Chief Steward

Join The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne as our Chief Steward, where you will lead a dedicated stewarding team that forms the foundation of our world-class culinary and events operation. In Australia’s leading luxury hotel, you will oversee our in-house and outsourced stewarding teams, ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness, hygiene, compliance, and operational excellence are consistently achieved. Set against the backdrop of Melbourne's vibrant dining and hospitality scene, you will play a pivotal role in supporting our Ladies and Gentlemen to deliver seamless service and unforgettable guest experiences, all while upholding The Ritz-Carlton Gold Standards.

Our Ideal Candidate:

• Full working rights in Australia
• A hands-on and proactive leader with prior experience in a Chief Steward or stewarding leadership role within a luxury hotel or high-volume restaurant
• Strong knowledge of chemical handling, WHS, HACCP, and food safety protocols
• Exceptional organisational and inventory management skills
• Ability to lead, coach, and inspire both internal and outsourced team members
• Calm, solutions-focused, and meticulous with documentation and audits
• Flexibility to work across varied shifts, including weekends and public holidays

Job Summary:

• Oversee and coordinate the cleaning of all kitchen areas and equipment in accordance with the hotel’s Food Safety and HACCP standards
• Supervise an in-house/outsourced stewarding team, ensuring alignment with Ritz-Carlton brand standards and operational excellence
• Maintain accurate inventory and storage of cleaning chemicals, supplies, kitchen consumables, and operating equipment
• Manage proper storage, tracking and upkeep of kitchen equipment and crockery, ensuring availability and accountability across all outlets
• Create and manage breakage reports, identify trends, and implement corrective actions to reduce loss
• Keep thorough records and reports for audit and compliance purposes, ensuring readiness for internal and external inspections
• Champion safe chemical handling, WHS compliance and food safety practices within stewarding operations
• Train, develop, and motivate stewarding team members to deliver excellence with pride and discipline
• Collaborate with Culinary and Engineering teams to ensure all back-of-house areas and equipment are clean, functional, and service-ready
• Orders and manages necessary supplies. Ensuring workers have supplies, equipment, tools, and uniforms necessary to do their jobs.
• Supervises dishroom shift operations.
• Manages all equipment, china, glass and silver and ensures adequate clean supplies of each.
• Operates and maintains all department equipment and reports malfunctions.
• Enforces proper breakdown procedures for banquets, restaurants, room service and employee cafeteria.
• Conducts china, glass and silver inventories.
• Purchases appropriate supplies and manage inventories according to budget.
• Ensures employees maintain required food handling and sanitation certifications.
• Comprehends budgets, operating statements and payroll progress reports as needed to assist in the financial management of department.
• Schedules employees to business demands and for tracks employee time and attendance.
• Manages payroll administration.
• Ensures compliance with all Food & Beverage policies, standards and procedures.
• Inspect supplies, equipment, and work areas in order to ensure efficient service and conformance to standards.
• Control inventories of food, equipment, smallware, and liquor, and report shortages to designated personnel.