Restaurant Manager

The Johnstown Estate; Navan; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Johnstown Estate in Navan, Co. Meath, is seeking an experienced Restaurant Manager to lead our dining team, uphold high service standards and drive operational excellence.

You will manage daily restaurant operations, guest experiences and staff development to deliver memorable visits. You will recruit, train and coach team members, monitor food safety and costs, oversee reservations and service flow, and collaborate with management on promotions and events.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Restaurant Manager or similar hospitality management role.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills.
• Passion for hospitality and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of restaurant operations, food preparation and beverage service.
• Commercial awareness and cost control understanding.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to manage priorities and stay composed under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the restaurant team to deliver outstanding service.
• Oversee day-to-day restaurant operations and guest experiences.
• Recruit, onboard, train and coach staff across roles.
• Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene and licensing.
• Monitor reservations, seating and service flow for efficiency.
• Control labour, food and beverage costs and inventory.
• Review performance and provide regular feedback and coaching.
• Collaborate with management on promotions and events to drive revenue.

Skills

Leadership

Guest service

Team development

Communication

Job description

About The Role

At The Johnstown Estate, we pride ourselves on delivering warm, authentic welcomes and creating memorable experiences for every guest. We are committed to polished service, guest comfort and excellence in everything we do.

Our values of Passion, Customer Focus, Teamwork and Integrity are at the heart of how we operate. We are passionate about caring for our guests, developing our people and creating an environment where our team can learn, grow and be inspired every day.

We are now seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Restaurant Manager to lead our restaurant team and ensure the highest standards of service, quality and operational performance.

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident hospitality professional who enjoys leading people, delivering exceptional guest experiences and driving excellence in restaurant operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and develop the restaurant team, ensuring colleagues are engaged, supported and equipped to deliver exceptional service.
• Take responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the restaurant, ensuring a smooth, efficient and welcoming guest experience.
• Recruit, onboard, train and coach restaurant team members, including servers, hosts, cooks and support personnel.
• Set and maintain consistently high standards of customer service, food quality, presentation and overall restaurant standards.
• Create a positive team culture built around Passion, Customer Focus, Teamwork and Integrity.
• Engage with guests throughout their experience, anticipating their needs and responding professionally to feedback, requests and concerns.
• Manage guest complaints effectively, resolving issues promptly while protecting the guest relationship and reputation of the Estate.
• Oversee reservations, guest seating and table management to optimise service flow and the overall dining experience.
• Prepare and manage staff rosters, ensuring appropriate staffing levels in line with business needs, peak periods and colleague availability.
• Monitor food preparation and presentation to ensure consistency, quality and compliance with established standards.
• Maintain excellent standards of food safety, hygiene, health and safety and licensing compliance.
• Monitor stock levels and work closely with relevant teams to ensure effective inventory control, purchasing and waste reduction.
• Take ownership of restaurant cost control, including labour, food and beverage costs and operational expenses.
• Support the achievement of restaurant revenue, profitability and guest satisfaction targets.
• Review sales and operational performance, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, revenue and service standards.
• Work collaboratively with the wider management team to implement promotions, events and initiatives that drive revenue and guest engagement.
• Build strong relationships with regular guests and ensure a personalised, memorable experience.
• Conduct regular team briefings, performance conversations and reviews, recognising strong performance and addressing areas for development.
• Ensure all team members have the product knowledge, service skills and confidence required to deliver an outstanding guest experience.
• Prepare and review operational reports, including sales, revenue, labour, guest feedback and other key performance indicators.
• Lead by example, maintaining a visible and hands-on management presence during service.
• Support the Restaurant Manager and wider senior management team with operational projects and business initiatives as required.

About You

We are looking for a passionate hospitality professional who combines strong leadership with a genuine commitment to guest service.

You will ideally have:

• Proven experience in a Restaurant Manager, Assistant Restaurant Manager or similar hospitality management role.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach and develop a diverse team.
• A genuine passion for hospitality and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to engage with guests at all levels.
• Strong knowledge of restaurant operations, food preparation, menu items and beverage service.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of labour, stock, cost control and revenue management.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a busy environment.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to remain calm and professional under pressure.
• A hands-on approach to management and a willingness to lead from the front.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively with colleagues across all departments.
• A commitment to maintaining high standards of food safety, health and safety and hygiene.
• Flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including evenings, weekends and public holidays, in line with business requirements.

What We Offer

At The Johnstown Estate, we believe that our people are at the heart of our success. We are committed to creating an environment where our colleagues can develop their skills, build their careers and enjoy being part of our team.

You will have the opportunity to work in a beautiful estate environment, alongside a passionate hospitality team, with ongoing opportunities for training, development and career progression.

If you are an experienced restaurant leader who takes pride in delivering outstanding service, developing people and achieving high standards, we would love to hear from you.

Join The Johnstown Estate and help us create exceptional experiences for every guest, every day.