Shifting Job Functions and Skills

The pandemic accelerated the evolution of job roles within the hospitality sector. Cross-training became pivotal, allowing employees to diversify their skill sets, making them versatile in handling various tasks and enhancing operational flexibility. Roles like hygiene managers, health ambassadors, and digital concierges emerged, catering to the heightened focus on cleanliness, health, and technology integration.

Remote Work Opportunities

While hospitality traditionally thrived on in-person interactions, the pandemic ushered in the acceptance of remote work in certain operational facets. Administrative roles, marketing, and even some aspects of guest services found a new realm in remote work, offering flexibility and cost-saving opportunities for both employees and employers.

Health and Safety Precautions

Health and safety took center stage, leading to the implementation of rigorous protocols. HR departments spearheaded comprehensive training programs ensuring staff compliance with sanitation measures, health screenings, and upholding stringent safety standards. Additionally, employee well-being programs and mental health support mechanisms gained prominence, acknowledging the toll of the crisis on individuals.

Redefining Guest Interactions

Adaptation didn’t stop at internal operations; it extended to guest experiences. Hospitality businesses pivoted towards contactless services, mobile check-ins, and augmented reality tours. HR departments played a crucial role in training employees to deliver personalized, yet socially distanced, guest experiences, striking a delicate balance between warmth and safety.

The hospitality industry’s post-pandemic phase saw fundamental shifts in HR practices. Agility, empathy, and adaptability became central themes. The lessons learned during this period will shape HR strategies, ensuring a more resilient and inclusive workforce.  As the industry embraces changes and moves towards recovery, these evolving HR practices promise to redefine hospitality in the new normal, offering a more dynamic and sustainable future.

The post New Norms in Hospitality Hiring appeared first on Pacific Coast Hospitality.

1. Define Your Expectations Clearly

Outline the specific responsibilities, skills, and qualities you seek in a manager. Consider their expertise in handling finances, staff management, customer service, and understanding of the culinary industry. The goal is to find out if they are capable of fostering a vibrant dining atmosphere while maintaining operational efficiency.

2. Experience Matters, But Attitude Counts More

While experience is crucial, attitude and adaptability are paramount. Look for a candidate who not only boasts experience but also demonstrates a passion for the industry and a willingness to learn and adapt to your restaurant’s unique ethos.

3. Cultural Fit and Leadership Skills

A successful restaurant manager should align with your restaurant’s culture and embody leadership qualities. Assess their ability to motivate and lead a team, handle pressure gracefully, and communicate effectively. A manager who can inspire and guide their staff positively contributes significantly to a restaurant’s success.

4. Test Their Problem-Solving Skills

Restaurant management is rife with challenges. Present scenarios or case studies during the interview to gauge their problem-solving abilities. Ask questions such as: How do you handle conflicts among staff? How would you address declining customer satisfaction? Their approach to these hypothetical situations can reveal their managerial prowess.

5. Assess Customer Service Orientation

The heart of any successful restaurant lies in exceptional customer service. A skilled manager should prioritize customer satisfaction and possess a keen understanding of guest needs. Evaluate their track record in ensuring a seamless and delightful dining experience for patrons.

6. Financial Decisions

An effective manager should be financially astute. They should be proficient in cost control, budgeting, inventory management, and identifying opportunities to enhance profitability without compromising quality.

7. References and Background Checks

Don’t underestimate the importance of references and background checks. Speak with previous employers or colleagues to gain insights into the candidate’s work ethic, performance, and compatibility in a team environment.

8. Trial Period or Project

Consider a trial period or a project-based assignment before finalizing the hiring decision. This allows you to observe their skills in action within your restaurant’s setting and assess their compatibility with the team.

9. Stay Open to Innovation

A prospective manager who brings fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table can breathe new life into your establishment. Look for candidates who demonstrate a willingness to innovate while respecting the restaurant’s core values.

The post Hiring a Restaurant Manager: Keys for Success appeared first on Pacific Coast Hospitality.

Current Opportunities for Job Seekers

1. Pent-Up Demand: With people eager to travel, dine out, and experience new adventures, there is a surge in demand for hospitality services. As travel restrictions ease, hotels and restaurants are experiencing an uptick in bookings, driving the need for staff across various roles.

