Duty Manager

Ox and Finch is seeking a confident, organised, and customer-focused Duty Manager to oversee restaurant operations during assigned shifts and ensure consistently high standards of service, hospitality, and team performance. The Duty Manager will act as a key leader on the restaurant floor, supporting staff, coordinating with the kitchen and bar, resolving guest concerns, and ensuring smooth and efficient service. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, excellent communication abilities, and the confidence to make effective decisions in a fast-paced restaurant environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Take responsibility for the smooth operation of the restaurant during assigned shifts.
• Lead and supervise front-of-house staff throughout service.
• Ensure guests receive friendly, attentive, and professional hospitality.
• Monitor service standards and take immediate action when improvements are required.
• Coordinate effectively with kitchen, bar, and front-of-house teams.
• Ensure food and beverage orders are accurate, timely, and presented to the required standard.
• Conduct pre-shift briefings and communicate daily priorities, bookings, promotions, and service expectations.
• Allocate tasks and responsibilities to team members during each shift.
• Support and motivate employees to deliver consistently high performance.
• Assist with staff training, coaching, onboarding, and development.
• Provide constructive feedback to team members and report performance concerns to senior management.
• Monitor staffing levels and help manage shift coverage when required.
• Welcome guests and maintain a warm and professional dining environment.
• Handle customer enquiries, special requests, complaints, and service recovery situations.
• Resolve guest issues promptly and escalate significant matters to the General Manager or senior management.
• Maintain detailed knowledge of menus, ingredients, beverages, allergens, and dietary requirements.
• Ensure allergy and dietary information is communicated accurately between guests and the kitchen.
• Monitor the presentation, cleanliness, and organisation of the restaurant throughout service.
• Ensure tables, service stations, dining areas, and guest facilities are maintained to a high standard.
• Complete opening and closing procedures and ensure all operational checks are carried out.
• Monitor stock levels and report shortages, delivery issues, or wastage to management.
• Assist with stock checks, deliveries, storage, and stock rotation where required.
• Operate the POS system and ensure payments, refunds, and transactions are handled correctly.
• Follow cash-handling procedures and assist with end-of-shift reconciliation.
• Support sales performance through excellent service and appropriate upselling.
• Monitor customer feedback and identify opportunities to improve the guest experience.
• Assist with events, private bookings, promotions, and high-volume service periods.
• Ensure employees follow food safety, hygiene, health and safety, and company procedures.
• Report equipment, maintenance, safety, or operational problems promptly.
• Maintain a positive, respectful, and professional working environment.
• Communicate important shift information and operational issues clearly to senior management.
• Complete relevant shift reports, checklists, and administrative duties.
• Take appropriate action during unexpected operational challenges or emergencies.
• Ensure company policies, procedures, and service standards are consistently followed.
• Identify practical ways to improve service efficiency and overall restaurant performance.
• Act as the senior point of contact for staff and guests during assigned shifts.
• Support the management team in achieving customer satisfaction, sales, and operational targets.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Previous experience in a restaurant, hospitality, hotel, bar, or similar customer-service environment.
• Previous experience as a Duty Manager, Supervisor, Team Leader, or Senior Front-of-House professional is preferred.
• Strong leadership and team-management abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Friendly, confident, and professional approach to customer service.
• Strong knowledge of restaurant operations and service standards.
• Ability to lead a team effectively during busy and high-pressure periods.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Good organisational and time-management abilities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Knowledge of food safety, hygiene, health and safety, and allergen procedures.
• Comfortable using POS systems and handling customer payments.
• Ability to manage customer complaints calmly and professionally.
• Strong ability to prioritise tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Reliable, punctual, and responsible work ethic.
• Positive attitude and hands-on approach to hospitality.
• Ability to work collaboratively with kitchen, bar, and front-of-house teams.
• Professional personal presentation and confident manner.
• Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
• Ability to remain calm and composed when dealing with unexpected situations.
• Passion for hospitality and delivering high-quality guest experiences.
• Previous experience in a busy or premium restaurant environment would be an advantage.

Pay: £23.00-£29.00 per hour

Expected hours: 34.0 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Childcare
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Employee mentoring programme
• Financial planning services
• Free fitness classes
• Free or subsidised travel
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Private dental insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Referral programme
• UK visa sponsorship

Work Location: In person