Arthur Thomas
Tanjong Bungah
Summary
Food & Beverage Operations Leader with over 37 years of proven success in driving profitability, service excellence, and high-performing teams within luxury hospitality environments across Malaysia and the Maldives. Recognized for strategic leadership in budgeting, cost control, and pricing optimization, as well as for building strong, service-oriented teams through hands-on training and development.
Adept at leading multi-outlet F&B operations, launching large-scale concepts, and consistently aligning with global hospitality standards. Known for spearheading operational transformations that elevate guest satisfaction and deliver measurable business outcomes. Passionate about curating memorable dining experiences while achieving operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
F&B Operations Manager
Hulhule Island Hotel & Madifushi Private Island
12.2020 - 01.2025
- Company Overview: (4-&5-Star Properties)
- Directed all F&B and kitchen operations across 2 luxury properties, managing 11 outlets with 650+ guest capacity, achieving 15% increase in operational efficiency and revenue margin.
- Oversaw daily operations at Hulhule Island Hotel's high-volume dining venues - Uduvilaa (80 pax), Faru (100 pax), Champs Bar (80 pax), Poolside (90 pax), Banquet (150 pax), and In-Room Dining - resulting in an 18% improvement in service ratings.
- Spearheaded the F&B rollout for Madifushi Private Island's 80 villas, overseeing Bluefin (150 pax), Splash Bar (100 pax), Fahrenheit Fine Dining (30 pax), Mojito (40 pax), and In-Room Villa Dining, boosting guest satisfaction by 22% and reducing food costs by 11%.
- Led successful launch of Seaplane Terminal's lounges and kitchen (670+ pax total).
- Represented brand at ITB Berlin & WTM London 2023, strengthening B2B connections and boosting group bookings by 9%.
- Kept beverage cost at 16% vs. 20% target, saving 4% below budget.
- My hands-on leadership style, combined with a deep understanding of operational excellence and guest-centric service, positions me to drive continued success in any F&B environment.
- I have led comprehensive employee training programs designed to align staff performance with brand standards, resulting in improved service consistency and increased team engagement.
Assistant Director of Food & Beverage
Berjaya Langkawi Resort
01.2017 - 06.2020
- Company Overview: (5 Star Property)
- Oversaw full SOP and budget implementation, reducing food waste by 10%.
- Conducted biannual reviews and KPI alignment sessions, raising staff retention by 25%.
- Managed banquet events for up to 700 guests.
- (5 Star Property)
- Increased guest satisfaction scores from 82% to 94% over 12 months by enhancing service standards and refining the guest experience.
- I have been directly responsible for creating, managing, and analyzing departmental budgets to ensure financial performance aligns with organizational goals. I have successfully developed annual operating budgets exceeding RM2 million, with a strong focus on controlling labor costs, food and beverage expenses, and optimizing revenue streams.
Food and Beverage Manager
Berjaya Penang Hotel
01.2010 - 12.2016
- Company Overview: (4 Star Property)
- Delivered departmental profitability through refined menu pricing and outlet performance tracking.
- Authored SOPs, manuals, and training guides that cut onboarding time by 30%.
- Led FSMS and wine service training, increasing audit scores to 92%.
- Enhanced guest loyalty via guest history program and improved vendor delivery efficiency.
- Successfully hosted and coordinated high-profile events and banquets for up to 1,000 guests, praised for seamless execution and premium service delivery.
Food and Beverage Manager
Holiday Inn Resort Penang
10.2008 - 10.2009
- Company Overview: (4 Star Property)
- Managed 6 diverse outlets; grew guest satisfaction by 13% and profit margins by 9%.
- Instituted FSMS across kitchen departments; achieved audit success with zero major issues.
- Launched Smart Start program for 30+ hires, shortening onboarding by 20%.
- Managed banquet events for up to 500 guests.
- Collaborating with executive chefs and sommeliers to design innovative menus that increased customer satisfaction and boosted average spend per guest.
- Implementing cost-control measures that resulted in a 15% reduction in food waste and improved overall profit margins.
Education
DEGREE IN BACHELOR - BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
SOUTHERN PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
01.2007
Skills
- Team leadership
- Problem-solving
- Operational & Strategic Management
- Policies and procedures implementation
- Staff training
- Project planning and development
- Staff development
- Inventory control
- Performance evaluations
- Operations oversight
- Strategic planning
- Work flow planning
- Health and safety compliance
- KPI tracking
- Cost control
Accomplishments
Successfully led the opening of five luxury food and beverage outlets at a prestigious 5-star property in the Maldives, overseeing the entire pre-opening process—from concept development and layout planning to recruitment, training, and operational setup. Each outlet was curated to deliver a distinct dining experience, aligning with international luxury standards and exceeding guest expectations.
In addition, I played a key role in the launch of a VIP lounge at the Maldives Seaplane Terminal, with a capacity of 200 guests. This included managing the design and service concept, staffing, and implementation of premium service protocols to cater to high-profile travelers. Both projects were delivered on schedule and within budget, significantly enhancing the property’s brand presence and guest experience.
Certification
- Butler Certificate, 2022
- Train The Trainer Certification, 2014
Packages Offered
- Accommodation
- Transportation
- Meals
- Medical
Professional Courses Attended
- Saba Butler, South African Butler Academy
- IOSH - Managing Safely, Room Of Leaders
- Emotional Intelligence, TGH Leadership Management Team
- Business in Action (BIA), Berjaya Corporate
- Train the Trainer Training on Plan Adult Learning, Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 02/27/68
- Nationality: Malaysian
Languages
English
Advanced (C1)
Software
Microsoft Office
Timeline
F&B Operations Manager
Hulhule Island Hotel & Madifushi Private Island
12.2020 - 01.2025
Assistant Director of Food & Beverage
Berjaya Langkawi Resort
01.2017 - 06.2020
Food and Beverage Manager
Berjaya Penang Hotel
01.2010 - 12.2016
Food and Beverage Manager
Holiday Inn Resort Penang
10.2008 - 10.2009
DEGREE IN BACHELOR - BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
SOUTHERN PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
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