Francois Erasmus
Kendwa
Summary
High profile Luxury Hospitality Manager working in Food & Beverage, Rooms division, Beach/Nightclub management, and Events Internationally. Equipped with a diverse and promising skill set, conducive to creating positive team relationships resulting in optimal customer service.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
ROOMS DIVISION MANAGER
Zuri Zanzibar Resort
Kendwa
10.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: (a Design Hotel)
- Reporting directly to the Executive Director and within the limits of Zuri policies and procedures and local requirements, is responsible for the following;
- Oversee the daily operations and provide functional guidance to the Department Heads (Front Office Manager, Housekeeping Manager, Laundry Manager, Night MOD Managers), Guest relations manager
- In conjunction with the Executive Director assist with the development, implementation and monitoring of the resort’s strategies, business plan, health and safety regulations, security plans, training plan, brand culture, manpower control, budget & revenue plans and capex plans within the assigned departments
- Interacting with the Operations managers, cooperates on the strategies implementations that will ensure efficient guest satisfaction high standards and support team on improvement initiatives
- Personal interaction with guests, especially in case of difficult complaints handling, collecting of the guests personal feedbacks and assuring the positive outcome of guest’s experience
- Supervise the procurement needs of reporting departments, in cooperation with the Purchasing team assure a high quality of suppliers and products in a competitive price are ordered
- Cooperates on the Preventive maintenance plans together with the Maintenance management and Revenue management to ensure the effective use of the Out of order rooms is set
- Supervise the correct Daily room allocations (arranged by the Front office manager) and coverage of the agenda during the FOM absence when needed
- Conduct performance appraisals for direct managers reports and prepare performance development plans to build or address skills/performance
- Address poor performance
- Works with Director of Human Resources on manpower planning and new staff hiring
- Manage staff schedules and ensure adequate coverage for all shifts, including the MOD shifts
- Oversee the resort Reservations team in cooperation with the Director of Sales and Marketing works on the sales strategy development
- Conduct regular training and development sessions for the staff, in cooperation with the HR department
- Works with Director of Finance in the preparation and management of the Department’s budgets, Capex and monthly KPI reports
- To conduct annual Performance Development Discussions with Housekeeping Team employees, to support them in their professional development goals
- Performing MOD Shifts
- Performs other duties which are in line with the position’s skills and experience
- (a Design Hotel)
GENERAL MANAGER (Pre opening)
Royal Saray Resort
Manama
06.2024 - 10.2024
- Company Overview: (UHNW & Commercial property)
- Responsible for the pre-opening project of the Principles new beach club, restaurant and facilities called Al Massarah, 520 pax outlet
- Royal Saray Resort is a private non branded resort for high end clientele owned by a UHNW family of Bahrain
- Liaison with engineering, project management and designers on the status of the project
- Ordering of all OS&E including but not limited to Furniture, restaurant and bar equipment, pool facilities i.e., outdoor furniture, music equipment, housekeeping equipment
- Recruitment of all departments within outlet
- Working with the designer on uniforms and procuring all needs of joining staff members
- Implementation of systems for F&B and creating all SOP'S
- Creation of cocktail and mocktails menus, wine lists as well as liaison with Executive chef on the food menu (Arabic/Mediterranean cuisine)
- Liaison with Quality Director on all training manuals and periodical improvement of staff members through weekly training sessions
- Recruitment of all entertainment (band and DJ'S)
- Sourcing and finalizing staff accommodation
- Weekly MOD shifts
- Managing of current operations in Al Hadiqa pool & Bar, Palm Lounge all Day dining and Havana Lounge
- (UHNW & Commercial property)
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Sailing Club Leisure Group
Phu Quoc
12.2023 - 06.2024
- Responsible for the management of all aspects and functions of the restaurant outlets, in accordance with Sailing Club standards, maximizing profits and minimizing costs
- Responsible for all Restaurant Operations: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Restaurant Team, Bar Team, FOH Team
