Guesthouse Manager

Craven Cottage CC; Welkom; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven Cottage CC operates two guesthouses and seeks an experienced hospitality manager to oversee daily operations, front desk and reservations, housekeeping, maintenance, kitchen and bar, procurement, budgets and marketing. You will lead staff, ensure cleanliness and service standards, optimise occupancy and guest experience across both properties.

The role requires strong leadership, budget control, and hands-on management across two guesthouses with a focus on improving revenue and guest

Qualifications

• 4+ years proven experience in guesthouse/hotel/lodge management.
• Proven staff management and scheduling experience.
• Housekeeping management and high cleanliness standards.
• Understanding of budgets, procurement, stock control and cost management.
• Experience with kitchen/breakfast and bar operations.
• Maintenance and service-provider coordination experience.
• Marketing/online accommodation promotion experience.
• Strong computer, organisational and administrative skills.
• Excellent communication, customer-service and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage operations across two guesthouses.

Responsibilities

• Front Desk operations and guest services at both properties.
• Handle guest complaints, feedback and booking issues.
• Monitor occupancy and identify opportunities to increase bookings.
• Oversee housekeeping staff and daily operations.
• Conduct regular room and property inspections.
• Oversee kitchen and breakfast operations and bar operations.
• Operate / oversee POS systems, daily transactions and cash/card controls.
• Work within budgets and control operating costs.
• Assist with procurement, quotations, suppliers and stock.
• Monitor consumables and minimise wastage.
• Oversee general maintenance and upkeep of both properties.
• Conduct regular inspections and address faults promptly.
• Support marketing and promotion of both guesthouses.
• Maintain online accommodation listings and presence.
• Report occupancy, revenue, expenditure, staffing, procurement, maintenance and guest feedback.

Skills

Guesthouse management

Staff management

Budgeting

Procurement

Marketing

Operations coordination

Communication

Problem-solving

Leadership

Customer service

Education

Grade 12

Formal hospitality qualification

Tools

NightsBridge

Booking.com

POS systems

Job description

Front Desk & Reservations:

• Front Desk operations and guest services at both properties.
• Handle guest complaints, feedback and booking issues.
• Monitor occupancy and identify opportunities to increase bookings.

Housekeeping & Quality Control:

• Oversee housekeeping staff and daily operations.
• Conduct regular room and property inspections.
• Monitor linen, toiletries, cleaning products and amenities.

Staff Management:

• Supervise and coordinate staff across both properties.
• Prepare staff schedules and duty rosters.
• Monitor attendance, performance and productivity.
• Train and guide staff to maintain professional hospitality standards.

Kitchen, Breakfast & Bar:

• Oversee kitchen and breakfast operations.
• Oversee bar operations, stock control and cleanliness.

POS, Budgets & Procurement:

• Operate / oversee POS systems, daily transactions and cash/card controls.
• Work within approved budgets and control operating costs.
• Assist Finance with Management of procurement, quotations, suppliers and stock.
• Monitor consumables and minimise wastage.

Maintenance & Property Management:

• Oversee general maintenance and upkeep of both properties.
• Conduct regular inspections and ensure faults are addressed promptly.

Marketing & Business Development:

• Assist with marketing and promotion of both guesthouses.
• Maintain online accommodation listings and presence.
• Support initiatives to increase occupancy and revenue.
• Monitor guest reviews, competitor offerings and market opportunities.

Administration & Reporting:

• Maintain accurate operational and stock records.
• Report on occupancy, revenue, expenditure, staffing, procurement, maintenance and guest feedback.
• Ensure company policies, procedures and operational controls are followed.

Requirements:

• Grade 12
• A formal qualification will be an advantage
• At least 4+ years proven experience in guesthouse, hotel, lodge or similar hospitality management.
• Proven staff management and scheduling experience.
• Housekeeping management and strong room-cleanliness standards.
• Understanding of budgets, procurement, stock control and cost management.
• Experience with kitchen/breakfast and bar operations.
• Maintenance and service-provider coordination experience.
• Marketing/online accommodation promotion experience.
• Strong computer, organisational and administrative skills.
• Excellent communication, customer-service and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage operations across two guesthouses.
• Valid driver's licence will be an advantage.
• Professional, mature, energetic and hands-on hospitality manager
• Able to manage Front Desk, reservations, NightsBridge, booking.com, housekeeping, staff, kitchen/breakfast, bar, POS, procurement, budgets, stock, maintenance, marketing.
• A strong eye for detail is essential, particularly regarding cleanliness, presentation, service standards and room readiness.
• The ability to lead staff, control costs, improve occupancy and maintain high hospitality standards is essential.