Cedar Wood Recruitment - Hospitality Jobs
Cedar Wood Recruitment is a specialized recruitment agency catering for the hospitality industry. With over 18 years’ experience servicing our clients we stand out as an industry leader in sourcing superior candidates. Our main objective is to introduce high quality staff to companies in the hospitality sector. We believe in developing and maintaining long-term relationships with our clients as well as our candidates, who are carefully selected to ensure a successful introduction of candidate to client.
Protection of Personal information policy (PoPi)
As a recruitment business we introduce candidates to clients for permanent employment, temporary worker placements or independent professional contracts. The exchange of personal data of our candidates and our client contacts is a fundamental and essential part of the recruitment process. In order to support our candidates' career aspirations and our clients' resourcing needs we require a database of candidate and client personal data containing historical employment information as well as current resourcing requirements. To maintain, expand and develop our business we need to record the personal data of prospective candidates and client contacts. Due to the nature of our business we will never store your personal data for a period longer than 5 years without having meaningful contact with you in this time period. If you have not received any meaningful contact from us or have not accessed our website in the past 5 years, your personal information will be deleted from our systems. Your personal information will not be shared or sold to any 3rd party. Your information is solely used for the purposes of job recruitment.
By applying for a job via the Cedar Wood Recruitment website your CV and Cedar Wood Recruitment profile will be shared with the Recruiter who has advertised the position. We recommend that you remove any non-essential personal information from your CV and Profile. Cedar Wood Recruitment will store your information until you ask us to delete your Cedar Wood Recruitment account or you have not engaged with our services for a period of 5 years or more.
Latest Job Listings
Permanent
Mpumalanga
Posted 6 hours ago
We are recruiting for a Head Ranger - Guide for a Luxury Safari Lodge in the Northern Kruger National Park with a hands-on, guest focused approach.
Key Responsibilities
- Departmental Leadership & Staff Management
- Manage and schedule guiding and tracking rosters.
- Mentor and develop junior guides through continuous evaluation and training.
- Mediate staff issues utilizing a basic understanding of South African Labour Law.
- Conduct performance reviews and alignment meetings for the operational team.
- Guest Experience & Hospitality
- Host high-net-worth international and local clientele during meals and evening events.
- Deliver exceptional safaris including game drives, bush walks, and specialized lectures.
- Resolve guest complaints smoothly regarding wildlife sightings, safety, or routes.
- Safety & Fleet Asset Management
- Enforce strict safety rules regarding Big Five encounters, rifle handling, and off-roading.
- Inspect and maintain the lodge’s fleet of open 4x4 safari vehicles.
- Manage shooting proficiency cycles and rifle maintenance for the guiding team.
- Conservation & Concession Management
- Liaise with reserve wardens regarding environmental policies, fires, and road conditions.
- Monitor traversing rights to ensure ethical and legal boundaries are respected by all guides.
- FGASA Level 2 (NQF 4) Advanced Field Guide minimum; FGASA Level 3 Master Guide preferred.
- Lead Trails Guide
- Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH) qualification with a valid SAPS firearm competency certificate.
- DEAT / NDT Registration as a legal tourist guide in Limpopo or Mpumalanga.
- Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) alongside a valid South African code 8/10 driver's license.
- Valid First Aid Certificate (Level 1 or higher).
- Guiding Experience: Minimum 8 years as a field guide in a Big Five territory.
- Management Experience: At least 3 years in a senior or head guiding role within a 4- or 5-star luxury lodge environment.
- Soft Skills: Exceptional public speaking, crisis management, and diplomatic communication.
- Salary: Market-related salary depending on qualifications and lodge tier.
- Accommodation: Live-in position with fully provided on-site housing.
- Meals: All daily meals provided while on duty.
- Uniforms: Full safari-grade uniforms provided.
- Cycle: Typically operates on a 3-weeks-on, 1-week-off rotation (or similar schedule
Job Features
We are recruiting for a Head Ranger – Guide for a Luxury Safari Lodge in the Northern Kruger National Park with a hands-on, guest focused approach. Key Responsibilities Departmental Leadership &...
Permanent
Mpumalanga
Posted 7 hours ago
We are recruiting for a Senior Front of House (FOH) Lodge Anchor / Assistant Lodge Manager for a Luxury Safari Lodge in the Northern Kruger National Park with a hands-on, guest focused approach.
Key responsibilities include:
Acting Lodge Manager in the absence of the Lodge Manager, take full responsibility for the management of the following teams.
- Front of House:
- Inspire, stimulate and lead the FOH team
- Maintain the Pan FOH system
- Day Sheets / Rooming List / Arrival Report
- Reception, Curio Shop and Switch Board
- Banking, Invoices and Gratuities
- Welcome & Good Bye
- Site Inspections – Show Time
- Guest Feedback – Centricity Feedback system
- Housekeeping:
- Inspire, stimulate and lead the housekeeping team
- Maintain the Housekeeping standards with in the Lodge
- Spot check of rooms & turndowns
- Staff Uniform Control
- Lodge Maintenance:
- Inspire, stimulate and lead the Lodge Maintenance team
- Control and supervise the Lodge Maintenance teams
- Work closely with the Maintenance Manager
- Preventative maintenance service schedules
- Staff Accommodation
- Understanding of building, refrigeration, electricity, air conditioners, gardening, pool care, firefighting equipment & vehicles
- Pest Control
- Work closely with the Reserve Security Manager on the Health & Safety management of the Lodge
- Head up the Lodge Health & Safety committee
- Risk assessments for the Lodge
- Firefighting equipment / drill
- Provide a safe working environment for all staff
- Finance & Budgeting:
- This includes compiling monthly reports, participate in the budget process and managing budget lines.
