The dining room manager should be responsible for making sure the dining experience, staff performance, service standards, member satisfaction, and daily operations all run smoothly.
Dining Room Manager — Main Responsibilities
- Assign sections and side work.
- Conduct pre-shift meetings.
- Train new employees on service standards.
- Coach employees on performance, appearance, attitude, and attendance.
- Address employee issues and document problems when necessary.
- Make sure staff are where they need to be during busy periods.
- Recognize and reward good performance.
Greet and interact with members regularly.
- Know members’ names, preferences, and special requests when possible.
- Handle complaints professionally and quickly.
- Follow up with members after a service issue.
- Make sure members feel welcomed and valued.
- Maintain the level of service expected at a private club.
Make sure the dining room is clean, organized, and properly set before service.
- Check tables, chairs, menus, silverware, glassware, and service stations.
- Monitor service throughout the meal period.
- Watch ticket times and communication between servers and the kitchen.
- Make sure food is delivered correctly and promptly.
- Coordinate with the chef and kitchen team.
- Manage reservations, seating, special requests, and large parties.
The manager should hold the team accountable for consistent standards such as:
- Proper greeting of members.
- Timely beverage service.
- Proper table maintenance.
- Correct food delivery.
- Checking back with tables.
- Clearing and resetting tables properly.
- Professional language and appearance.
- No unnecessary employee conversations in front of members.
- No cell-phone use while working.
Make sure servers understand allergy procedures.
- Ensure allergy requests are communicated correctly to the kitchen.
- Make sure employees follow proper food-handling and sanitation procedures.
- Monitor cleanliness of dining and service areas.
- Immediately address any food-safety concern.
The Dining Room Manager is expected to maintain a strong working knowledge of wine and beverage service appropriate for a private country club environment.
Responsibilities include:
- Maintain knowledge of all wines currently offered by the club, including varietal, region, winery, vintage, flavor profile, body, price and appropriate food pairings.
- Understand basic wine terminology, including acidity, tannins, sweetness, body, oak and finish.
- Provide confident and appropriate wine recommendations based on member preferences and menu selections.
- Demonstrate proper wine presentation, opening and pouring techniques.
- Understand proper wine storage and service temperatures.
- Train and coach service staff on basic wine knowledge and proper wine service.
- Assist in wine dinners, wine society events and other beverage-focused club events.
- Monitor wine sales, inventory, waste, comps and portion control.
- Understand basic wine cost, pricing and profitability.
- Stay informed about new wines added to the club’s program and communicate changes to the service team.
- Provide professional, knowledgeable and approachable wine service without being overly technical or pretentious.