Assistant Manager

Wildwood Restaurants; Rushden; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Wildwood Restaurants is seeking an Assistant Manager at Rushden Lakes to lead front-of-house with warmth and energy, ensuring exceptional hospitality and smooth service across busy shifts.

You’ll motivate a team, manage events and tastings, and balance restaurant and bar operations with a hands-on approach, while upholding Wildwood’s casual-excellence culture.

Join a supportive leadership team and contribute to a growing brand with strong customer experiences and career growth.

Qualifications

• A people magnet: warm, engaging, and full of charisma
• A natural leader who can motivate and inspire a team
• A hands-on host who works the floor and the pavement!
• Someone with an eagle eye for detail and a passion for perfection
• A pro who can juggle restaurant and bar operations with ease

Responsibilities

• Running slick, high-energy services with genuine hospitality
• Leading and supporting the front-of-house team
• Driving footfall and sales with creative outreach (tasters, engagement, flair!)
• Handling all things people-related – from recruitment and training to team wellbeing and performance management
• Managing stock levels, placing accurate orders, and working with suppliers
• Keeping tight control on labour, rotas, and productivity
• Ensuring all operational tasks (including health & safety, compliance and cash handling) are delivered to the highest standard
• Ensuring every guest leaves feeling wowed
• Representing Wildwood with style, confidence, and passion

Skills

People magnet

Natural leader

Hands-on host

Eagle eye for detail

Restaurant and bar operations

Job description

Located in Rushden Lakes shopping complex, this stunning restaurant offers a truly unique setting for both guests and the team. Renowned for delivering exceptional hospitality and memorable dining experiences, it's a much-loved venue where quality and service are at the heart of everything they do. If you like to be busy - this is the restaurant for you!

You’ll be joining a strong and supportive management team led by Tahmin, the General Manager, who has created a positive culture where people are encouraged to develop, work collaboratively, and take pride in delivering exceptional guest experiences. If you're looking for the opportunity to be part of a close-knit team in one of Northamptonshires most distinctive locations, this could be the perfect role for you.

Here is why you’ll love working with us

• Earn up to £37,000 per year (based on a 42-hour, hourly paid contract including tips (and they really add up!))
• Because you’re paid hourly, every extra hour you work is paid
• Enjoy a healthy work-life balance… no super early starts, no late nights, and closed on Christmas Day
• Work alongside a supportive, experienced, and hands‑on General Manager

Who are we

Wildwood (part of the Bow Street Group) has been doing Italian inspired food, great cocktails, and characterful venues since 2006. Every site has its own look and feel, but one thing stays the same: Casual excellence. Full table service, delivered with flair, confidence, and personality. No scripts. No robotic service. Just great hospitality. With 28 restaurants and big expansion plans for 2026, there’s serious room to grow with us!

We’re looking for a personality-packed Assistant Manager. You’re confident, energetic, and impossible to ignore in the best way. Whether welcoming guests, leading a buzzing service, or handing out tasters to passersby, you’ll embody the Wildwood magic. You’ll set the tone with your passion for perfection, ensuring every shift runs flawlessly both front and back of house. We want someone who demands the best from themselves and their team when it comes to service, cleanliness, presentation, and overall atmosphere. You’re not just good; you’re meticulous.

What We Need From You

• A people magnet: warm, engaging, and full of charisma
• A natural leader who can motivate and inspire a team
• A hands‑on host who works the floor and the pavement!
• Someone with an eagle eye for detail and a passion for perfection
• A pro who can juggle restaurant and bar operations with ease

Your Day-to-day

• Running slick, high-energy services with genuine hospitality
• Leading and supporting the front-of-house team
• Driving footfall and sales with creative outreach (tasters, engagement, flair!)
• Handling all things people-related – from recruitment and training to team wellbeing and performance management
• Managing stock levels, placing accurate orders, and working with suppliers
• Keeping tight control on labour, rotas, and productivity
• Ensuring all operational tasks (including health & safety, compliance and cash handling) are delivered to the highest standard
• Ensuring every guest leaves feeling wowed
• Representing Wildwood with style, confidence, and passion

Our culture

Our culture is shaped by three core values: Creativity - always looking for better ways to do things; Ownership - taking responsibility and making things happen; and Collaboration - working together to achieve shared success.

If these values resonate with you we'd love to hear from you.