Resturant Manager

ABOUT THE RUSTIC NOOK

The Rustic Nook is a new premium restaurant and bar concept at Lakeside, Doncaster.

Built around a beautiful botanical, secret-garden atmosphere, The Rustic Nook will offer high-quality small plates and sharing dishes alongside carefully selected wines, premium spirits and creative cocktails.

We want The Rustic Nook to be known not only for its food and drinks, but for exceptional hospitality. From the moment a guest walks through the doors to the moment they leave, the experience should feel welcoming, relaxed, polished and memorable.

We are looking for an experienced Restaurant Manager who can take ownership of the day-to-day operation and help us build those standards from the very beginning.

THE ROLE

As Restaurant Manager, you will be responsible for the successful day-to-day running of The Rustic Nook.

This is a hands-on management position. We are looking for somebody who leads from the floor rather than from the office.

You will set the standard for the team, oversee the guest experience, manage service, develop staff, control costs and work closely with the kitchen, bar and owners to ensure the business operates professionally and consistently.

You will be expected to treat the business as if it were your own, taking pride in its presentation, reputation, people and performance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIESGuest Experience & Service

You will ensure every guest receives the standard of hospitality expected at The Rustic Nook.

This includes:

• Leading restaurant and bar service from the floor.
• Creating a warm, professional and welcoming atmosphere.
• Ensuring guests are acknowledged and looked after throughout their visit.
• Maintaining excellent standards of table service.
• Monitoring food and drink presentation before it reaches guests.
• Handling guest feedback and complaints professionally.
• Building relationships with regular customers.
• Ensuring special occasions and celebrations are recognised appropriately.
• Monitoring online reviews and helping maintain an excellent reputation.
• Making sure no guest leaves disappointed where an issue could reasonably have been resolved during their visit.

Team Leadership

The Restaurant Manager will be responsible for creating a positive, professional and accountable team culture.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading, motivating and supporting the Front of House and bar teams.
• Conducting pre-service briefings.
• Allocating sections and responsibilities for each shift.
• Ensuring staff understand menus, allergens, cocktails, wines and current promotions.
• Training and developing new and existing team members.
• Maintaining professional standards of uniform, appearance, punctuality and behaviour.
• Addressing poor performance promptly and fairly.
• Recognising and developing strong performers.
• Supporting recruitment and interviewing when required.
• Managing probation periods and performance reviews.
• Helping create rotas that meet the needs of the business.
• Managing staff levels in line with expected trade and labour budgets.

We expect our manager to lead by example. If the restaurant is busy, you should be visible, supporting the team and directing service.

SERVICE MANAGEMENT

You will take overall responsibility for the smooth running of each service.

This includes:

• Reviewing bookings and expected covers before service.
• Planning table allocations and sections.
• Managing walk-ins and waiting times.
• Coordinating closely with the kitchen and bar.
• Monitoring ticket times and identifying delays early.
• Managing the pace of small plates and sharing dishes.
• Ensuring tables are cleared, reset and turned efficiently without guests feeling rushed.
• Maintaining communication between FOH, bar and kitchen.
• Ensuring opening and closing procedures are completed correctly.
• Completing end-of-shift checks and handovers.

FOOD, COCKTAIL & DRINK KNOWLEDGE

The Rustic Nook will place significant emphasis on both food and drinks.

The Restaurant Manager must develop a strong understanding of the full offering and ensure the team does the same.

You will be expected to understand:

• Small plates and sharing dishes
• Ingredients and allergens
• Cocktail ingredients and presentation
• Premium spirits
• Wine
• Draught products
• Soft drinks and mixers
• Coffee
• Food and drink pairings

You will work closely with the kitchen and bar teams when new dishes, cocktails or seasonal products are introduced.

COMMERCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

This is not simply a service position. The Restaurant Manager will be expected to understand the commercial side of running a successful hospitality business.

Responsibilities will include:

• Monitoring daily and weekly sales.
• Managing labour costs.
• Reducing unnecessary overtime.
• Monitoring stock levels and wastage.
• Supporting stocktakes.
• Controlling breakages and losses.
• Ensuring correct cash and payment procedures are followed.
• Monitoring discounts, voids and complimentary items.
• Helping increase average guest spend through genuine recommendations and upselling.
• Identifying quieter periods and opportunities to increase trade.
• Working with the owners on events, promotions and seasonal activity.

