Maitre d’

Industry:

Company: Zuma

Celebrating 20 years since first opening its doors in London, Zuma is sophisticated twist on the traditional Japanese Izakaya style of informal eating and drinking. Co-founded by Rainer Becker and Arjun Waney in 2002, Zuma has 15 venues globally and 9 seasonal locations.

Featuring modern Japanese cuisine that is authentic but not traditional. The menu showcases a variety of dishes from its three kitchens: the main kitchen, the sushi counter and the robata grill.

Zuma, the brainchild of award-winning co-founder and creator, Rainer Becker, brings its internationally acclaimed style of authentic and modern Japanese food to Midtown, New York.

Zuma offers a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our commitment to taking great care of our team members. Here’s a summary of the fantastic benefits you can expect as part of the Zuma family:

• Health Benefits: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance to ensure your well-being.
• Paid Time Off: Start with 10 days of PTO per year to relax and recharge.
• Career Growth: Take advantage of opportunities to grow your career with Zuma at our locations globally, including in the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
• Global Experience: Work alongside a team with extensive global hospitality and culinary experience, offering you invaluable learning and growth opportunities.
• Family Meals: Enjoy complimentary daily family meals at our restaurant.
• Dining Discounts: Receive a 50% discount on dining at Zuma, so you can savor our culinary delights even off the clock.
• Referral Bonus Program: Earn bonuses for referring talented friends and colleagues to join our team.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Maitre D’ plays a key role in ensuring a smooth and exceptional dining experience for guests at Zuma by overseeing the flow of reservations and seating arrangements. You will manage guest reservations, coordinate seating plans, and lead the dining room team to maintain Zuma’s high standards of service and hospitality, ensuring an maximizing seating capacity.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Greet guests as they arrive, escort them to their tables, and ensure their seating preferences are accommodated
• Manage reservations, including taking bookings, confirming reservations, and organizing seating arrangements to maximize table turnover and efficiency
• Maintain knowledge of menu offerings, specials, and wine selections to provide recommendations and enhance the guest experience
• Oversee and ensure the proper setup of the front desk area, supervising the team to complete side-work and other opening/closing procedures in the absence of the Reception Manager
• Collaborate in printing and updating menus, ensuring accuracy and consistency
• Promote and maintain the highest level of customer service to all guests while staying alert to their needs
• Confer with dining room staff to ensure guests are receiving prompt and courteous service
• Regularly inspect restrooms to ensure they are clean, well-maintained, and stocked with essential supplies such as toilet paper, soap, and paper towels
• Follow Zuma’s service standards and protocols, including uniform guidelines, grooming standards, and service etiquette
• Attend pre-shift meetings and training sessions to stay informed about menu changes, specials, and promotions, and to enhance product knowledge and service skills
• Operate ethically to protect the image of the company
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as required or requested

JOB KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

• Previous experience as a Maitre D’ or similar role in a high-end restaurant, hotel, or hospitality establishment
• Experience working with SevenRooms or other reservation systems preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel, with the ability to efficiently manage documents
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with guests in a friendly and professional manner
• Attention to detail and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, while maintaining a high level of accuracy and efficiency
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, supporting colleagues and contributing to a positive work environment
• Must adhere to uniform requirement
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to perform the essential job functions consistent safely and successfully with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs; Ability to stand for prolong periods of time and climb steps regularly
• Ability to physically maneuver through work areas; bend, lift, carry, reach/extend arms, and hands above shoulder height frequently, or otherwise move in a constantly changing environment

Zuma is an equal opportunity employer.