2. Innovative Roles: The pandemic has accelerated the adoption of technology in the hospitality industry. Job seekers with skills in digital marketing, data analysis, and online customer service will find themselves in high demand as businesses look to enhance their online presence and provide contactless services.

3. Flexible Work Options: The shift towards remote work during the pandemic has shown the industry that certain roles can be performed off-site successfully. Job seekers may find opportunities for flexible work arrangements, especially in roles related to marketing, sales, and administrative tasks.

4. Health and Safety Specialists: The importance of maintaining strict health and safety standards has become paramount. Job seekers with expertise in health and safety protocols and pandemic preparedness will be highly sought after by employers seeking to reassure guests and ensure compliance with regulations.

Challenges for Job Seekers

1. Competition: With many laid-off employees returning to the job market, competition for positions may be fierce. Job seekers need to stand out by showcasing their adaptability, flexibility, and commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.

2. Skill Shift: The pandemic has reshaped the industry, leading to the emergence of new roles and skill demands. Job seekers who wish to stay relevant may need to upskill or reskill to meet the changing requirements of the sector.

3. Emotional Well-being: Working in the hospitality industry can be demanding, and the pandemic has added a layer of stress and uncertainty. Job seekers must be prepared to manage the emotional challenges associated with working in a rapidly changing environment.

Current Challenges for Employers

1. Staffing Shortages: As the industry rebounds, employers may struggle to find skilled workers to fill vacant positions. It will be essential to attract and retain top talent through competitive compensation packages, professional development opportunities, and a positive work culture.

2. Health and Safety Compliance: Maintaining health and safety protocols while delivering a seamless guest experience is a delicate balancing act. Employers must invest in training and resources to ensure staff are well-equipped to handle the challenges of the post-pandemic world.

3. Digital Transformation: Embracing digital technology is crucial for staying competitive in the evolving hospitality landscape. Employers must invest in digital tools and platforms that enhance customer experiences and streamline operations.

Evolving Roles and Skills in Demand

The pandemic has accelerated the need for certain roles and skills within the hospitality industry. Job seekers need to adapt and acquire new skills.  Some of the evolving roles include:

1. Digital Marketing Specialists: As businesses pivot towards online marketing, professionals who can craft effective digital campaigns and leverage social media platforms to attract guests are in high demand.

2. Data Analysts: Data-driven decision-making is becoming increasingly vital in the hospitality sector. Data analysts can help businesses gain insights into customer preferences, optimize pricing, and improve operational efficiency.

3. Customer Experience Managers: Providing exceptional customer experiences will be a differentiating factor for businesses. Customer experience managers are responsible for ensuring guests have memorable stays and positive interactions with the brand.

4. Remote Event Coordinators: Virtual events gained popularity during the pandemic, and businesses now see the potential for hybrid or fully remote events in the future. Remote event coordinators play a crucial role in organizing and executing these gatherings.

The post Navigating the Post-Pandemic Hospitality Job Market: Opportunities and Challenges appeared first on Pacific Coast Hospitality.

Market

San Francisco, CA

Job Description

Pacific Coast Hospitality is looking for a sharp seasoned Private Club F&B Manager for this renowned Country Club on the Peninsula. This award-winning Club and Team is passionate about genuine hospitality and delivering the best guest-member experiences. You will work with and be supported by the stability of consistent top-notch leadership.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• Minimum 2 years experience in upscale fine dining or private club as F&B manager
• Professional team builder that values every team member
• Be THE guest advocate in the building
• Create and sustain a culture of hospitality and kindness
• Ability to find, train, teach, and retain top FOH talent
• Be an expert at systems and know your numbers
• Be fluent in scheduling, POS systems, payroll, inventory
• Event experience and large party experience are great!

Salary Range & Benefits

• Industry competitive compensation package: $80k – $ 90k
• Generous benefits and vacation plan
• Annual performance and salary review
• Balanced lifestyle for real, not just talked about

Job Category

F&B Manager

Job Type

Full Time

If any of these positions seem like you – please click on the button below to submit your resume and cover letter.   We will contact you via telephone or email for an initial interview. For immediate response, text us.