- Guest Relations and Front of House Management
- Booking System Management
- Sales and Marketing Support
- Revenue Generation
- Daily Operations Management
- Networking and Brand Awareness
- Team Leadership and Development
- Quality Control and Maintenance
- Guest Satisfaction and Service Excellence
- Flexible Adaptation and Problem Solving
PRE-OPENING GENERAL MANAGER & PR/Events organizer for western Community and all tourists
Last Call
Nha Trang
09.2023 - 12.2023
- Company Overview: (Freelance)
- Work with Organizing Manager and planning nights and events for any of our company venues
- Completing a monthly schedule allowing at least 2 weeks’ promotion before any specific event
- Taking full control of marketing and promotions for the Last Call and Project Q team NT will be your assistant
- Working closely with event organizers, performers, DJs and artists to co-ordinate different nights and events
- Building a promotions team and choosing commission-based marketing staff to help with table services and walk ins
- Co-operating with the Project director and the owners in order to develop the brand of Last Call
- Using personal and professional network to introduce the bars to broad range of people
- Employing and managing promotion staff in order to maintain a steady flow of western tourists to the bar
- Ensuring a high level of service is maintained in the bar and ensuring staff look clean and presentable, ordering skills
- Flyer promotion, training staff and show them how to talk to the guests
- Acknowledging competitors in the same market and working to ensure any of the above brands lead them rather than follow
- Acting as an ambassador for the brands to network with various business owners and professionals from within the industry
- Meeting twice a week with owners to share new ideas, strategy and to review the bars performance
- Developing a full customer database with all the western tourist’s companies in NT
- Taking responsibility for Bar is social media content and online marketing
- (Freelance)
FOOD & BEVERAGE OUTLET MANAGER
Casa Boho, Hyatt Regency
Phuket
04.2023 - 09.2023
- Company Overview: Phuket, Thailand
- Administration, Customer service, Financial, Marketing and Operations
- Assists the Executive Chef/Chef de Cuisine with creative suggestions and ideas
- Assists and manage all entertainment, DJ and Live performance bookings, event curation as well as planning of all events
- Liaises with the Kitchen and Beverage Department on daily operations and quality control
- Monitors service and food and beverage standards in the Outlet; works with the Assistant Outlet Managers and Chef de Cuisines to take corrective actions where necessary
- Responds to the results of the Consumer Audit and ensures that the relevant changes are implemented
- Evaluates local, national and international market trends, vendors and other hotel/restaurant operations constantly to make sure that the hotel’s operations remain competitive and cutting edge
- Prepare with the Outlet team, a yearly marketing plan which is the basis of the Food and Beverage Annual Marketing Plan
- Manages costs proactively based on key performance indicators, works with the respective Heads of Department as appropriate
- Handles all guest and internal customer complaints and inquiries in a courteous and efficient manner, following through to make sure problems are resolved satisfactorily
- Spends time in the Outlet (during peak periods) to ensure that the Outlet is managed well by the respective employees and functions to the fullest expectations
- Ensures that the Food and Beverage activities in the outlet are aligned with the respective Corporate Strategy, and that the Hotel Actions have been implemented where appropriate
- Maximizes employee productivity through the use of multi-skilling, multi-tasking and flexible scheduling to meet the financial goals of the business as well as the expectations of the guests
- Focuses attention on improving productivity levels and the need to prudently manage utility/payroll costs within acceptable guidelines ensuring optimum deployment and energy efficiency of all equipment
- Ensures that the outlet is operated in line with maximizing profit while delivering on the brand promise
- Phuket, Thailand
- Left to Vietnam for family reasons
HEAD OF HOUSEKEEPING
Tswalu Kalahari
09.2022 - 04.2023
- Company Overview: South Africa's biggest 5-star luxury private wildlife reserve
- Owned by a prestigious UHNW family
- Head of Housekeeping/ Executive Housekeeper for South Africa's biggest 5-star luxury private wildlife reserve
- Owned by a prestigious UHNW family
- Reporting directly to Head of Hospitality (GM)
