Restaurant Team Leader

Thwaites; Penrith; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stream - wage access

28 days annual leave

Health cash plan

Employee discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Maternity/Paternity pay

Apprenticeships available

Life assurance

Training programmes

Engaging work environment

Job summary

Thwaites is seeking a Restaurant Team Leader to oversee daily shift execution, guest experience and service standards. You will lead the team from the front, brief the team, manage seating and flow, and ensure smooth operations in a busy dining environment.

You will model warm hospitality, resolve guest issues promptly, uphold health and safety, and support onboarding and training of new starters. The role offers progression within a supportive, dining-focused team.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a restaurant or food-led hospitality business.
• Strong service and guest interaction skills.
• Some experience leading or supervising a team.
• Good communication and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and train others.

Responsibilities

• Lead restaurant shifts, ensuring smooth operations and clear briefings.
• Manage service flow, seating, table turns and section management.
• Deliver warm, engaging service and resolve guest issues promptly.
• Ensure key details such as cleanliness, presentation and stock awareness.
• Support training and onboarding of new starters.
• Maintain health and safety, food safety and allergen procedures.

Skills

Restaurant hospitality

Guest interaction

Team supervision

Communication

Attention to detail

Calm under pressure

Training teammates

Job description

We’re looking for a Restaurant Team Leader to deliver exceptional dining experiences, ensuring the restaurant operates smoothly, efficiently and to the highest standards, always.

Reporting to the Restaurant Manager, as Restaurant Team Leader, you will take ownership of the day-to-day shift execution, service flow and guest experience, leading the team from the front and ensuring that every guest interaction reflects warm confident hospitality.

This role is critical in bring the ‘small details, big difference’ approach to life, across every stage of the dining experience.

Your day to day;

Shift Leadership & Execution:

You will lead the restaurant team during shifts, ensuring smooth and efficient operations, taking ownership of the restaurant in the absence of the Restaurant Manager. You will ensure the team is well briefed, prepared and set-up for service.

You will manage service flow, including guest seating, table turns and section management, maintaining strong pace, energy and control during busy periods. You will also support opening and closing procedures.

Guest Experience & Service Excellence

You will deliver warm, engaging and confident service at all times, ensuring every guest is welcomed and acknowledged quickly.

You will lead by example in great interaction and service standards, creating a relaxed, enjoyable and personal restaurant experience; and resolving any guest issues quickly and professionally.

Small Details, Big Difference

You will ensure key details are delivered consistently including the presentation of tables, menus, linen and crockery. You will ensure drinks are topped up pro-actively and tables are cleared and reset promptly, spotting any issues before they impact guest experience.

Service Standards and Food Delivery

You will ensure food is delivered correctly, promptly and to the right guest, maintaining strong communication between front and back of house. You will support upselling through confident product knowledge and ensure allergens are handles correctly and safely.

Team Support & Development

You will support the Restaurant Manager in training and developing the team, coaching team members on service and product knowledge and helping to build confidence and capability within the team. You will also support new starters and ensure a strong onboarding experience.

Operation Standards & Compliance

You will ensure all checklists and procedures are completed during shifts and maintain high standards of cleanliness and organization.

You will ensure compliance with health and safety, food safety and allergens processes and support stock awareness where relevant to service.

Communication & Team Engagement

You will deliver clear and effective shift briefings, communicating key information from the Restaurant Manager. You will help keep the team motivated, engaged and focused and work closely with the departments to ensure smooth service.

Who are we looking for?

• Experience working in a restaurant or food led hospitality business.
• Strong service skills and guest interaction skills.
• Some experience leading or supervising a team.
• Good communication and organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Ability to train teams at all levels within the hospitality environment.
• Ability to lead from the front with energy and positively.
• Someone who enjoys working with people and delivering great service, who takes price in high standards
• Someone who is reliable and productive and who wants to progress in hospitality.

In return, we are offering a rewarding role with scope for career progression along with;

• A competitive salary, negotiable dependent on experience
• Stream - the ability to access up to 40% of your wages as you earn them each week
• 28 days annual leave (rising to 33 days after 5 years)
• Health cash plan
• Generous employee discounts
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Apprenticeships available
• Life assurance
• Bespoke training programmes accessible to all
• An engaging & supportive work environment