Duties of the Chief Steward
A supervisory position similar to a food service manager, the chief steward oversees many daily operations in a hotel, on board a yacht or cruise ship, or an airplane. He is involved in practically every aspect of the upkeep, productivity, and customer service of his enterprise.
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Managing Staff
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Staff supervision and liaison is of utmost importance to the chief steward position. He must coordinate all the hospitality workers at the establishment including the kitchen staff, storeroom, janitorial, or housekeeping staff, front desk, and pantry to ensure all staff members work efficiently and in harmony.
Conducting Inspections
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The chief steward inspects all worker areas for safety and organization to increase productivity and prevent hazards. Inspections can include the freezers, stoves or ovens, guest rooms, and common areas, making certain the standards of the hotel, vessel, or airline are always up to par.
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Maintaining Inventory
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Chief stewards calculate and maintain inventory to sustain productivity and efficiency, prevent shortages, and keep abreast of new additions to stock. She prepares invoices and liaisons with the suppliers, upon delivery checking that ordered items are present, accounted for, and unspoiled or damaged.
Performing Administrative Tasks
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The chief steward may also be in charge of administrative tasks such as planning and setting menus, pricing, establishing budget controls, or contacting and maintaining relationships with contractors. He may also have authority to hire or fire staff.
Providing Customer Service
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Providing excellent customer service is an important part of the chief steward's duties. This includes bell service, room service, cabin service, or any other personal service offered by the establishment. She may be required to plan events or banquets, prepare decorations, create specialty menus, and arrange for extra staff to be on hand for the occasion. It is the steward's job to ensure all the customer's expectations are met or exceeded.
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References
- Photo Credit waiter setting table in restaurant image by Stephen Orsillo from Fotolia.com
