley operations and loading standards.
• KQ Best practices (KQ Way).

Competencies

• Team leader and motivator.
• Results focused.
• Able to work and meet deadlines in a high operational environment.
• High Integrity, Ethics and Honesty.
• Building a results-oriented team.
• Customer insight.
• Communication skills.
• Negotiator and financial know how.
• Decision maker.