Vandross Pillay
Durban
Summary
Senior Catering Manager with expertise in managing high-demand environments and ensuring service delivery standards. Leads, motivates, and develops teams to achieve operational excellence. Implements budgetary controls, maintains quality standards, and enhances client relationships to drive satisfaction.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Catering Manager
Fedics
Durban, South Africa
11.2025 - Current
- Take full responsibility and management of the unit
- Need to be able to work in a demanding environment.
- Setting and management of service delivery standards
- Lead, motivate, train and develop a team of staff
- Implement and maintain operational controls in line within budgetary requirements
- Ensure quality of food preparation, presentation and service is up to standard by meeting all quality star grading standards in all areas of responsibility as per grading checklist
- Ensure all policies and procedures are complied with
- Daily HR and IR issues (including training, development & performance management)
- Analyse and pre-empt client needs and possible complaints
- Take responsibility for all functions by organising, preparing & co-ordinating.
- Management of all administration, finances, debtors, budgets, etc.
- Process paperwork and compile & understand weekly & monthly P & L
- Relationship building with the client and customers on a daily basis (essential)
- Must be able to work long hours and over weekends should there be a need
- Stay abreast of latest food trends and best practices
General Manager
Meondo Holdings
Durban, South Africa
03.2022 - 10.2024
- Controlled 5 businesses within the company Cleaning, Hygiene Pest Control, Property division, Mpilo Money Aid and Sales, New Sales, existing Sales, Costings, Quotations to client, Financial growth and new investment(Sanlan, Fedgroup, Allan Grey), Managing 1500 people across Kzn including Area Managers, Selling of our services to new clients, Grooming and training employees to meet weekly targets, Setting monthly and weekly targets, Weekly report and P&L for each division, Financial Audits conducted by myself, Sars tax compliance, Implent new ideas and purchasing investment property for thr Property Division, Conduct Site inspections, 22 Cash flows signoff for all entities and ensure all bills are paid and repairs conducted, Report Directly to the Board of Directors and Shareholders
- Mentored junior sales executives, providing guidance on best practices and strategies for achieving success in the field.
- Increased sales revenue by developing and implementing strategic sales plans tailored to client needs.
- Facilitated relationships with target accounts through implementation of proven networking methods.
- Leveraged strong negotiation skills to maximize profit margins while maintaining exceptional customer service standards.
- Established long-lasting relationships with key clients through effective account management and consistent communication.
- Conducted thorough market research to identify emerging trends, enabling proactive adjustments to sales strategies as needed.
- Calculated sales commission for sales team of Number representatives.
- Exceeded sales targets by effectively managing a diverse portfolio of products and services.
- Utilized multiple marketing strategies to improve profitability.
- Employed effective problem-solving techniques, increasing client satisfaction ratings.
- Developed customized proposals that addressed specific client needs, ultimately securing their commitment and loyalty.
- Increased property occupancy rates by effectively marketing available units and conducting thorough tenant screenings.
- Oversaw lease agreements from inception to termination, ensuring compliance with local regulations and protecting the interests of both landlords and tenants.
- Monitored tenant behavior and implemented corrective action to maintain order in assigned properties.
- Verified income, assets, and expenses, and completed file tracking sheet for each applicant.
- Coordinated with maintenance staff to ensure timely completion of repairs, minimizing downtime for tenants and maintaining property aesthetics.
- Introduced prospective tenants to types of units available and performed tours of premises.
- Updated property management software regularly to optimize efficiency in daily operations such as scheduling maintenance tasks or tracking rent payments received from tenants.
- Maintained original leases and renewal documents in digital and hardcopy format for property management office.
- Managed multiple properties simultaneously, coordinating efficient allocation of resources and streamlining communication channels to maintain high levels of operational excellence.
- Streamlined rent collection processes, reducing late payments and improving overall revenue generation.
- Established strong relationships with local authorities, ensuring prompt attention to code violations or other regulatory matters affecting the property''s operations.
- Monitored progress of construction and maintenance projects and notified appropriate individuals of project updates, delays, and schedule changes.
- Handled tenant complaints promptly and appropriately, calling in repairmen, and other support services.
