Chief Steward

Chief Steward

• Job Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka

• Company Name: Sheraton Colombo Hotel (Marriott International)

Job Summary

Manages daily kitchen utility operations and stewarding staff. Areas of responsibility include dish room operations, night cleaning routines, back dock cleanliness and maintenance, banquet plating coordination, and food running support. This role directly supervises kitchen employees not actively engaged in cooking (e.g., dishwashers, kitchen stewards, and helpers). The Chief Steward strives to continually improve guest and employee satisfaction while managing operations strictly within the department’s operating budget.

Candidate Profile

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED; and 4 years of experience in procurement, food and beverage, culinary, or a related professional hospitality area. OR

• A 2-year degree from an accredited college or university in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Hospitality, Business Administration, or a related major; and 2 years of experience in procurement, food and beverage, culinary, or a related professional hospitality area.

Core Work Activities

Managing Day-to-Day Operations

• Forecast, order, and manage all necessary operating supplies, ensuring utility workers have the equipment, tools, and uniforms needed to perform their jobs.

• Schedule events, banquet programs, and daily shift rotations for the stewarding team.

• Monitor the inflow of ordered stock and oversee the structural maintenance of current equipment.

• Conduct regular, meticulous inventories of china, glassware, and silver.

• Control operating inventories of smallwares, food transport equipment, and food/beverage stocks, reporting any shortages to designated personnel.

• Inspect kitchen work areas, supplies, and machinery daily to ensure total efficiency and strict conformance to standards.

• Enforce correct cleaning routines for all serviceware, specialized equipment, floors, and back-of-house areas.

• Oversee the proper operation, chemical balance, and cleaning of all dish room machinery.

• Ensure all food holding, hot cabinets, and transport equipment are in safe, working order.

• Ensure full compliance with all applicable local laws, occupational safety regulations, food handling guidelines, and sanitation standards.

Leading the Stewarding Team

• Utilize strong interpersonal and communication skills to lead, influence, and motivate staff; advocate for sound financial decisions and lead by example with integrity.

• Supervise and manage employees across daily operations, maintaining a thorough understanding of each role to step in during an employee’s absence.

• Provide leadership, vision, and clear direction to prioritize departmental goals efficiently.

• Monitor and maintain high productivity levels among utility employees.

• Communicate performance expectations clearly in accordance with established job descriptions.

• Build mutual trust, respect, and open, collaborative relationships among team members.

• Celebrate team successes by publicly recognizing outstanding contributions.

• Participate in managing the department’s controllable expenses to meet or exceed budgeted financial goals.

Ensuring Exceptional Customer Service

• Attend operational meetings and communicate effectively with executives, culinary peers, and subordinates to continuously improve resort service quality.

• Manage day-to-day utility flows to ensure brand standards and customer expectations are met daily.

• Emphasize guest satisfaction and continuous operational improvement during all departmental briefings.

Managing Human Resource Activities

• Provide ongoing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting clear performance standards and monitoring output.

• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, selecting, and training new utility staff members.

• Ensure the utility staff is comprehensively trained in food safety procedures, sanitation standards, chemical handling (OSHA/HAZMAT guidelines), and heavy equipment handling.

• Observe service behaviors and provide constructive feedback to team members.

• Review employee satisfaction survey results to proactively identify and address staff concerns.

• Ensure progressive disciplinary procedures and documentation are executed fairly, consistently, and in total accordance with Standard and Local Operating Procedures (SOPs and LSOPs).

About the Company

At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated.

When you join the Sheraton family, you become a member of its global community. We’ve been a place to gather and connect since 1937. At Sheraton, associates create a sense of belonging in more than 400 communities around the world. We invite, we welcome, and we connect guests through engaging experiences and thoughtful service. Join us on our mission to be ‘The World’s Gathering Place’.