Wednesday, 22 July, 2026
Christine Loopstra - Senior Consultant
Stellenbosch
My client, a distinguished luxury wine estate, is seeking to appoint an experienced, service-driven Restaurant Manager to lead the daily operations of its award-winning restaurant. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering exceptional guest experiences, leading and developing the front-of-house team, driving operational excellence and profitability, and upholding the estate's renowned standards of hospitality, food and wine service.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the restaurant, ensuring exceptional guest service and operational efficiency.
- Lead, motivate, train and develop the front-of-house team, fostering a high-performance culture.
- Manage staffing, rosters, performance, recruitment and employee development.
- Drive revenue, profitability and average guest spend while monitoring labour, stock and operating costs.
- Oversee restaurant cash-ups, reporting, stock control and ordering.
- Maintain exceptional food, beverage and wine service standards, including staff training and guest wine recommendations.
- Professionally manage guest feedback and resolve complaints to ensure an outstanding guest experience.
- Ensure compliance with company standards, health and safety regulations, hygiene requirements and operational procedures.
- Maintain the restaurant, equipment and guest areas to the highest presentation standards.
Criteria
- Minimum 5 years' experience as a Restaurant Manager within a luxury restaurant, boutique hotel, wine estate or fine dining environment.
- Proven leadership experience managing a premium, high-volume hospitality operation.
- Strong knowledge of food, beverage and wine; WSET or similar qualification advantageous.
- Sound financial acumen, including budgeting, stock control, labour management and reporting.
- Experience with restaurant POS systems and Microsoft Office.
- Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
- Professional, well-presented and commercially minded.
- Ability to work weekends, evenings and public holidays as operationally required.
- Valid driver's licence and own transport preferred.