Restaurant Manager

Harvest Restaurant @ The Marlborough Boutique Hotel & Vineyard is seeking an experienced Restaurant Manager to lead our front of house team, manage wine programs and help deliver exceptional dining experiences in one of New Zealand’s most celebrated wine regions.

Located within a working vineyard in the heart of Marlborough, this luxury property is surrounded by vineyards, gardens, and some of the region’s most respected wineries. With an exciting expansion underway that will add additional accommodation and new food and beverage experiences, further shaping the property into a unique vineyard retreat. This is an exciting time to join the team.

At the heart of the property is the Cuisine-awarded Harvest Restaurant, where seasonal Marlborough produce and outstanding local wines come together in a refined yet relaxed dining experience. Our guests are a diverse mix of international travellers and local visitors who come not only for the setting, but for the warmth, stories, and genuine hospitality that define the property.

This role will suit someone who enjoys engaging with guests, sharing the story of the property and the region, and leading a team that takes pride in thoughtful, attentive service.

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The Role

The Restaurant Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of Harvest Restaurant and bar, Wine program, ensuring exceptional service, strong team leadership, and a seamless guest experience and works closely with and reports to Estate Food & Beverage Manager.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing the daily operation of the restaurant and bar
• Recruiting, leading, mentoring, and developing the front-of-house team
• Maintaining consistently high standards of service and guest experience
• Managing reservations, group bookings, and special dining experiences
• Managing monthly stocktakes and reporting on inventory and beverage performance
• Preparing staff rosters, coordinating service planning, and leading daily team briefings
• Enhancing the wine and beverage programme while developing the team’s knowledge and confidence in presenting the wine list
• Guiding guests through the wine and beverage offering and supporting wine service during dining experiences
• Being an active and visible leader on the floor during service
• Working within company budgets and reporting operational performance to management
• Identifying daily targets and communicating these clearly to the team to ensure they are achieved or exceeded
• Working closely with other departments across the property to support overall company goals and guest experience
• Maintaining a solution-focused and flexible approach to ensure guest experiences remain warm, engaging, and memorable
• Assisting with special food and beverage initiatives or projects directed by the leadership team

Harvest works closely with many of Marlborough’s wineries and producers, and the Restaurant Manager will play an important role in engaging with these partners and showcasing their wines and products to our guests.

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About You

You will be a confident hospitality leader with a passion for food, wine, and guest experience.

You will bring:

• Proven experience in a Restaurant Manager or senior hospitality leadership role
• Strong knowledge of restaurant operations and premium guest service
• Thorough knowledge of wine, particularly New Zealand and Marlborough wines
• Sommelier certification or WSET qualification desirable, or equivalent demonstrated wine knowledge
• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills
• The ability to lead service confidently in a busy restaurant environment
• A genuine passion for hospitality and connecting with guests
• Proven ability to increase sales performance within your area of responsibility while managing within budgets
• Experience reporting financial and operational performance to management
• The ability to work closely with management across all areas of the property to collaborate and enhance the guest experience

This position is ideally suited to someone who has previously worked within a premium restaurant, winery restaurant, boutique hotel, or luxury hospitality environment.

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Living in Marlborough

Marlborough offers an exceptional lifestyle surrounded by vineyards, renowned wineries, farmers, and artisan producers. With the Marlborough Sounds, national parks, cycling trails, and stunning coastline nearby, the region offers a rare balance of career opportunity and lifestyle.

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What We Offer

• Leadership role within a respected boutique hospitality property
• Close connection with Marlborough’s wineries, producers, and tourism partners
• A supportive and passionate hospitality team
• Competitive salary based on experience
• The opportunity to live and work in one of New Zealand’s most beautiful food and wine regions

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Apply

We are seeking someone who takes pride in genuine hospitality — someone who enjoys welcoming guests, sharing the story of the property and the region, and creating dining experiences that guests remember long after they leave.

If you are passionate about food, wine, service, and leading a team that cares about what they do, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the role.