Restaurant Manager & Trade Waiter — Fine Dining

Location: Melbourne CBD & Brunswick East, VIC

Employment type: Full-time, permanent (both positions)

Salary: $80,000 – $120,000 per annum plus superannuation, commensurate with role, skills and experience

Our clients operate a number of venues across Melbourne - Conferre Group (Tipo 00, Osteria Ilaria, Figlia and Grana). The venues are consistently recognised among Australia’s best, and we are known for premium dining service standards: genuine hospitality, refined table service, and deep food and wine knowledge.

Restaurant Manager

Our Clients are seeking an experienced Restaurant Manager to lead front-of-house operations within our group. The role involves ownership of the daily operation of a high-volume, premium dining restaurant and work closely with our chefs and senior leadership team.

Key duties and responsibilities

•Plan, organise and direct the daily operations of the restaurant, including service planning, reservations management and venue presentation to premium dining standards.

•Plan menus in consultation with chefs, and contribute to beverage and wine list programming with our sommeliers.

•Organise and supervise the delivery of exceptional table service; lead service on the floor during peak periods.

•Recruit, roster, train, develop and supervise front-of-house staff, and conduct performance reviews.

•Manage budgets, monitor wage and cost-of-goods targets, and maintain financial records including takings, ordering and stock control.

•Purchase and price goods according to budget; manage supplier relationships.

•Ensure compliance with liquor licensing, food safety, workplace health and safety, and all other regulatory requirements.

•Handle guest feedback and complaints with professionalism, and drive continuous improvement of the guest experience.

Skills and experience required

•A minimum of 2 years’ relevant full-time experience managing (or supervising at a senior level) a restaurant, preferably in a fine dining or premium dining environment.

•An AQF Diploma or higher qualification in hospitality management (or equivalent); at least 3 years of additional relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification.

•Demonstrated leadership of large front-of-house teams in a high-volume service environment.

•Strong food and beverage knowledge, including wine; sommelier training highly regarded.

•Proven capability across rostering, budgeting, stock control and POS/reservation systems.

•A current Victorian RSA (or willingness to obtain before commencement); Food Safety Supervisor certification highly regarded.

Position 2 — Trade Waiter

Our clients are seeking a skilled Trade Waiter to deliver refined, premium dining table service across their venues. This is a senior front-of-house position for a career waiter with formal training or substantial experience in fine dining service, not an entry-level waiting role.

Key duties and responsibilities

•Provide polished, professional table service to premium dining standards, including formal service techniques and multi-course menu service.

•Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the menu: composition, provenance, allergens and preparation of dishes, communicated confidently to guests.

•Provide informed wine and beverage service, including recommendations and food and wine pairing, working alongside our sommeliers.

•Take and relay accurate orders, manage the timing and flow of service, and coordinate with kitchen and pass.

•Set up and maintain dining areas to premium standards, including table settings, glassware and service stations.

•Mentor and guide junior floor staff in service technique and product knowledge.

•Process payments and operate POS and reservations systems accurately.

•Comply with responsible service of alcohol, food safety and workplace health and safety requirements.

Skills and experience required

•An AQF Certificate III or higher in Hospitality (or equivalent formal front-of-house training) together with at least 12 months’ relevant experience; OR at least 2 years’ full-time relevant experience as a waiter in fine dining or premium dining venues.

•Demonstrated fine dining service skills, including formal/silver service techniques.

•Strong wine knowledge and genuine interest in food and beverage; wine qualifications (e.g. WSET) highly regarded.

•Excellent communication and guest-relations skills, with a calm, professional floor presence in high-volume service.

•A current Victorian RSA (or willingness to obtain before commencement).

How to Apply

Please submit your resume.