Western Cape: Jr 16391 – General Manager (Game Lodge) posted by HotelJobs

Employer Description

Stunning 5* big 5 game lodge that sleeps 28 pax in Western Cape

Job Description

Seeking an experienced General Manager for a Big Five Private Game Reserve within the Western Cape. Exclusive upmarket private 14 bed lodge that offers a wilderness/game experience to overnight FIT and tour operator lodge guests and activity-based tourism/game drives and lunches to tour operator/bus groups and FITs. The Housekeeping and Food and Beverage Functions have to be maintained at the highest level as do the product offerings (accommodation/main lodge/bar/curio shop/game drives and excursions). The over-all running and management of the operation will be the responsibility of the General Manager, who will report directly to the shareholder/owners.

Skills required

Game Farm management :

• Must have a basic understanding of game farm management principles and must be able to identify problems/concerns in the following areas and task work teams accordingly:

• Fence checks and boundary lines

• Road maintenance

• Game management and carrying capacity

• Water supply and boreholes

• Gardens around living zones

Maintenance and Vehicle Control

• Must be able to identify areas in the lodge where maintenance is required

• Ensure that standard and functionality of all lodge infrastructure is maintained (both in guest and staff areas)

• Have a basic understanding of constructions/maintenance principles and provide working, long-term solutions to maintenance problems in the lodge

• All materials/contractors required for maintenance need to be costed and approved by owners

• Oversee the Vehicle Maintenance, Vehicle presentation and use of

Safety and security

• Ensure adherence and understanding to Fire, Hygiene, Health and Safety

• Reduce accidents and ensure that all safety hazards are addressed and potential problems communicated to the owner

• Scheduling of security staff duties and responsibilities

• Develop and enforce lodge security systems

• Continual monitoring of security cameras and alarm systems

Food and beverage

• Replenishment planning

• Oversee standard of food/drink as well as presentation (table/food/special occasion) to ensure lodge standards are maintained

• Knowledge and experience of overall hospitality operations/Food and Beverage

Finance/Admin

• Ensure the correct and timeous completion of all weekly/monthly financial reports and send them to owner

• Monitor and ensure that all payments received from guests are allocated and posted correctly cash, card and eft payments must all be accounted for

• Ensure that all invoices are batched correctly and sent to the admin/support office for payment

• Check and sign-off Petty Cash Monitor

• Compile financial reports and report any irregularities to the owner

• Ensure monthly gratuities are allocated correctly must be signed off, summarized and forwarded to the payroll office at month end

• Manage and control all purchasing for lodge purchase orders and invoicing

• Control and issue all food and beverage stocks/linen/general lodge supplies

• Manage all stock takes and month end reports/consolidations

• Contribute to the creation, implementation and monitoring of budget throughout the organization

• Effective financial management through the administration of orders and effective stock control

• Manage and control inventory stock and compile Lodge monthly report

Staffing, HR and Uniforms

• Planning and management of staff rosters and leave schedule

• Staff training and development throughout all departments where required

• Managing lodge processes, staff scheduling and monitoring thereof

• Conduct staff disciplinary meetings and carry out disciplinary procedures

• Assistance in management of salaries, provident fund, medical aid

• Update and maintain staff files

Day-to-day staffing of Front of House (FOH) as per guest requirements*

• Identify staff training requirements and try find ways to empower staff within company structure to add value back into the company

• Play a strong role in contributing to the direction and culture of the organization

• Training, mentoring and monitoring od middle management

• Provide effective leadership through professional management and encouragement of all subordinates

• Demonstrate and promote flexibility and adaptability towards changing working hours and shifts according to the requirements of a 24-hour operation

• Communicate effectively, frequently and respectfully with all members of the organization/staff team

• Housekeeping and Maintaining of Corporate Identity oversee this function

• Regular and thorough checks of rooms/units to ensure that housekeeping standards are maintained

• Log all guest complaints/suggestions regarding housekeeping and make changes accordingly

• Management of daily linen and laundry

• Housekeeping team management, allocation of duties and creation of schedules

• Ensure that all lodge areas front and back of house (FOH/BOH) are always clean and organized and that all equipment/infrastructure is maintained and to standard

• Maintain the highest standards of housekeeping and maintenance and ensure that the style and design of the lodge is not eroded

Guest relations

• Coordinate all guest events and daily lodge operations

• Be readily available to deal with guest queries and complaints

• Respond professionally to complaints with a pleasant and helpful attitude

• Use feedback from complaints/conversations with guests as a learning experience and a platform for constructive discussion

• Drive and maintain superior levels of guest service and guest satisfaction

• Play a key role in interacting with guests regularly to ensure that all aspects of a guests stay are being catered to

• All pertinent information relating to guest requests or complaints must be filtered to the relevant department heads timeously

Marketing and Product Development

• Oversee the ongoing collection and creation of marketing material in the lodge in all media forms

• Oversee quality and accuracy of outgoing marketing content from the lodge

• Continual checking of external booking platforms to ensure that the lodge receives notification and payments for bookings made via external platforms

• Continual checking of correct company information on third party websites to ensure accuracy and follow-through of referral bookings

• Continual monitoring of social media platforms for false news or negative feedback regarding the lodge/company

• Continual communication to the website host to ensure that website is updated continuously with relevant news/announcements/information

• Ensure that all signage on the property and surrounds is vivid and up to date with the correct information and recent content/photographs

• Formulate and network with neighboring lodges and tourism products to integrate the product into the local community and the national lodge/tourism industry

• Hosting and selling the lodge to travel and tour agents/operators

• Remain informed and on top of industry trends monitor local and local competitors and come up with new marketing ideas to remain interesting and competitive

• Development of detailed guest programs and experiences together with owners both in the lodge and bush utilizing all venues

Retail

• Must be able to identify the state of the shop whether it needs more stock/less stock/re-organizing and make suggestions accordingly

• Put systems in place to prevent breakages/damaging/theft of stock

• Monitor/take cognizance of turnovers and buying trends in the shop

• Control and drive shop sales

• Control and continually evaluate pricing of goods and services in the lodge to remain competitive

• Maintain full responsibility for the retail stock in the store including costs, stores, losses, inconsistencies and expired stock items

• Ensure the Point of Sale (POS) is operated efficiently

• Conduct midmonth and month end stock takes to ensure requisition procedures are strictly followed according to par levels and company standards, ensuring accuracy

• Ensure that necessary stocks are ordered and on hand at the right quality and quantity according to company standards

• Stock choices and supplier choices and strategies and guidelines of stock levels are predetermined by buyer. Key performance areas for which General Manager is responsible are to maintain stock levels/displays instituted and the driving of sales.

Qualifications

Relevant Hospitality Management qualification advantageous.

Skills

Must have at least 5 years GM experience in a 5 star game lodge.

Ability to fine tune standards to 5 star.

Strategic and corporate minded.

Ability to mentor staff and upskill them.

Drive revenue.

Ensure top notch guest satisfaction.

Benefits

Accommodation