The aim is to deliver excellent hospitality while operating a commercially successful business.

BOOKINGS & TABLE MANAGEMENT

You will oversee the booking system and ensure the restaurant maximises its capacity without compromising the guest experience.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing reservations.
• Monitoring table availability.
• Managing large-party bookings.
• Planning seating arrangements.
• Managing deposits where applicable.
• Reducing avoidable no-shows.
• Managing walk-in guests.
• Ensuring booking notes and special requirements are communicated to the team.

STANDARDS & PRESENTATION

The Rustic Nook has been designed to provide a distinctive premium environment, and maintaining that environment will be an important part of your role.

You will ensure:

• The restaurant is presented perfectly before opening.
• Tables are correctly set.
• Glassware and cutlery are polished.
• Menus are clean and presentable.
• Toilets are regularly checked.
• The bar remains clean and organised.
• Lighting, music and atmosphere are appropriate.
• Outdoor areas are maintained.
• Plants, décor and furniture are treated with care.
• Cleaning schedules are completed.
• Opening and closing standards are consistently followed.

Details matter.

HEALTH, SAFETY & COMPLIANCE

You will help ensure the venue operates safely and in accordance with all relevant requirements.

Responsibilities include:

• Food hygiene standards
• Allergen procedures
• Health and safety
• Fire safety procedures
• Challenge 25 and responsible alcohol service
• Licensing requirements
• Accident and incident reporting
• Cleaning procedures
• Staff training records
• Opening and closing security procedures

Any serious concerns must be reported immediately to the owners.

WORKING WITH THE KITCHEN & BAR

The Rustic Nook must operate as one team.

The Restaurant Manager will work closely with the kitchen and bar teams to maintain communication and prevent a divide between departments.

You will:

• Communicate expected covers and busy periods.
• Discuss unavailable items before service.
• Monitor ticket times.
• Communicate guest feedback.
• Resolve service problems professionally.
• Support menu launches.
• Ensure FOH understands how dishes and drinks should be presented and described.

Problems should be solved together rather than blamed on another department.

EVENTS & SPECIAL OCCASIONS

The Rustic Nook will host private events, celebrations and special evenings.

The Restaurant Manager may be responsible for helping organise and deliver:

• Private parties
• VIP evenings
• Launch events
• Live entertainment
• Seasonal events
• Christmas bookings
• Cocktail evenings
• Wine or tasting events
• Corporate gatherings

You will ensure events are properly planned, staffed and delivered.

THE PERSON WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for somebody who is:

• An experienced hospitality manager or strong assistant/deputy manager ready for the next step.
• Confident leading a busy restaurant service.
• Passionate about hospitality.
• Comfortable managing both restaurant and bar operations.
• Calm under pressure.
• Highly organised.
• Commercially aware.
• Approachable but able to maintain clear standards.
• Confident dealing with difficult situations.
• A strong communicator.
• Reliable and accountable.
• Proud of presentation and attention to detail.
• Willing to be hands-on.
• Interested in food, cocktails, wine and hospitality trends.

Experience within a premium casual restaurant, cocktail bar, small-plates restaurant or similar environment would be particularly beneficial.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

A successful Restaurant Manager at The Rustic Nook will create a venue where:

Guests want to return.

Staff enjoy working but understand the standards expected of them.

Food and drinks are consistently presented correctly.

The restaurant is clean, organised and ready for every service.

Problems are dealt with rather than ignored.

The kitchen, bar and FOH operate as one team.

Labour, stock and wastage are controlled.

The owners can trust that the venue is being managed properly when they are not present.

OUR EXPECTATION

The Rustic Nook is a new business and we want to establish its reputation from day one.

For that reason, we need a manager who wants more than simply a management title.

We want someone who takes ownership.

Someone who notices the small things.

Someone who understands that great hospitality is created through hundreds of details being done correctly every day.

Someone who can build a strong team, maintain high standards and help turn The Rustic Nook into one of Doncaster's standout hospitality venues.

If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.

Pay: £35,000.00-£42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person