Assistant Manager

Loungers plc; Harlow; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Overtime pay

Free meals on every shift

50% discount on food & drinks

No uniform policy

Career progression programs

Job summary

Loungers plc is hiring a full-time Assistant Manager at Novo Lounge. This role supports the General Manager, leads a team, and ensures every customer leaves happy. The team values hospitality, care for colleagues, and pride in doing the small things brilliantly.

The position offers a competitive salary, bonus, paid overtime, progression opportunities, and a 48-hour contract (with a 40-hour option). A friendly, growth-oriented environment awaits those who love hospitality.

Qualifications

• Experience in restaurants, bars, cafés or coffee shops as a Supervisor, Deputy or Assistant Manager.
• Ability to manage shifts and cash handling.
• Experience handling customer complaints and maintaining service standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead a variety of shifts (opens/closes/weekends) and motivate the team.
• Coach the team with regular feedback to create a positive work environment.
• Manage rotas, stock, labour, and KPIs to support the General Manager.
• Handle escalated customer complaints with confidence and good judgement, maintaining allergen and safety standards.
• Support recruitment of new starters and help them succeed from day one.
• Be a visible, welcoming host on the floor to strengthen Lounges' local reputation.

Skills

People leadership

Customer service

Team motivation

Communication

Conflict resolution

Job description

We're hiring a full-time Assistant Manager to support the team at Novo Lounge. Part of Loungers, proudly named Casual Dining Group of the Year 2026. With competitive salary, plus bonus, paid overtime and real progression opportunities, this is a great next step for an experienced hospitality assistant manager, deputy manager, or supervisor.

About the Assistant Manager Role

Lounges are pretty special places, and what makes them so special is the brilliant people who run them.

As Assistant Manager you'll be right at the heart of Novo Lounge supporting your General Manager, looking after your team, and making sure every customer leaves happy. If you love hospitality, care about the people around you, and take pride in doing the small things brilliantly, you'll fit right in.

We're a growing hospitality brand across England and Wales with over 300 sites and plenty of opportunity to grow with us. This could be the start of something really good.

What's in it For You?

• Competitive base salary + bonus + overtime
• Permanent full-time role; 48-hour contract (40-hour contract option available)
• Overtime pay for every hour worked
• Achievable bonus scheme, paid twice a year
• Tips shared equally across the team, based on hours worked
• Free meal on every shift no matter the length
• Christmas and Boxing Day off
• Genuine career development with our in-house training courses and 'Step-Up' to General Manager/Head Chef development programmes
• 50% discount on food and drinks from day one. Including alcohol across all our brands (Lounge, Cosy Club, & Brightside) from day one
• No uniform policy
• The most talked-about staff party in hospitality - Loungefest!
• Long service awards - Vouchers/Extra money
• Early access to your pay with Stream
• Emotional and practical support via the Licensed Trade Charity

What You’ll Do

• Lead a variety of shifts (opens/closes/weekends) - from pre-shift briefings and delegating to your team, always engaging and motivating the team throughout
• Coach your team through regular and honest feedback, creating a place people genuinely want to work
• Understand rotas, stock, labour, KPIs (NPS, sales, gross profit) - and know how to support your General Manager when things aren't where they should be
• Handle escalated customer complaints with confidence and good judgement, and maintain allergen and food safety standards across the team
• Support recruitment of new starters and help them feel set up to succeed from day one
• Be a visible, welcoming host on the floor and help build your Lounges reputation as the go-to spot in the local community

What You'll Bring

• A people person who leads by example on the floor and isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves
• Confident running a shift end-to-end, from pre-shift briefs to cash management and customer complaints
• A natural host who helps create the warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes {account name} feel like a home from home
• Community-minded; you get to know your regulars, your neighbours, and what makes Stroud tick
• Experience in restaurants, bars, cafés or coffee shops as a Supervisor, Deputy or Assistant Manager