International VIP Café, Catering Server \& Barista (Proficient English Required, Portuguese is helpful)

Company: — One of Portugal’s Top 5 Catering Companies

Location: Portugal primarily Oeiras/Carcavelos, sometimes, Lisbon/Greater Lisbon, Cascais \& Sintra

Schedule: 07:00–17:00, Monday–Friday, Part-time or Full-time opportunities with occasional weekends and public holidays based on VIP client requirements

Contract: 9 Month Term initially with opportunities for longer contract extension when key performance goals are met. This role is designed for someone who wants stability for at least 9–12 months.

Start Date: Immediately for the right candidate.

About Us

A Diplomata delivers premium, full-service catering for high-profile corporate, government and VIP events across Portugal since 2016\. Our reputation is built on excellence, discretion, and exceptional guest experience. If you take pride in world-class service, thrive in multicultural environments, and want to work with a top-tier team, this role is for you.

The Role

This is primarily an English speaking role. As a VIP Café, Catering Server \& Barista, you will support a breakfast and lunch café, full-service event execution at least once a week—setup, guest service, and breakdown—ensuring every attendee receives a professional, polished, and high-quality experience. This is a client-facing role in a fast-paced environment where speed with high quality standards, presentation, and attitude matter every day.

Attitude We Are Seeking

We are building a high-standard, service-driven team. The attitude matters as much as the technical skill.

We are looking for someone who takes ownership without being asked. You notice details. You fix what needs fixing. You do not wait for instructions when something is clearly within your responsibility. You hold yourself to a professional standard, even when the pressure rises.

You bring a genuine service mindset. You understand that hospitality is not just completing tasks, it is presence, tone, awareness, and consistency. You communicate clearly and respectfully with colleagues. You support the team without keeping score. You do not contribute to drama. You contribute to solutions.

You are accountable. If something goes wrong, you raise it early and help solve it. You respect structure, compliance, and operational standards. Reliability and discipline are non-negotiable for you.

You are also growth-oriented. You are coachable and open to feedback. You want to refine your skills and operate at a premium level. Punctuality, preparation, and consistency matter to you.

Finally, you are open and flexible to being cross-trained across different responsibilities within the operation. You understand that strong teams are adaptable. You are willing to learn new stations, support other functions when required, and expand your capability to strengthen the overall service delivery.

If you are looking for “just a shift,” this is not the right role.

If you are looking to operate with professionalism, accountability, and growth, we would like to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

You will be expected to consistently deliver high-performance service in VIP environments, including:

* Provide primarily on-site cafe services and catered events as needed for VIP and corporate events (formal, semi-formal and business casual service styles)
* Reliability \& Punctuality: Consistently arrive on time and prepared for scheduled shifts. Reliability is a core requirement of this role. Team operations and client service depend on punctual attendance and professional time management.
* Welcome guests warmly and present menus, offering guidance and answering any questions about food and beverages.
* Take orders accurately and serve food and drinks with attention to detail and A Diplomata standards.
* Personalize each guest experience by anticipating needs and exceeding expectations.
* Process payments efficiently and correctly.
* Ensure proper mise-en-place and cleanliness in the dining area.
* Follow health, hygiene, and safety regulations at all times.
* Support the team with day-to-day operations and assist in other tasks as assigned by management (restocking product, purchasing, shopping, etc.).
* Relay customer feedback and suggestions to supervisors for continuous improvement.
* Event setup and breakdown: tables, linens, service stations, buffet lines, beverage stations, and venue reset
* Guest service: greet, serve, clear, and maintain a clean, organized service environment throughout the event
* Food \& beverage handling: serve safely, hygienically, and according to service standards
* Coffee/Bar support (desired): assist with coffee bar operations when required (espresso-based service a plus)
* Maintain professionalism, courtesy, and respectful conduct at all times
* Work effectively under time pressure while remaining calm, positive, and service-minded
* Follow all client/site rules, including security, confidentiality, and VIP protocols
* Maintain a neat, clean, and customer-focused presentation and workspace

Required Qualifications (Must-Have)

Applicants must meet all the following:

* Education: Equivalent of a high school diploma or higher
* Languages: Fluent spoken and written English. Portuguese is a plus (other languages a plus)
* Experience: Desired 1-2 years of proven experience as a cafe and/or catering server (event service, setup, cleanup) or similar role. Hospitality school students are encouraged to apply.
* 6 -12 months experience as a barista
* Professional standards: Mature, reliable, service-minded, conscientious, detail-oriented, and guest-focused
* Solid knowledge of food and beverage service.
* Awareness of food handling, hygiene, and safety regulations.
* Proactive, positive, and team-oriented attitude.
* Availability: Willing and able to work 07:00–17:00 Monday–Friday, plus some weekends and holidays when required by the clients
* Legal compliance (contract/client requirement):
* Provide a valid Certificado do Registo Criminal issued by the Portuguese Ministry of Justice, dated within the last 12 months, showing no relevant criminal convictions for the scope of duties
* Hold all legally required work authorization / permits / certificates necessary to perform the job in Portugal
* Citizen of a NATO Member Nation (required due to client/site eligibility and access requirements)

Preferred (Nice-to-Have)

These are strong advantages but not mandatory:

* Barista / coffee bar skills, including espresso-based service
* Experience with VIP protocol, corporate hospitality, embassy, government, or high-security venues
* Knowledge of service styles (buffet, plated, cocktail, silver service)
* Wine, beverage, or basic bar service competence
* A valid Portuguese or International driver’s license
* Your own transportation(car, motorcycle or moped)

What Success Looks Like (Performance Standards)

Top performers in this role:

* Arrive prepared, uniform-ready, and on-time—every time
* Deliver consistent service quality under pressure
* Anticipate guest needs without being intrusive
* Keep stations immaculate and service flow smooth
* Communicate clearly with supervisors and teammates in a multicultural environment
* Protect client confidentiality and uphold premium brand standards
* Open-minded, and humble. Willing to learn and continuously improve

What We Offer

* Competitive compensation aligned with premium hospitality standards
* Stable weekday schedule with paid additional shifts when events require
* Training in VIP service standards and multicultural guest experience
* Growth opportunities into team lead / supervisor roles for top performers
* Professional environment, high-quality events, and a strong operations team
* Opportunity to advance your career

How to Apply:

* Start the online application process here by answering the questions at https://tally.so/r/1Akvab
* Upload your CV (Portuguese or English) during the online application process https://tally.so/r/1Akvab
* Upload your cover letter during the online application process https://tally.so/r/1Akvab
* Summary of relevant VIP/event experience (2–5 bullet points is fine) for the cover letter
* The online application process includes confirmation of:
* English \+ Portuguese fluency levels
* Experience level in catering/event waiter/waitress experience
* Availability for 07:00–17:00 schedule \+ occasional weekends/holidays
* Ability to provide the Registo Criminal (validity within 90 days)
* NATO Member Nation citizenship (client/site requirement)Please note:

To ensure a fair and efficient review process, we kindly ask that applicants do not contact us by phone or email regarding this position. Due to the high volume of applications, only submissions made through the official application channel will be reviewed.

Equal Opportunity \& Data PrivacyA Diplomata hires based on merit, professionalism, and role requirements. Applicant data will be handled in accordance with applicable GDPR data protection standards.

Pagamento: 920,00€ - 1 000,00€ por mês

Benefícios:

* Cartão/Ticket refeição
* Subsídio de transporte

Localização do trabalho: Presencial