Restaurant General Manager

Hospitality Jobs Africa; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A restaurant management company in Pretoria is seeking an experienced manager to provide leadership and oversee restaurant operations. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in fine dining, strong financial skills, and a passion for guest satisfaction. The role includes managing staff, ensuring service excellence, and driving profitability through effective operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in restaurant management, preferably in upscale or fine dining.
• Proven ability to lead teams and maintain high staff morale.
• Strong financial management skills including budgeting and food cost control.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong leadership to restaurant staff.
• Oversee all aspects of restaurant operations.
• Maintain exceptional service standards for guests.

Skills

Leadership

Financial management

Staff training

Guest experience management

Operational excellence

Job description

Leadership and Team Management

• Provide strong leadership and direction to all restaurant staff, including front of house (FOH) and back of house (BOH) teams.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture, encouraging teamwork, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit, train, coach, and mentor staff to deliver world-class service.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee all aspects of restaurant operations, including food preparation, service, cleanliness, and maintenance.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, and occupational health standards.
• Develop, implement, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for opening, closing, and daily operations.

Guest Experience Management

• Maintain exceptional service standards and ensure every guest enjoys a memorable dining experience.
• Handle guest feedback and complaints efficiently, aiming to exceed expectations.
• Monitor and maintain ambiance, decor, and overall atmosphere to ensure a welcoming environment.

Financial Management

• Develop and implement strategies to achieve revenue growth, cost control, and profitability targets.
• Manage budgets, analyze financial reports, and identify cost‑saving opportunities.
• Oversee inventory management, purchasing, and stock control to optimize operational efficiency.

Marketing and Business Development

• Collaborate with the marketing team to promote the restaurant, run campaigns, and drive customer engagement.
• Support initiatives to increase brand awareness, loyalty, and repeat business, including social media, email campaigns, and community engagement.
• Identify and create new business opportunities to drive restaurant growth.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a restaurant management position, preferably in upscale or fine dining establishments.
• Proven ability to lead teams, delegate effectively, and maintain high staff morale.
• Strong financial management skills – budgeting, daily cash‑up, variance analysis, and food cost control.
• Hands‑on experience in health & safety and labour law compliance, SOP implementation, and team training and development.
• Competence in rostering, scheduling, and inventory management.
• Ability to handle guest feedback, ensure exceptional ambiance, and manage project execution (campaigns, specialty offerings).

Desired Qualities

• Self‑motivated, results‑driven, and passionate about food and service excellence.
• Flexible and willing to work rotating shifts, assisting across FOH and BOH during peak service.
• Excellent communication, problem‑solving, and leadership skills.
• Confidence in managing both front‑of‑house and back‑of‑house operations.