Café Venue Manager — Lead, Inspire & Serve

The Navy's Anchorage; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Navy’s Anchorage operates cafés on Royal Australian Navy bases nationwide, delivering hospitality, welfare and lifestyle services to Navy personnel. We are seeking a hands-on Venue Manager to lead our team at HMAS Cairns QLD, overseeing staffing, service quality and financial performance.

Join a purpose-driven, defence-focused non-profit and help maintain high standards, safety compliance and customer experience across a busy café environment while developing opportunities across multiple

Qualifications

• Hands-on venue management experience in hospitality.
• Ability to lead from the front and supervise across service areas.
• Proven track record in staff rostering, supervision and performance management.
• Strong customer experience focus and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and mentor café team to high performance and culture.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, training and performance for staff up to Assistant Manager.
• Run regular team meetings and set clear performance expectations.
• Create and manage rosters effectively, balancing service needs with labour cost efficiency.
• Ensure guests have a welcoming, consistent experience.
• Handle customer feedback, complaints and special requests.
• Oversee daily operations: service delivery, stock, cleaning and presentation.
• Coordinate with kitchen and FOH to ensure seamless operations.
• Monitor sales, labour costs and venue profitability.
• Drive revenue via service, product knowledge, events and upselling.
• Manage budgets, costs and stock ordering.
• Partner with Regional Manager to hit financial and operational targets.
• Coordinate and execute venue events with kitchen/FOH.
• Liaise with Defence stakeholders and senior management.
• Ensure venue health, safety, food handling and security compliance.
• Conduct safety checks and maintain incident records.
• Uphold company standards and Defence base requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Proactivity

Organisation

Financial awareness

Roster management

Sales & events

Customer service

Staff development

Problem solving

Job description

The Navy’s Anchorage operates cafés on Royal Australian Navy bases nationwide, delivering hospitality, welfare and lifestyle services to Navy personnel. We are seeking a hands-on Venue Manager to lead our team at HMAS Cairns QLD, overseeing staffing, service quality and financial performance.

Join a purpose-driven, defence-focused non-profit and help maintain high standards, safety compliance and customer experience across a busy café environment while developing opportunities across multiple