Assistant Manager

Assistant Restaurant Manager – SOKOYA

About SOKOYA

SOKOYA is a new Japanese restaurant in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We are seeking an experienced, dependable, and motivated Assistant Restaurant Manager to join our opening team.

We are looking for a hands-on leader who takes ownership of daily operations, maintains high hospitality standards, supports team development, and ensures a smooth and memorable dining experience for every guest.

The ideal candidate is organized, professional, detail-oriented, and confident in leading a restaurant team in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

Restaurant Operations & Shift Management

● Assist the General Manager in overseeing daily restaurant operations, with a primary focus on front-of-house management.

● Independently supervise assigned shifts and maintain smooth operations in the General Manager’s absence.

● Oversee opening and closing procedures, ensuring operational readiness and proper completion of closing duties.

● Conduct pre-shift meetings to communicate daily priorities, reservations, staffing assignments, and service expectations.

● Monitor service flow, table turnover, staffing levels, and overall dining room efficiency.

● Coordinate effectively with kitchen, sushi bar, and beverage teams to maintain timely and accurate service.

● Identify operational issues, take appropriate corrective action, and escalate significant concerns to the General Manager.

Team Leadership & Employee Development

● Supervise and support servers, hosts, bartenders, bussers, and food runners.

● Assign daily responsibilities and ensure employees complete their duties efficiently.

● Train new employees on restaurant policies, service standards, POS procedures, and guest interaction.

● Coach employees, provide constructive feedback, and address performance concerns.

● Monitor employee attendance, punctuality, professionalism, and adherence to workplace policies.

● Assist with employee scheduling, shift coverage, and staffing adjustments.

● Participate in interviews, onboarding, and employee performance evaluations as requested by the General Manager.

● Promote teamwork, accountability, respectful communication, and a positive work environment.

Guest Experience & Service Standards

● Maintain a welcoming, professional, and attentive dining environment.

● Monitor guest satisfaction and ensure consistent service quality.

● Handle guest complaints, service recovery, and special requests professionally and efficiently.

● Assist with reservations, seating coordination, and high-volume service periods.

● Ensure employees maintain proper appearance, professionalism, and hospitality standards.

● Support guests with menu questions, dietary restrictions, allergies, and special accommodations while following restaurant safety procedures.

● Lead by example and provide hands-on support during busy service periods.

Inventory, Cash Handling & Cost Awareness

● Monitor front-of-house supplies, beverage inventory, and daily operational needs.

● Assist with inventory counts, supply ordering, and receiving deliveries.

● Help minimize waste, unnecessary expenses, and operational inefficiencies.

● Oversee POS transactions, refunds, discounts, and cash-handling procedures.

● Verify cash drawers, shift reports, and end-of-day reconciliation as assigned.

● Report inventory discrepancies, equipment issues, and unusual transactions to management.

● Support labor efficiency by monitoring staffing needs and communicating scheduling concerns.

Cleanliness, Safety & Compliance

● Maintain cleanliness and organization throughout dining areas, service stations, and guest-facing spaces.

● Ensure employees follow food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures.

● Monitor compliance with applicable Pennsylvania alcohol service requirements.

● Verify that required opening, closing, and cleaning checklists are completed.

● Report maintenance issues, safety hazards, and equipment malfunctions promptly.

● Assist with preparation for health inspections and internal operational reviews.

Opening Team & Operational Improvement

● Assist with new restaurant opening preparations, employee training, and implementation of operating procedures.

● Help establish consistent service routines, checklists, and team communication practices.

● Identify opportunities to improve guest satisfaction, staff efficiency, and daily operations.

● Communicate daily operational updates, employee concerns, and service issues to the General Manager.

Qualifications

Required

● Previous experience in a full-service restaurant or hospitality environment.

● Strong understanding of front-of-house operations and guest service standards.

● Ability to lead and supervise a team during busy service periods.

● Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.

● Ability to handle guest complaints and employee concerns professionally.

● Strong attention to detail and a dependable, hands-on work ethic.

● Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as scheduled.

● Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and perform essential restaurant duties, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.

Preferred

● At least 2 years of restaurant supervisory or management experience.

● Experience in upscale casual dining, Japanese restaurants, sushi restaurants, or similar full-service establishments.

● Experience with restaurant openings or new team development.

● Knowledge of POS systems, scheduling, inventory control, and cash reconciliation.

● Pennsylvania RAMP certification or willingness to obtain required training.

● ServSafe Manager certification or equivalent food safety training.

● Familiarity with Japanese cuisine, sake, and beverage service.

What We Are Looking For

We value leadership, reliability, accountability, professionalism, and genuine hospitality.

The successful candidate should be comfortable taking initiative, making sound decisions within their authority, supporting employees, and maintaining high operational standards without constant supervision.

This position requires a manager who is willing to lead by example, assist the team when needed, and take pride in delivering an exceptional guest experience.

Join Our Team

If you are passionate about hospitality, enjoy leading people, and are excited about helping build a successful new restaurant, we encourage you to apply.

We look forward to welcoming the right candidate to the SOKOYA team.

SOKOYA is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $24.00 - $28.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person