The Royal Hotel Valentia, Valentia Island, Co. Kerry
The Royal Hotel Valentia is seeking an experienced, hands-on Food & Beverage Manager to lead the food and beverage operation of our 29-bedroom hotel.
Predominantly food & beverage driven, with a strong local dining trade, the hotel operates a busy bar and restaurant and hosts weddings, meetings and large private and public events. Under new ownership, the hotel is currently transitioning from a 3-star to a 4-star standard, and the F&B operation will be central to that journey.
This is a floor-based leadership position, reporting directly to the General Manager, with responsibility for developing the team, improving standards and driving the commercial performance of the department.
The Role
The position will focus on leading the day-to-day bar and restaurant operation, ensuring consistently high standards of service while building and developing a strong F&B team.
You will be highly visible on the floor, confident leading busy services and comfortable balancing the needs of our local trade, hotel residents, visitors to Valentia Island, weddings and events.
Alongside the operational responsibilities, you will take ownership of labour, stock, margins and agreed F&B performance targets.
Key Responsibilities
· Ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of the bar and restaurant
· Lead, train and develop the F&B team as a key priority
· Drive service standards and cleanliness in line with our move towards 4-star expectations
· Maintain a strong management presence on the floor during key service periods
· Manage rosters, labour deployment and departmental productivity
· Monitor stock control, beverage GP, wastage and cost management
· Work closely with the Head Chef and kitchen team to optimise F&B performance
· Drive F&B revenue through upselling, promotions and development of the overall offering
· Support the successful delivery of weddings, functions and events
· Ensure excellent guest experience across all F&B areas
· Maintain compliance with health, safety and licensing requirements
· Take ownership of agreed departmental objectives and KPIs
· The F&B Manager will act as the Duty Manager at times on the duty manager roster
The Ideal Candidate
· Minimum 3-5 years' experience in a senior F&B, restaurant or hotel management role
· Experience in a 4-star or quality property desirable
· Enjoys training, coaching and developing teams
· Strong restaurant and bar operational experience is mandatory
· A natural leader with a strong presence on the floor
· Proven ability to train, develop and motivate a team
· Commercially aware with a strong understanding of labour, margins, GP and stock control
· Experience with weddings, banqueting and events are advantageous
· Highly organised and calm under pressure
· Comfortable working in a busy and highly seasonal operation
· Ambitious, hands-on and motivated by the opportunity to improve and develop an F&B operation
The Package
· Salary: Competitive salary for the right candidate, DOE
· Performance-related bonus scheme linked to agreed objectives
· Accommodation may be available
· Full-time, permanent position
· Opportunity to take genuine ownership of the hotel's F&B operation
· Opportunity to play a key role in elevating the hotel to 4-star level
· Beautiful coastal working environment on Valentia Island, Co. Kerry
Pay: From €35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Employee discount
- Food allowance
- Housing allowance
- On-site parking
- Relocation assistance
Work Location: In person
