Restaurant Manager

Berners Tavern is seeking an experienced, polished, and commercially minded Restaurant Manager to oversee daily restaurant operations and lead the team in delivering an exceptional guest experience. The Restaurant Manager will be responsible for maintaining high standards of service, food and beverage quality, team performance, restaurant presentation, and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate will be a confident hospitality leader with excellent communication skills, strong commercial awareness, and the ability to manage a busy, high-standard restaurant environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the restaurant and ensure smooth service.
• Lead, motivate, and support the front-of-house management and service teams.
• Maintain consistently high standards of hospitality, guest service, and restaurant presentation.
• Create a welcoming, professional, and memorable experience for every guest.
• Monitor service throughout each shift and take action to maintain quality and efficiency.
• Coordinate closely with kitchen, bar, reservations, and management teams.
• Ensure food and beverage orders are accurate, timely, and presented to the required standards.
• Conduct pre-shift briefings and communicate daily targets, bookings, promotions, and operational priorities.
• Allocate responsibilities effectively and ensure appropriate staffing throughout service.
• Assist with recruitment, onboarding, training, coaching, and development of restaurant employees.
• Monitor employee performance and provide constructive feedback and support.
• Prepare and manage staff rotas according to business levels and operational requirements.
• Monitor attendance, punctuality, staffing levels, and shift coverage.
• Maintain excellent knowledge of menus, ingredients, beverages, promotions, and allergen information.
• Ensure guest dietary requirements and allergy information are communicated accurately.
• Handle customer enquiries, complaints, special requests, and service recovery situations professionally.
• Build strong relationships with regular guests and ensure VIP and special occasions receive appropriate attention.
• Monitor guest feedback and implement improvements to enhance customer satisfaction.
• Oversee opening and closing procedures and ensure all required checks are completed.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, organisation, and presentation across the restaurant.
• Monitor stock levels and assist with ordering, deliveries, storage, and inventory control.
• Work with suppliers and senior management to maintain product quality and availability.
• Monitor food and beverage costs, labour costs, wastage, and other operating expenses.
• Support sales targets through excellent service, effective recommendations, and appropriate upselling.
• Review sales and operational performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure accurate use of POS systems, payment procedures, cash handling, and reconciliation.
• Assist with budgets, forecasts, reports, and other financial administration as required.
• Coordinate and oversee private dining, events, group bookings, promotions, and high-volume services.
• Ensure food safety, hygiene, health and safety, licensing, and company standards are consistently followed.
• Maintain effective allergen-management procedures and ensure staff are properly trained.
• Monitor restaurant equipment and facilities and report maintenance issues promptly.
• Promote a positive, professional, and respectful working environment.
• Address employee concerns and operational issues fairly and in accordance with company procedures.
• Develop team members and identify opportunities for progression and additional responsibility.
• Maintain clear communication between restaurant employees and senior management.
• Identify practical improvements to service, efficiency, profitability, and guest satisfaction.
• Prepare or contribute to daily and periodic operational reports.
• Act as a senior point of contact during busy services and manage unexpected situations effectively.
• Support the achievement of restaurant sales, customer satisfaction, operational, and profitability objectives.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Previous experience as a Restaurant Manager, Assistant Restaurant Manager, or senior hospitality manager.
• Proven experience managing a busy, high-quality restaurant operation.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and customer-service abilities.
• Proven ability to recruit, train, coach, and develop hospitality teams.
• Strong knowledge of front-of-house restaurant operations and service standards.
• Good understanding of food safety, hygiene, health and safety, and allergen procedures.
• Experience managing staff rotas, labour planning, and team performance.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of sales, labour, stock, and cost control.
• Experience using POS, reservation, scheduling, and restaurant reporting systems.
• Strong financial and analytical skills with the ability to understand operational performance.
• Excellent organisational and time-management abilities.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to remain calm, confident, and professional under pressure.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to high standards.
• Professional appearance and excellent personal presentation.
• Proactive, hands-on, and commercially focused management style.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining excellent service.
• Reliable, punctual, and professional work ethic.
• Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
• Ability to work effectively with kitchen, bar, reservations, and senior management teams.
• Passion for hospitality and delivering outstanding guest experiences.
• Previous experience within a premium, luxury, or high-volume restaurant environment would be an advantage.

Pay: £25.00-£29.00 per hour

Expected hours: 35.0 per week

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Gym membership
• On-site parking
• Store discount

Work Location: In person