F&B Manager

Bushwise; Hluhluwe; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Bushwise in Hluhluwe, South Africa, seeks a dynamic Food & Beverage Manager to oversee dining, bar, and boma operations within a premium 4-star safari lodge. The role demands hands-on leadership, strong financial acumen, and expertise in menu design, stock control, and high-end service for a global clientele.

As a senior live-in position, the successful candidate will lead front-of-house and kitchen coordination, ensure HACCP and safety standards, and drive memorable dining events while managing

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of senior F&B management experience in a 4 or 5-star luxury game lodge environment.
• A formal hospitality, culinary arts, or food & beverage management degree/diploma is highly preferred.
• Proven competency in food costing, menu engineering, stock control, and strict budget maintenance.
• Exceptional staff training capabilities, rota scheduling, and team management skills for diverse staff.
• Comprehensive knowledge of fine dining etiquette, South African wine pairings, and luxury safari catering (boma dinners, bush breakfasts).
• Thorough knowledge of HACCP, occupational health and safety regulations, and kitchen hygiene standards.
• Valid South African driver's license (PDP a plus), valid SA ID, and a completely clean criminal and credit record.
• Fully prepared to work flexible hours, split shifts, weekends, and holidays within a live-in bush environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily flow of the main dining room, bar, lounge area, spa catering, and specialized bush events.
• Maintain a highly visible floor presence, welcoming lodge guests, managing dietary requests, and swiftly resolving complaints.
• Manage monthly stock takes, minimize beverage wastage, analyze GP percentages, and control operating equipment breakage.
• Partner closely with the Head Chef to design seasonal, high-quality menus and source premium fresh ingredients.
• Conduct continuous on-the-job training for waiters, barmen, and hosting staff to uphold luxury service standards.
• Enforce meticulous cleanliness across all front-of-house dining zones, bar areas, and back-of-house storage facilities.

Skills

Senior F&B management

Leadership

Budgeting

Menu planning

Staff development

HACCP & safety

Education

Hospitality/food & beverage degree

Job description

VACANCY: FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER
Lodge in Hluhluwe is seeking a dynamic, hands-on, and highly experienced Food & Beverage Manager to oversee our dining, bar, and boma operations. As a premium 4-star safari lodge and spa destination, we pride ourselves on delivering world-class culinary experiences that complement our luxury bush hospitality. The successful candidate will manage front-of-house service, kitchen coordination, stock control, and curate exceptional dining events for our global clientele. This is a senior live-in position requiring a passionate leader with strong financial acumen.

Requirements

Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 3–5 years of senior F&B management experience in a 4 or 5-star luxury game lodge environment.
  
• Qualifications: A formal hospitality, culinary arts, or food & beverage management degree/diploma is highly preferred.
  
• Financial Acumen: Proven competency in food costing, menu engineering, stock control, and strict budget maintenance.
  
• Leadership: Exceptional staff training capabilities, rota scheduling, and team management skills for diverse staff.
  
• Standards: Comprehensive knowledge of fine dining etiquette, South African wine pairings, and luxury safari catering (boma dinners, bush breakfasts).
  
• Health & Safety: Thorough knowledge of HACCP, occupational health and safety regulations, and kitchen hygiene standards.
  
• Compliance: Valid South African driver's license (PDP a plus), valid SA ID, and a completely clean criminal and credit record.
  
• Logistics: Fully prepared to work flexible hours, split shifts, weekends, and holidays within a live-in bush environment.
  

Benefits

Responsibilities

• Daily Operations: Oversee the daily flow of the main dining room, bar, lounge area, spa catering, and specialized bush events.
  
• Guest Satisfaction: Maintain a highly visible floor presence, welcoming lodge guests, managing dietary requests, and swiftly resolving complaints.
  
• Financial Oversight: Manage monthly stock takes, minimize beverage wastage, analyze GP percentages, and control operating equipment breakage.
  
• Menu & Supplier Collaboration: Partner closely with the Head Chef to design seasonal, high-quality menus and source premium fresh ingredients.
  
• Staff Development: Conduct continuous on-the-job training for waiters, barmen, and hosting staff to uphold luxury service standards.
  
• Hygiene Compliance: Enforce meticulous cleanliness across all front-of-house dining zones, bar areas, and back-of-house storage facilities.