- Responsible for all housekeeping operations and property management of 10 Luxury villas, 10 room luxury lodge and 8 luxury tented camps
- Work with our housekeeping team to ensure high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and tidiness in all family areas, and external areas
- Supervising the daily cleaning of assigned tasks (rooms, bathrooms, corridor areas and public areas) while working alongside our staff to ensure the high standards of cleanliness as set forth
- Delegate the schedule of tasks to be completed on a daily basis as well as periodical
- Continuously seek and make improvements to the overall housekeeping functions for the team and ensure all staff performing housekeeping functions are properly trained in technique, quality, efficiency and safety
- Maintain supply levels, orderly supply closets, housekeeping vehicle, & housekeeping departmental budgets
- Pest control and deep cleaning of buildings during slow times and as needed as well as all preventive maintenance
- Regular staff training sessions and meetings as needed
- South Africa's biggest 5-star luxury private wildlife reserve
- Owned by a prestigious UHNW family
EXTERNAL HOUSEKEEPING MANAGER
VVIP Private estates
Fujairah
03.2021 - 11.2021
- Company Overview: (NDA Signed)
- Head of department for External housekeeping and Mobile team at a UHNW VVIP private Estate
- Built the department up from adding SOP's to recruiting and training new staff, reporting directly to the Palace Manager (GM)
- Responsible for all external housekeeping operations and staff property management
- Our mobile team also served in Events, Food and beverage for high VVIP guests of the family, including setup, serving and breakdowns
- Work with our housekeeping team to ensure high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and tidiness in all family areas, and external areas
- Supervising the daily cleaning of assigned tasks (rooms, bathrooms, corridor areas and public areas) while working alongside our staff to ensure the high standards of cleanliness as set forth
- Delegate the schedule of tasks to be completed on a daily basis as well as periodical
- Continuously seek and make improvements to the overall housekeeping functions for the team and ensure all staff performing housekeeping functions are properly trained in technique, quality, efficiency and safety
- Maintain supply levels, orderly supply closets, housekeeping vehicle, & housekeeping departmental budgets
- Deep cleaning of buildings during slow times and as needed
- Special projects for main Principal
- Regular staff training sessions and meetings as needed
- (NDA Signed)
HOUSEKEEPING 7-STAR FORBES STANDARDS
VVIP Private estates
Riyadh
01.2019 - 08.2020
- Company Overview: (NDA Signed)
- Houseman to Houseman Team Leader for a large private UHNW VVIP estate
- Hands on leadership, working alongside the team of housekeepers/houseman on cleaning and maintenance tasks in family, kids, pool and external areas
- Identify and anticipate VVIP's needs and ensure personalized service is provided, and that all requests from VVIP's are made possible and are followed up on
- VVIP Events in undisclosed locations
- Overseeing Housekeeping staff performance on a daily basis and update daily & periodical task lists
- Checking rooms and common areas, including stairways and lounge areas for cleanliness
- Schedule shifts and arrange for replacements in cases of absence
- Undertake other tasks assigned by the VVIP's
- (NDA Signed)
BEACHCLUB MANAGER
Sailing Club Leisure Group
Nha Trang
09.2017 - 07.2018
- Beach/Nightclub manager of a high end, 5-star dining, beach and clubbing establishment
- Fully responsible for the day-to-day operations including guest relations, service, restaurant management, bar and beach
- Coordinate events and artist bookings as well as liaison with our maintenance department on all event planning from decor, installing sound equipment and any preventative maintenance that occurs
- DJ and support artists on big events as well as recruiting and training resident DJs on playlist development and equipment
- Ensure compliance with sanitation and safety regulations
- Coordinating daily restaurant management operations
- Promote the brand in the local community through word-of-mouth and restaurant events
- Organizing promotional bar events and liaison with kitchen and back of house on food pairings and menu creation
- Part of the core operations include staffing, recruitment, managing stock levels; running weekly reports; managing and communicating with staff; and managing sales of events
- Ensure efficient and profitable management of the Beach Club while maintaining the highest level of customer service
