Food & Beverage Manager - Ess Defence

Compass Group Australia; Canberra; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Career development

Ongoing training

Employee discounts

Defence sector exposure

Job summary

Compass Group Australia is seeking an experienced F&B Manager to lead hospitality operations at RMC Duntroon. This hands-on leadership role focuses on delivering exceptional customer service, maintaining high standards, and driving operational performance within a major Defence hospitality environment.

You will lead dining services, functions and client-facing delivery, while ensuring food safety, rostering and budget discipline.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in hospitality management, mess management or food and beverage leadership.
• Strong people management, coaching and development skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Sound knowledge of food safety, HACCP and allergen management.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop hospitality teams across daily operations.
• Drive a positive team culture focused on engagement, accountability and service excellence.
• Oversee dining services, hospitality functions and customer experience delivery.
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, food safety standards and service expectations.
• Manage rostering, workforce planning and team performance.
• Monitor operational budgets, labour utilisation and service outcomes.
• Maintain high standards of presentation, cleanliness and operational efficiency.
• Build strong relationships with Defence stakeholders and internal teams.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

HACCP knowledge

Food safety

Job description

• Lead hospitality operations at RMC Duntroon
• Drive team culture, service excellence and operational performance
• Work within one of Australia's largest Defence hospitality environments

We are seeking an experienced and motivated F&B Manager to join our team at RMC Duntroon. This is a hands-on leadership role suited to a hospitality professional who enjoys leading teams, delivering outstanding customer service and maintaining high operational standards.

THE POSITION

• Lead, coach and develop hospitality teams across daily operations
• Drive a positive team culture focused on engagement, accountability and service excellence
• Oversee dining services, hospitality functions and customer experience delivery
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, food safety standards and service expectations
• Manage rostering, workforce planning and team performance
• Monitor operational budgets, labour utilisation and service outcomes
• Maintain high standards of presentation, cleanliness and operational efficiency
• Build strong relationships with Defence stakeholders and internal teams

THE PERSON

• Proven experience in hospitality management, mess management or food and beverage leadership
• Strong people management, coaching and development skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
• Sound knowledge of food safety, HACCP and allergen management
• Experience managing rosters, labour costs and operational performance
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Current driver's licence preferred
• Ability to obtain and maintain a National Police Check and Defence clearance

BENEFITS

• Full-time leadership opportunity
• Career development and progression pathways within Compass Group
• Ongoing training and professional development
• On-site parking available
• Employee discounts, benefits and recognition programs
• Supportive and structured operating environment

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory background checks including a National Police Check and Defence clearance.

ESS Defence delivers the best hospitality and catering services to our Defence personnel. We are committed to providing nutritional and delicious meals to our customers, whether it is in dining halls or out on the field. The work that we do is essential in keeping our Australian Defence Force healthy, comfortable and living their best Defence Life.

We are committed to a fair and accessible recruitment process.