Restaurant Team Leader

Dobbies Garden Centres; Chester-le-Street; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading garden centre retailer as a Restaurant Team Leader, where you'll play a vital role in delivering outstanding customer experiences. Your responsibilities will include coaching staff, ensuring food hygiene, and driving sales through effective customer engagement. Embrace the opportunity to thrive in a fast-paced environment, all while benefiting from generous discounts and development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

50% discount in Restaurants

Development opportunities via Dobbies Academy

Qualifications

• Experience in a customer-facing role and supervisory experience.
• Ability to work well within a team and build relationships.
• Eagerness to learn new skills and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Supporting and coaching staff while deputising for management.
• Driving sales through customer interactions and promoting membership.
• Ensuring compliance with restaurant operational procedures.

Skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Food safety knowledge

Education

Relevant food safety qualifications

Job description

Our Restaurant Team Leaders play an essential role in delivering an exceptional customer experience across our Restaurants — delivering tasty food, ensuring food hygiene, and mentoring our Restaurant Customer Advisors whilst supporting the management team.

Responsibilities

• Supporting and coaching other members of staff and deputising for management in their absence
• Providing excellent customer service by assisting customers with various transactions across the restaurant
• Working alongside the team to ensure staff efficiency, covering all stations effectively, and maintaining a high level of service
• Driving sales through customer interactions and promoting the benefits of the Dobbies Club membership
• Ensuring compliance with and adherence to the Restaurant Operational procedures, monitoring standards, and ensuring the team follows company guidelines
• Addressing customer queries with high-quality product knowledge, including allergies and dietary requirements
• Maintaining cleanliness and upkeep of the restaurant in collaboration with your team
• Some keyholder responsibilities may be required

Who We Are Looking For

• A passion for food and hospitality, and for delivering a great customer experience, serving everyone with a smile
• Experience in a customer-facing role and supervisory experience
• Relevant food safety qualifications are an advantage but not essential
• Ability to work well within a team, build relationships, and enjoy a fun, successful environment
• Punctuality, professional appearance, and a proactive, hardworking attitude
• Eagerness to learn new skills and gain new experiences
• Thrives in a busy, fast-paced environment
• Ability to demonstrate our values — being one team, continuous improvement, positivity, and a passion for gardens — at all times

What We Offer

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

About Us

Founded in 1865 by James Dobbie, Dobbies is the only garden centre retailer with stores in every UK nation. Our passion for gardens and plants makes us unique. We showcase this through our own brand and branded products, concession partners, and services, championing garden living year-round.

Many stores feature a restaurant or coffee shop, providing a relaxed environment for refreshments and meals. We organize events and experiences to bring communities together and support a national charity partner.

We are committed to being a great place to work. We encourage our colleagues to be their best selves, share successes, and celebrate achievements, making it work for our customers.