- Our 10-day TET beach festival hosted over 20 000 people over 10 days and had a rise in revenue (9.6%) from the previous year, with multiple events throughout the year, weekly beach events with live music, fire dancers and hosting the weekly International Contiki
- (I left Sailing Club due to emergency family reasons and could unfortunately not return in time)
HEAD DJ & EVENTS
Fishbowl Beach Bar
Koh Tao
03.2016 - 07.2017
- Head DJ for one of the top beach bars on Koh Tao Island, Thailand
- Liaison with General manager on promotions, weekly events and recruiting
- Review weekly and daily playlist as well support resident DJs with set curation
- Ensure correct genre of music is played on schedule during the night, take music requests
- Introduce International acts to the club and help with hotel bookings & check-in
- Keep updated with new releases and have knowledge of modern music trends
- Respond to social media interactions when needed
- Present or host sponsored live events
- Mix and playing music at sponsored events
BAR MANAGER
Craft Wheat & Hops
Stellenbosch
02.2014 - 08.2015
- Bar management of a 22-tap craft beer bar & Tapas restaurant
- Creating effective work schedules to ensure that the bar is well staffed during peak hours
- Select music, bands, and provide input on décor, including social media and other forms of publicity
- Working with diverse personalities both on the staff and customers
- Planning promotional events in accordance with brand promotion and liaison with kitchen and back of house on beer & food pairings
- Working directly with the restaurant manager and GM on menu and beverage creation as well as recruiting and training staff to provide excellent service to customers
- Diffusing tense situations between customers or staff members to prevent possible safety or legal issues to maintain a fun and safe atmosphere for all customers
- Managing the business aspects of the bar, negotiating supplier contracts, taking inventory and reordering supplies as well as appropriately delegating tasks to staff
- Use of point-of-sale systems and bar/restaurant management platforms
- (Touch Bistro)
- After leaving Stellenbosch due to a close family member passing, I left South Africa and traveled from 01/2016 to Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia
Education
GED/High School -
High School Vredendal
11.2011
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Social Dynamics
University of Stellenbosch
01.2014
Skills
- Housekeeping Management
- Food & Beverage Management
- Events Management
- Property Management
- Operations Management
- Effective Time Management
- Ability to Work Under Pressure
- Leadership and Teamwork
- Microsoft Office
- Customer Service
- Communication Skills
- Flexibility and Adaptability
- DJ and Sound management
Languages
- English
- Afrikaans
References
- Cable Enstrom, Sailing Club Leisure Group, Nha Trang, c.enstrom@live.co.za, +84 93 558 0205
- Fernando Aquiyama, Fishbowl Beach Bar, fernando@fishbowl.com, +66 98 443 7022
- Stefan Onea, Private VVIP Residence, Saudi Arabia, stefan@vandewall.work, +32 472 53 03 59
- Brigid Crompton, Private VVIP Residence, UAE, brigid@cpf.ae, +971 50 505 7389
- Maggie Archery, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, S. Africa, maggie.archary@tswalukalahari.com, +27 66 186 2044
- Mr. Alex Tszyu, Hyatt Regency Phuket, Alexander.tszyu@hyatt.com, +66 935 742 428
- Wynand Somers, Sailing Club Leisure Group, Phu Quoc, Manager@sailingclubphuquoc.com, +84 81 260 1900
Hobbies and Interests
- Travelling
- Art
- Food
- Sports
- Music Production
- Events
- DJ
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 11/14/93
- Nationality: South African
- Driving License: International (UAE)
- Marital Status: Married
- Visa Status: 5 Year Vietnamese exemption visa
Timeline
ROOMS DIVISION MANAGER
Zuri Zanzibar Resort
10.2024 - Current
GENERAL MANAGER (Pre opening)
Royal Saray Resort
06.2024 - 10.2024
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Sailing Club Leisure Group
12.2023 - 06.2024
PRE-OPENING GENERAL MANAGER & PR/Events organizer for western Community and all tourists
Last Call
09.2023 - 12.2023
FOOD & BEVERAGE OUTLET MANAGER
Casa Boho, Hyatt Regency
04.2023 - 09.2023
HEAD OF HOUSEKEEPING
Tswalu Kalahari
09.2022 - 04.2023
EXTERNAL HOUSEKEEPING MANAGER
VVIP Private estates
03.2021 - 11.2021
HOUSEKEEPING 7-STAR FORBES STANDARDS
VVIP Private estates
01.2019 - 08.2020
BEACHCLUB MANAGER
Sailing Club Leisure Group
09.2017 - 07.2018
HEAD DJ & EVENTS
Fishbowl Beach Bar
03.2016 - 07.2017
BAR MANAGER
Craft Wheat & Hops
02.2014 - 08.2015
GED/High School -
High School Vredendal
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Social Dynamics
University of Stellenbosch
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