*_{Message and data rates may apply}

“We’re Pacific Coast Hospitality…we recruit the best, most qualified leadership talent for top hospitality organizations across the western U.S. and British Columbia.“

The post Job: Private Club F&B Manager, San Francisco appeared first on Pacific Coast Hospitality.

Market

San Francisco, CA

Job Description

Pacific Coast Hospitality is looking for a sharp seasoned General Manager and Chef for this Chef owned and operated, farm-to-table icon in the Los Angeles Area. This restaurant is established and expanding to Wine Country in early 2024. This hot spot is highly successful with exceptional leadership, a well-developed work/life balance culture, and growing FAST! This opportunity comes with responsibility and autonomy, your expertise and experience will be valued and appreciated from Day One. Train in Los Angeles and relocate to Napa Valley at the end of the year.

This award-winning restaurant is passionate about genuine hospitality and delivering scratch-made meals from fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. Great food, great service, and FUN define what has made this multi-unit, multi-concept group successful. That, and the stability of consistent top-notch leadership.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• 5 years experience in upscale fine dining as general manager or chef
• Professional team builder that values every team member
• Be THE guest advocate in the building
• Create and sustain a culture of hospitality and kindness
• Ability to find, train, teach, and retain top FOH & BOH talent
• Passionate about collaborating and building the business with the chef/owner
• Be an expert at systems and know your numbers
• Be fluent in scheduling, POS systems, payroll, inventory
• Have some media and PR expertise & ideas
• Event experience and large party experience are great!

Salary Range & Benefits

• Compensation package: $100k – $ 150k
• Generous benefits and vacation plan
• Annual performance and salary review
• Balanced lifestyle for real, not just talked about
• Entrepreneurial environment- yes, we have systems, but we need thinking leaders that don’t want their hands held

Job Category

General Manager/Chef

Job Type

Full Time

If any of these positions seem like you – please click on the button below to submit your resume and cover letter.   We will contact you via telephone or email for an initial interview. For immediate response, text us.

*_{Message and data rates may apply}

“We’re Pacific Coast Hospitality…we recruit the best, most qualified leadership talent for top hospitality organizations across the western U.S. and British Columbia.“

The post Job: General Manager/Chef, LA/Napa Valley appeared first on Pacific Coast Hospitality.

Market

Bend, OR

Job Description

Live and work in one of the Pacific Northwest’s most unique and desirable locations, we have an outstanding Sous Chef opportunity in Bend, Oregon. Competitive salary, benefits, busy work environment, and opportunity for career growth, are all part of the package with this Family owned company. Work, live, and thrive 20 minutes from world class snowboarding, skiing, hiking, river rafting, world class golf, and more craft beer than you know what to do with!

We are searching for a driven and talented Sous Chef with experience in high-quality high-volume kitchens. The ideal candidate will be able an expert at every station on the line, and an accomplished well-mannered expeditor, YOU will be the trainer for every line cook that joins our team. We take great pride in the development of our management team.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• Two or more years high volume full-service restaurant cooking
• Skilled and experienced in American cuisine
• Ability to supervise and ensure the smooth operation of the kitchen and dish room
• Experience assigning kitchen stations to the kitchen team at the start of the shift
• Ability to oversee training, cross-training, interviewing, and scheduling of team
• Confident assuming ALL duties of the Chef in the Chef’s absence
• Strong kitchen organizational skills
• Skilled communicator that leads by example
• Honesty, integrity and guest advocate mindset

Salary Range & Benefits

• Salary Package – $60k – $75k
• Great benefits (medical, 410k, PTO, vacation)
• Annual performance / salary review
• Growth opportunity within the company

Job Category

Sous Chef

Job Type

Full Time

If any of these positions seem like you – please click on the button below to submit your resume and cover letter.   We will contact you via telephone or email for an initial interview. For immediate response, text us.

*_{Message and data rates may apply}

“We’re Pacific Coast Hospitality…we recruit the best, most qualified leadership talent for top hospitality organizations across the western U.S. and British Columbia.“

The post Job: Sous Chef, Bend, OR appeared first on Pacific Coast Hospitality.

Market

Denver, CO

Job Description

Pacific Coast Hospitality is looking for a sharp seasoned Director of Marketing for this privately owned, locally operated, full-service multi-unit restaurant group.  Our client is an established company; highly successful, disciplined, with exceptional leadership, a well-developed work/life balance culture and growing FAST!  This opportunity comes with responsibility and autonomy, your expertise and experience will be valued and appreciated from Day One.  

