What are the responsibilities and job description for the Maitre D position at Itoko?
Boka Restaurant Group and ‘Jean Banchet Award of Culinary Excellence’ winner, Chef Gene Kato, are excited to announce their newest concept, Itoko! Itoko is now open in Southport Corridor and is currently seeking a Maître D' to join their team!
Benefits & Perks: Health, Dental, and Voluntary Benefits Package (available after 90 days), employer-sponsored mental health and resource program, paid sick leave, 401(k) program, career mentorship and growth potential, and dining incentives across our 20 establishments!
About Itoko: Itoko is a sushi and robata house located in Chicago’s historic Southport Lanes building. The menu features Kato’s high level of ingredients and technique, but brings a relaxed environment curated for the Southport neighborhood.
General Description: As the Maître D' for Itoko, you will report directly to the General Manager. You will be responsible for demonstrating total ownership of the front door and front door operations, helping to manage on the floor, close the restaurant, and to supervise employees. As covers drive revenue, one of the primary functions of the Maître D' is to maximize the number of covers through reservations and walk-ins on a daily basis, while setting a tone of calm and control, coupled with warmth and hospitality.
Schedule:
- 5 days a week. Schedule will vary including weekends and holidays.
Maître D's Responsibilities:
Front Door Duties:
- Recruit, train, schedule and manage all hosts
- Have a thorough understanding of the OpenTable reservation system
- Manage host team labor on a daily and weekly basis according to budget and forecasted goals
- Driving covers to Itoko through aggressive management of OpenTable book, including but not limited to: pacing, turn-times, attrition, ‘ghost’ tables, table-size capacity and the development of shoulder periods
- Regular re-assessment and report of the OpenTable book to identify areas of opportunity for maximizing covers
- Recommendations to the General Manager and Operations Team on changes that would assist in increasing cover count without compromising the guest experience
- Liaise with the kitchen and floor teams to ensure streamlined communication across all departments
- Lead guest relations in-house by developing meaningful relationships with both regular and first-time guests
- Assess opportunities to enhance the guest experience through specialized offerings and guest-specific initiatives, thinking and working outside the box to deliver unique memories to guests
- Communicate HP reservations and reservation needs/special requests to restaurant leadership and ownership as required
- Assist with daily team management, including directing team members during the shift and troubleshooting employee issues
- Maintain restroom cleanliness throughout service through regular bathroom checks and dispatching of hosts to replenish supplies
- Complete closing/end of shift tasks, as assigned by position and manager shift
- Timely escalation of all issues to senior management, including both guest & team member (HR) matters
Service Duties:
- Complete opening tasks, as assigned by position and manager shift schedule
- Complete a dining room walk-through to check that the restaurant is set-up for service before the first guests are seated
- Assist management team with pre-shift meeting, leading the HP guest list segment
- During service, assist with floor management as needed and follow restaurant-specific service procedures – this includes but is not limited to touching tables, running food & communicating with the kitchen, overseeing team & keeping team members on task, ensuring restaurant & restroom cleanliness, answering phones & assisting host team, seating guests, monitoring the door, and troubleshooting guest service issues
- Deliver superior guest experience and strive to have every guest leave happy
- Complete closing/end of shift tasks, as assigned by position and manager shift
- Timely escalation of all issues to senior management, including both guest & team member (HR) matters
Management Responsibilities:
- Assist with staff education programming, including preparing training materials and communicating trainings with team members, as assigned by senior management, and assisting day-of training sessions
- Assist with hourly employee hiring process, including reviewing applications, screening candidates, and referring strong candidates to senior management for final interview & hiring decision
- Participate in employee development processes, including providing feedback to senior management for performance reviews, supporting employees, responding to employee questions, and escalating all employee issues or concerns for further action as determined appropriate by senior management
- Participate in bi-weekly management meetings
- Write staffing schedule for review and approval by senior management, according to guidance and assignment by GM
- Be a leader in developing and cultivating a professional and growth-focused positive work environment
- Support team with special projects, tasks, and duties, as required for restaurant operations and assigned by senior management
Financial Performance & Acumen:
- Assist with maintaining restaurant supplies for items/categories assigned by GM
- Follow day-to-day systems set by senior management that may impact financial performance goals for Sales, COGS, Labor, and Comps
- Participate in management trainings as scheduled and assigned by senior management
Qualifications:
- 1 years in a similar role; in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
- Experience supervising a team
- Experience scheduling a team
- Strong understanding of OpenTable
- Efficient, while remaining warm and hospitable
This is an ideal position for someone who is dedicated to providing great service and is seeking to become a member of a hard-working and fun team!
Physical Requirements:
- Lift and move up to 10 pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
- Safely and effectively use all necessary tools, equipment, and cleaning chemicals
- Stand and walk for an entire shift, including moving safely through all areas of the restaurant which may include stairs, uneven, and/or slick surfaces
- Ability to bear exposure to hot and cold environments
If you feel you meet the requirements, are a team player, experienced, passionate, and dedicated to your craft, we want to hear from you! Please reply with a copy of your resume AND a cover letter detailing why you'd be a great addition to our team!
Salary : $20 - $25