Assistant Restaurant Manager

Dobbies Garden Centres; Cirencester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Dobbies Garden Centres is seeking an Assistant Restaurant Manager to oversee operations in their restaurants. The role involves managing staff, ensuring compliance with regulations, and delivering exceptional customer service. Join a passionate team in a supportive environment with excellent benefits and opportunities for personal development.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

50% store discount in Restaurants

Access to financial wellbeing support

Support from Retail Trust

Development opportunities through Dobbies Academy

Diverse and supportive team culture

Qualifications

• Proven restaurant management experience required.
• Ability to coach teams for first-class customer experience.
• Experience with stock controls and health & safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee restaurant operation, kitchen and front of house.
• Lead an engaged team to deliver customer service.
• Ensure health and safety compliance at all times.

Skills

Hospitality

Team Leadership

Customer Service

Commercial Awareness

Job description

Our Assistant Restaurant Managers play an essential role in delivering an exceptional experience across our Restaurants – ensuring tasty food, maintaining operational standards, achieving commercial targets, and upholding food hygiene standards, while assisting the Restaurant Manager.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the fast-paced restaurant operation, responsible for both kitchen and front of house
• Lead an engaged team focused on delivering excellent customer service
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations at all times
• Manage stock effectively to minimise wastage and ensure the kitchen is well-equipped
• Support in-store events, including seasonal highlights like Breakfast with Santa and regular fixtures such as Afternoon Teas
• Communicate effectively with central support teams to ensure smooth operations and provide feedback for improvement
• Collaborate with the Garden Centre Management team to ensure a safe, successful, and welcoming environment for colleagues and customers

Who We Are Looking For

• Passion for hospitality with proven restaurant management experience
• Commercial awareness with understanding of budgets, profitability, and sales growth
• Experience managing stock controls and adherence to health & safety regulations
• Ability to identify training needs and coach teams to deliver a first-class customer experience and safe environment
• Adaptability to changing priorities, workload, and regulations
• Positive attitude towards change, leading the team with care and motivation
• Alignment with our values: teamwork, continuous improvement, positivity, passion for gardens, and customer focus

What We Offer

• Generous annual leave entitlement with flexible holiday usage
• Uncapped store discounts: 50% in Restaurants, 25% in Garden Centre, 10% in food halls
• Access to Wagestream for financial wellbeing support
• Support from Retail Trust including confidential support, virtual GP, counselling, and discounts
• Development opportunities through Dobbies Academy and eLearning platform
• A passionate, diverse, and supportive team culture

About Us

Founded in 1865 by James Dobbie, Dobbies is the only garden centre retailer with stores across every UK nation. We celebrate garden living year-round, showcasing our own and branded products, concessions, and services. Many stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop, providing a relaxed environment for customers. We also host community events and support a national charity partner.

We are committed to being a great place to work, encouraging colleagues to be their best, share successes, and work together to serve our customers.