Restaurant Manager

Dobbies Livingston; Broxburn; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Dobbies as a Restaurant Manager, where you'll play a vital role in delivering exceptional customer experiences. You will oversee operations, lead a passionate team, and ensure compliance with health and safety standards. Enjoy generous discounts and opportunities for personal development in a thriving, supportive environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

50% off in Restaurants

Access to Wagestream for financial support

Confidential support from Retail Trust

Development opportunities via Dobbies Academy

Qualifications

• Proven restaurant management experience.
• Ability to drive sales and improve profitability.
• Ability to coach teams for first-class service.

Responsibilities

• Oversee restaurant operations, kitchen, and front of house.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Manage stock effectively to minimize wastage.

Skills

Hospitality

Commercial Awareness

Stock Management

Customer Service

Health & Safety Compliance

Adaptability

Team Leadership

Motivation

Job description

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Our Restaurant Managers play an essential role in delivering an exceptional customer experience across our Restaurants - delivering tasty food, maintaining high operational standards, and smashing commercial targets.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the fast-paced restaurant operation, taking responsibility for both the kitchen and front of house operation.
• Lead an engaged team focused on delivering a great customer experience and making it work for our customers.
• Ensure strict compliance with health and safety regulations at all times.
• Manage stock effectively to minimise wastage and ensure the kitchen has everything needed to serve our customers.
• Support the delivery of in-store events, including seasonal highlights such as Breakfast with Santa and regular fixtures like Afternoon Teas.
• Communicate effectively with central support teams to maintain smooth operations and provide feedback for business improvement.
• Work as part of the Garden Centre Management team to deliver a safe working environment, a commercially successful store, and a great place to work for colleagues.

Who we are looking for

• A passion for hospitality with proven restaurant management experience.
• Commercial awareness, including understanding budgets and profitability, driving sales, and improving ways of working.
• Proven ability to manage stock controls and adhere strictly to health & safety regulations.
• Ability to identify training needs and coach teams to deliver first-class customer service and a safe environment.
• Adaptability to changing priorities, workloads, and regulations.
• Positivity in managing change, leading teams through each season with care and motivation.
• Demonstrate our values: being one team, continuous improvement, positivity, passion for gardens, and customer focus.

What we offer

• Generous annual leave entitlement with flexible holiday use.
• Uncapped store discounts: 50% off in our Restaurants, 25% off in the Garden Centre, and 10% off in food halls.
• Access to Wagestream for financial wellbeing support, including early earnings, savings, and advice.
• Support from Retail Trust: confidential support, virtual GP, free counselling, and retail rewards.
• Development opportunities via Dobbies Academy with eLearning and training programs.
• A thriving, passionate, diverse culture committed to customer service.

About us

Founded in 1865 by James Dobbie, Dobbies is the only garden centre retailer with stores in every UK nation. We celebrate garden living year-round through products, concessions, and services.

Many stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop, providing a relaxed environment for refreshments and meals. We also host events and support community initiatives and charities.

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.