Mess Manager

Ventia; Holtze; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Inclusive team culture

Opportunity to lead Defence support

Meaningful work with safety focus

Job summary

Ventia is seeking a capable Mess Manager to lead the daily operations of a busy Defence hospitality facility at Robertson Barracks in Darwin. You’ll supervise a team, ensure service delivery across dining, bar and events, and drive safety, quality and cost controls in line with contractual requirements.

You’ll report to the Hospitality & Catering Manager, oversee rostering, stock, and HACCP processes while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork and customer service excellence.

Qualifications

• We value leadership, operational excellence and a positive attitude.
• If you're the right fit for the role, we'll provide the training and support needed to gain any role-specific qualifications and certifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a high-performing team to deliver exceptional service outcomes.
• Manage daily operations, ensuring service delivery meets contractual and operational standards.
• Coordinate workforce planning, rostering and coverage requirements.
• Build strong relationships with Defence personnel and key stakeholders.
• Drive a positive safety culture and ensure compliance with SHEQ requirements.
• Oversee food safety, HACCP compliance and quality assurance processes.
• Manage stock control, inventory activities and ordering requirements.
• Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Coordinate functions and events from planning through to delivery.
• Complete cash handling, reconciliations and reporting activities to required standards.
• Maintain a safe, secure and professional facility environment.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Stakeholder engagement

Problem solving

Financial administration

Safety & quality

Job description

Robertson Barracks, Darwin | Defence Base Services

Lead a Team. Drive Operations. Deliver Exceptional Service.

Ventia is seeking a capable and people-focused Mess Manager to lead the daily operations of a busy Defence hospitality facility at Robertson Barracks.

This is more than a hospitality management role. We're looking for a leader who can inspire teams, drive operational excellence, maintain high compliance standards and build strong relationships with Defence personnel and key stakeholders. You'll be responsible for creating a positive customer experience while ensuring the facility operates safely, efficiently and in line with contractual requirements.

If you're an experienced supervisor or operational leader who enjoys leading people, improving processes and making a real impact within a dynamic environment, we'd love to hear from you.

About The Role

Reporting to the Hospitality & Catering Manager, you'll oversee the day-to-day running of the mess facility, ensuring quality service delivery across dining, bar and function operations.

Leading a team of hospitality professionals, you'll be responsible for maintaining service standards, managing resources, supporting compliance activities and fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork and customer service excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support a high-performing team to deliver exceptional service outcomes.
• Manage daily operations, ensuring service delivery meets contractual and operational standards.
• Coordinate workforce planning, rostering and coverage requirements.
• Build strong relationships with Defence personnel and key stakeholders.
• Drive a positive safety culture and ensure compliance with SHEQ requirements.
• Oversee food safety, HACCP compliance and quality assurance processes.
• Manage stock control, inventory activities and ordering requirements.
• Monitor operational performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Coordinate functions and events from planning through to delivery.
• Complete cash handling, reconciliations and reporting activities to required standards.
• Maintain a safe, secure and professional facility environment.

About You

You are a confident leader who enjoys bringing teams together to achieve operational goals. You lead by example, communicate effectively and thrive in environments where no two days are the same.

You'll Bring

• Demonstrated experience leading and developing frontline teams.
• Strong operational management and organisational skills.
• Experience managing competing priorities whilst maintaining high standards.
• The ability to influence, engage and build relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Sound problem-solving skills and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong financial and administrative capability, including reporting, reconciliations or stock management.
• A commitment to safety, compliance and quality outcomes.
• Previous experience within hospitality, catering, accommodation, facilities management, retail, Defence support services or similar operational environments.

Qualifications & Requirements

• We value leadership, operational excellence and a positive attitude. If you're the right fit for the role, we'll provide the training and support needed to gain any role-specific qualifications and certifications.

Why Join Ventia?

At Ventia, we help keep Australia's Defence bases operating at their best. You'll join a supportive team environment where your leadership will directly contribute to service excellence and Defence capability.

We Offer

• Career development opportunities within one of Australia's leading essential services providers.
• A supportive and inclusive team culture.
• The opportunity to lead an important operation supporting Defence personnel.
• Meaningful work with a strong focus on people, safety and continuous improvement.

Find Your Further.

At Ventia, we're proud to create opportunities for our people to grow, develop and build rewarding careers. Discover how far your leadership can take you and find your further with Ventia.