This award-winning restaurant group is passionate about genuine hospitality and delivering scratch-made meals from fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients.  Great food, great service, and fun define what has made this multi-unit, multi-concept group successful.  That, and the stability of consistent top-notch leadership at every level of the organization.  

“The answer is YES!  What is the question?” is the one and only service philosophy in this company.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in upscale and casual dining as director or similar leadership role
• Experience with multiple projects and tight timelines
• Tactical marketing executions for each brand
• Corporate marketing
• Communications
• Digital advertising
• Website
• Online profiles
• Email management
• Public relations
• Social media
• Local restaurant marketing
• Menus & POS materials
• Event marketing

Salary Range & Benefits

• Industry competitive compensation package: $110k – $ 140k (starting, based on experience level)
• Obtainable performance bonus program
• Generous benefits and vacation plan
• Annual performance and salary review
• Balanced lifestyle – for real, not just talked about
• Entrepreneurial environment- yes, we have systems, but we need thinking leaders that don’t want their hands held

Job Category

Marketing Director — Hospitality

Job Type

Full Time

If any of these positions seem like you – please click on the button below to submit your resume and cover letter.   We will contact you via telephone or email for an initial interview. For immediate response, text us.

*_{Message and data rates may apply}

“We’re Pacific Coast Hospitality…we recruit the best, most qualified leadership talent for top hospitality organizations across the western U.S. and British Columbia.“

The post Job: Director of Marketing, Denver, CO appeared first on Pacific Coast Hospitality.

Staffing shortages are placing a tremendous burden on managers and employees.  And are impacting the customer experience.  Many restaurant employees are tossing in the towel because they are overworked and under supported.  Recruiting and retaining workers continues to be a struggle.  To overcome these challenges, restaurant owners and managers must adopt a centralized, user-friendly workforce technology.  Implementing technology driven employee experiences offer benefits like employee retention and improved customer service. 

Here are our top 3 reasons to invest in workforce technology.

1. Close Gaps in Employee Experience

Prioritizing the Employee Experience has never been more important.  As staffing shortages continue to rise nationwide, retention of frontline workers is crucial.  Adopting a technology-driven, user-friendly employee experience can provide the support and empowerment your workers are seeking.  Consider using or upgrading your internal technology to fill operational gaps.  Take time to examine how technology could aid communication, employee training, and upward mobility.  Start with something as simple as posting menu information and announcements.  Using internal technology here allows employees to stay up to date without checking a bulletin board as they fly in or out the door.  Employees can check the announcements as they commute to work or learn about new items before their next shift.  This will equip your employees to do their job and remain present when helping customers.  

2. Streamline Operations

Manual reporting is tedious, time consuming and out of date.  Not to mention prone to errors.  When you are short-staffed, having areas that are digitized and automated can increase employee productivity and can take the burden off you and your managerial staff.  HR tasks such as scheduling and finding people to fill last-minute shifts can be fulfilled by an automated system leaving you time to support employees and tend to customer needs.  Investing in an all-in-one virtual workspace not only increases efficiency, but creates a transparent work culture, houses online training modules, and offers essential task management.  The goal of operational efficiencies is to make frontline worker’s jobs easier.  Having access to a strong workforce technology allows your employees to do more with less.

3. Improve Customer Experience

When the employee experience suffers, the customer experience suffers as well.  Customer loyalty is a huge factor in long-term growth of your business.  It all centers around training and support of your employees.  Stressed employees are slower to complete tasks, and quicker to ignore customers.  Whereas, supported staff tend to be efficient at tasks and offer quality customer service.  When you have negative customer experiences, you receive bad reviews which jeopardizes your long-term success.  Investing in technology that can better train and support your staff trickles down and improves the customer experience. 

The post 3 Reasons to Adopt Workforce Technology appeared first on Pacific Coast Hospitality.

