James Maina

A hands-on hospitality professional with over 7 years working experience in hotel food and beverage production with a proven track record in superior customer service management, drive in brand, profit maximization and development of human capital. I am purpose driven and highly motivated young individual with an accurate self-image, more interested in teamwork. Looking forward to joining a respected hospitality establishment as a Manager, where excellent performance in food, beverage, housekeeping, front office, guest relations, marketing, control, stocks, finance, maintenance, training as well as managing the hotel operations will ensure customers enjoy quality services and satisfaction in all aspects.

General Manager at Westwind Hotel Meru (2024-01 – Present)

• Leading the overall management of the 110 rooms facility, ensuring the highest standards of service excellence and guest satisfaction.
• I actively participate in the full tendering process including preparing bid documents, collecting supplier quotations and ensuring compliance with tender requirements.
• I approve purchases (within budget) and follow up on supplier deliveries.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and legal requirements.
• Plan and supervise events, meetings and functions to ensure guests receive quality services.
• I prepare management reports for the owners, including revenue performance, expenses, staffing, and operational challenges.
• I oversee property maintenance activities thus ensuring timely repairs and preventive upkeep measures.
• I work on staff training, coaching team members to improve guest service and performance.
• Representing the hotel in business meetings, supplier negotiations and community activities.

Hotel Manager at Meru Paramount Hotel, Meru (2023-04 – 2023-12)

Sister hotel to Westwind Hotel Meru

• Oversaw day-to-day running of all hotel departments.
• Supervised junior staff and ensured proper grooming and discipline.
• Conducted on-job training for receptionists, waiters, house keeping staff and cooks.
• Controlled stock usage, especially food, beverage and housekeeping supplies.
• Helped improve revenue through upselling, pricing adjustments and better service quality.
• I oversaw preparation of duty rosters and monitored staff attendance and performance.
• Managed documentation for licensing, health inspections and compliance.
• Prepared daily, weekly and monthly operational reports for owners.
• Reported faults to maintenance and followed up on repairs.
• Built relationships with corporate clients, travel agents, event planners etc to drive new business.

Assistant Head Chef at Nkubu Heritage Hotel, Meru (2021-01 – 2023-02)

• Supervising the entire heads of operations in the kitchen production unit; Chef Saucier, Chef Entrementier, Rotisserie Chef and Chef Pastrie'.
• Assisting in production of different cuisines, plating and presentation where necessary.
• Assisted the Head Chef in recruitment of kitchen staffs.
• Head of all conferences and duty allocations in production department.
• Acted in full capacity of the Head Chef in his absence.
• Training the junior chefs.
• Compiling new menu recipes.
• Ensuring culinary standards and responsibilities were met for kitchen team.
• Monitoring stocks and making appropriate orders within budget.

Chef de-Partie at Nkubu Heritage Hotel, Meru (2020-05 – 2020-12)

Grasped the most part of my skills during this period.

• I assisted the hotel's Head chef in the food production department.
• Ensured strict adherence in terms of quality and quantity assurance to our clientele.
• Collaborated with other section chefs in menu production.
• Pushed for strict compliance to the hotel's SOPs among other duties.

Commis Chef at Eland Safari Hotel, Nyeri (2017-12 – 2018-08)

• I assisted in basic food preparation and basic kitchen hygiene.

Public Area Attendant at Eland Safari Hotel (2017-10 – 2017-11)

• Main duty was Hygiene and Sanitation oriented, I ensured that the general hotel premises were always clean.

In-Training Attachment Programme at Nkubu Heritage Hotel, Meru (2020-01 – 2020-04)

Introduction to the hotels functional departments and operations in HR management, Hotel accounts, Front office, housekeeping and laundry, Food and Beverage production and service, food and beverage control and Store keeping. The introduction was important in exposing me to real hotel situations and shaping my attitude towards hospitality.

Diploma in Hospitality Management – Mount Kenya University, Thika (2018-09 – 2021-12)

Diploma in Financial Accounting – Alison College, United Kingdom (2024-02)

Diploma in Leadership and Management – Alison College, United Kingdom (2024-01 – 2024-01)

Diploma in Business Administration – Alison College, United Kingdom (2023-09 – 2023-09)

Diploma in Human Resource Management – Oxford Home Study Centre (OHSC), United Kingdom (2023-01 – 2023-01)

Certificate in Computer Skills – Interken Computer College, Nkubu (2022-04 – 2022-06)

KCSE in Secondary Education – Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) (2016)

KCPE in Primary Education – Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) (2012)