- Coordinated with legal counsel to resolve tenant disputes.
- Managed budgetary constraints to maximize profitability while maintaining high-quality living environments for residents.
- Collaborated with real estate agents and brokers to showcase properties effectively, attracting prospective tenants or buyers quickly.
- Trained staff on expected standards and quality of general cleaning, health and safety requirements and equipment operation.
- Established routine inspections to monitor standards of cleanliness and developed and implemented improvement methods to meet evolving business needs.
- Produced accurate and well planned health and safety risk assessments documenting safe work of cleaning staff.
- Conducted recruitment, interview and selection processes to induct new staff in accordance with business policies.
- Evaluated employee performance regularly, offering constructive feedback and opportunities for growth within the company.
- Enhanced client satisfaction with thorough attention to detail in all cleaning tasks, ensuring spaces were well-maintained and presentable.
- Assigned housekeeping staff to specific shifts and room blocks based on abilities and daily requirements.
Bookkeeper
Fedics Catering
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Providing individual administrative duties of accurate profit and loss report on a weekly basis, Deadline driven and attention to detail, Ability to maintain a high level of privacy and confidentiality, Can work cooperatively with other office personnel, Advanced knowledge of Excel, My market and Menutec, menu costings and trading analysis, Intelifin POS systems installation and training staff in the following units: Howick, Hilton Hospital, Victoria hospital, PMB Mediclinic, Crompton Hospital, Previous unit bookkeeping experience: Howick + Coffee Shop, Akeso Umhlanga + Coffee Shop, Rosewood, PMB Mediclinc, APN old age home, Empangeni Hospital, Crompton Hospital, Currently Bookkeeper for the following units: Shifa Private Hospital, Shifa Coffee Shop, Howick Hospital, Howick Coffee Shop, Department of Mental Health(Azalia,Sherwood & Manor), Balance sheet, Age Analysis, Credit & Debtors, Journal entry, Petty cash, Consolidation of all Private Health Care P&L for KZN Region, Budgets and Projections for KZN Private Healthcare units, Ledgers, Pivot Chart, Stock management, Stock takes and placing orders with procurement, Internal audits, Consumption analysis, Submit Profit and Loss report to head office, Reconcile Sales, Generate Client account and invoicing
Host
Fedics Catering
01.2015
- Deal with patient complaints, Take orders for patients on Intel fin Electronic system, Assist bookkeeper in regards to sales and targets, Experience of working well in a multi-functional team
Host
Fedics Catering
01.2014
- Serve patient correct meals at meal service times, Serve teas and menu order, Always maintain a clean working environment, Assist others in their areas of service when required
Waiter
Riverside Hotel
01.2013
- Take orders for customers, Serve meals to customers, Cash up and recon for the day
Technician
Kingdom Aire
01.2011
- Service air-conditioning, Installation of air-conditioning, Repairs of air-conditioning
Education
NVQ Level 2 - Accounting
Kib College
Durban, KZN01-2020
Skills
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Property
Punctual
Accuracy
Management Development
Finance
Auditing
Windows
MS Access
MS Outlook
MS PowerPoint
MS Excel Advanced
MS Word
Filing/Documentation
Event Management
Spreadsheets/Reports
Team Player
Office Management
- Financial management
- Budget forecasting
- Sales strategy development
- Market analysis
- Staff training
- Conflict resolution
- Client engagement
- Performance monitoring
- Compliance adherence
- Data reporting
- Calm under pressure
- Leadership
- Deadline management
- Data analysis
Custom
- Marrion Louw, 0832679154, Catering Manager
- Donald Willson, 0827766387, Catering Manager
- Elizabeth Anne, 0847343800, Catering Manager
- Zarina Kader, 0839422649, Catering Manager
Timeline
Senior Catering Manager
Fedics
11.2025 - Current
General Manager
Meondo Holdings
03.2022 - 10.2024
Bookkeeper
Fedics Catering
01.2015 - 01.2021
Host
Fedics Catering
01.2015
Host
Fedics Catering
01.2014
Waiter
Riverside Hotel
01.2013
Technician
Kingdom Aire
01.2011
NVQ Level 2 - Accounting
Kib College