Chef Christ Kimura from Lee Kum Kee (Hong Kong-based company specializing in Chinese and Asian sauces) says, “. . . innovation is one part creative, one part operational,”  To sustain your restaurant, the dishes have to have interest or connect with the customers, AND it has to be executed consistently.  The solution?  Rethink pantry staples.  Finding simple ways where one ingredient can be added to create a signature sauce or dish solves many challenges.  First, it reduces the ingredients a chef needs to order.  In addition it simplifies prep and streamlines the cooking process.  Implementing this simple solution goes along with the already shrinking menus and the financial need to purchase fewer ingredients.

Food costs are continuing to rise.  Whether it be supply chain challenges or inflation, everyone is feeling the effects.  As an individual, this affects your wallet and as a restaurant, you feel those effects with less foot traffic.  People are having to stretch their budgets, and often that means decreasing restaurant visits each month.  Mix this with the continual struggle to find hourly staff and the weight to keep the doors open is almost unbearable.  

Today’s chefs are constantly interrupted and their time is split in the kitchen and other day-to-day tasks.  Focusing on both innovation and execution is a challenge. However, a huge part of being a chef is creativity.  Being able to play in the kitchen and create new recipes is a vital part of the job.  And equally important, it keeps patrons returning.  So, how is a chef to innovate new recipes that attract customers while protecting the bottom line?

Take a look at your menu and find areas where you are using ingredients for only one dish.  Remove or tweak those recipes so that the ingredients are used all over the menu.  The fun part?  If done well, your patrons will never know that the star of your appetizer is also used in your signature dressing.

Maybe innovation is just one ingredient away?!

The post #1 Tip to Encourage Innovation in Your Restaurant appeared first on Pacific Coast Hospitality.

The effects of COVID-19 and the Great Resignation are still being felt throughout the service industry.  Short-staffed or not, the show must go on.  Though high levels of turnover are standard in the industry, they should not be debilitating.  We’ve rounded up our top 6 tips to mitigate turnover. It is possible to retain the talent you have while fostering an environment that is attractive to new hires.  Let’s jump in!

Tip 1: Be Patient & Fair

There are many responsibilities to juggle as a manager.  As a result, being consistent and empathetic can be challenging.  It is vital to remember that things familiar or second nature to managers are often foreign concepts to new employees.  Be patient, as some of your best employees might take longer to learn.  Be fair.  How you treat your employees directly impacts retention.  Try your best to remove your personal preferences and manage from a brand standards perspective.

Tip 2: Effort Trumps Talent

There is a saying by Dave Weinbaum, “If you can’t excel with talent, triumph with effort.”  Managers must be able to recognize continuous effort.  These types of employees are valuable.  Find small, yet meaningful ways to identify the efforts of your team.  Finding each employee’s strengths will increase productivity.  Keep in mind that some employees may not be suited for certain roles.  Help your employees improve and find their place to shine.

Tip 3: Optimize Operations

There always seems to be a never ending list of tasks to complete during a shift.  Prep work, stocking, cleaning, etc.  Help your employees be more efficient by automating tasks when possible.  You can also make sure processes are streamlined to avoid the same task being completed multiple times.  Communication is key.  

Tip 4: Flexibility

Job flexibility is so attractive to potential employees.  Many remain at a job because their employer offers flexible work options.  In our current job market, if a position stops offering a flexible schedule, there is no shortage of jobs elsewhere.  You would rather be short-staffed for a few shifts than lose a valuable employee long term.  Remember that the next time an employee is seeking an accommodation.

Tip 5: Train Right the First Time

Training should lead to confidence.  As with learning any new skill, there will be bumps along the way.  Avoid constant correction and keep in mind that employees have different learning styles.  Try to accommodate when you can.  Managers must be aware of who will be working each shift training the employees.  You want to make sure that person is capable of leading the new hire to success.  While there are many reasons an employee may leave the workplace, don’t let a lack of sufficient training be the culprit.

Tip 6: Motivate Your Team

Keep your team around by completing standard reviews and raises.  This is one way to show team members that they are valued.  After all, employees come to work to get paid.  An excellent time to evaluate the employee’s goals with the company is during the review process.  It will also give you a chance to assess if a promotion would be a good step.  You are not promoting every employee to management level.  However, many companies have roles like “team lead” that can show the employees value without moving them immediately to a management position.  These accomplishments can lead to high satisfaction keeping your current team members around.  And the ability to promote within is appealing to potential new hires.

The post Strategies to Reduce Rapid Turnover appeared first on Pacific Coast Hospitality.