- Budget expenditure & control
- Monthly finance meeting
- Human Resources:
- Staff development and training
- Staff management
- Staff welfare & staff morale
- Inspire, stimulate and lead the team and maintain discipline
- Manage leave cycles and training files
- Knowledge of food & beverage
- Hosting of guest
- Guest Delight and bush banqueting
- Ensure any negative guest feedback is addressed and solutions found
- Assist Head Ranger / Snr Ranger team with Vehicle Inspections
- Go on Safari to ensure that we deliver on our safari experience
- Minimum 5 years Management experience in a 5-star boutique operation or Big 5 reserve with in a similar lodge environment
- Hospitality management qualification
- Strong Operational and Financial experience
- High Emotional Intelligence
- Hospitality and service training experience
- Room Division Experience
- Practical with some experience in maintenance
- Valid driver’s license and own transport
Job Features
We are recruiting for a Senior Front of House (FOH) Lodge Anchor / Assistant Lodge Manager for a Luxury Safari Lodge in the Northern Kruger National Park with a hands-on, guest focused approach. Key r...
Permanent
Mpumalanga
Posted 7 hours ago
We are recruiting for a Front of House (FOH) Lodge Anchor for a Luxury Safari Lodge in the Northern Kruger National Park with a hands-on, guest focused approach.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Face of the Lodge: Welcome VIP guests, media, and international trade representatives with professional South African warmth.
- Bush Hospitality & Dining: Host international guests for breakfast, lunch, and dinner service, managing complex dietary requirements and fine-dining logistics in a remote setting.
- Conservation Advocacy: Proactively champion and communicate the lodge's conservation and sustainability initiatives through guest engagement.
- Operations Backup: Stand in for departmental heads (Housekeeping, F&B, or Reception) and assume full operational responsibility of the lodge in the absence of the General Manager.
- Admin & Procurement: Coordinate remote stock control, conduct daily room checks, manage local budgets, and execute procurement logs under tight logistical timelines.
- Experience: Minimum 4 years of experience in a world-class 5-star safari lodge or premium hotel environment.
- Soft Skills: High emotional intelligence, exceptional problem-solving skills under pressure, and a natural ability to lead and uplift local staff.
- Technical Skills: Competency in lodge property management systems, financial literacy for stocktaking, and basic administrative software.
- Licenses: Valid South African Code 08 Driver’s License is mandatory, and a PDP (Public Driver Permit) is highly beneficial for guest transfers.
Job Features
We are recruiting for a Front of House (FOH) Lodge Anchor for a Luxury Safari Lodge in the Northern Kruger National Park with a hands-on, guest focused approach. Duties and responsibilities: Face of t...
Part Time
KwaZulu-Natal
Posted 4 days ago
🌿 Job Specification: Head of Gardens – KZN
📌 Position Title
Head of Gardens
📍 Location
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)
👤 Reports To
Chief Executive Officer
💰 Salary
Market-related and negotiable based on experience, starting from R50,000 CTC per month. Additional benefits and package details will be discussed during the interview process.
🌱 Position Overview
A luxury hospitality property in KZN is seeking an experienced, disciplined and hands-on Head of Gardens to lead the full gardens department across the estate.
This senior leadership role covers the day-to-day running, presentation, planning and management of all gardens, including:
🌳 Legacy gardens 🌸 New developments 🏵️ Specialist garden areas 💧 Dams & water infrastructure 🚶 Pathways & guest areas 👥 Garden teams (±20 staff including Garden Manager)
This is a hands-on operational role, requiring strong leadership, planning, scheduling and a commitment to immaculate, guest-ready garden standards.
🛠️ Key Responsibilities
🌿 Gardens Leadership & Operations
- Take full responsibility for daily garden operations.
- Oversee all garden zones, lawns, pathways, dams and guest-facing outdoor spaces.
- Maintain luxury-level presentation standards.
- Lead a team of ±20 staff.
- Ensure planning, scheduling, supervision and accountability.
- Maintain discipline, structure and productivity.
- Deliver work to required standards, timelines and budgets.
- Ensure gardens are always guest-ready, clean, safe and beautifully presented.
- Maintain premium standards for hotel guests, day visitors, spa guests, weddings and events.
- Keep pathways, lawns and features consistently maintained.
- Identify issues proactively and ensure follow-through.
- Collaborate with other departments to support the overall guest experience.
- Prepare daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal work schedules.
- Conduct daily inspections and maintain action lists.
- Report to the CEO on standards, risks, progress and resource needs.
- Coordinate maintenance, planting programmes, irrigation checks and seasonal tasks.
- Use basic systems (email, Excel, budgets, schedules, reports).
- Lead the gardens team with discipline and consistency.
- Manage productivity, conduct, attendance and performance.
- Train, coach and develop staff.
- Support performance management and disciplinary processes.
- Build a culture of pride, detail and excellence.
- Lead by example and be hands-on when required.
- Maintain oversight of plant health and horticultural standards.
- Work with external experts on orchids, grasses, trees and specialist plants.
- Implement approved garden plans and seasonal programmes.
- Translate expert advice into practical action.
- Monitor plant condition and garden health continuously.
- Oversee dams, irrigation and water reticulation systems.
- Work with Maintenance for repairs and technical support.
- Identify and report issues with pumps, pathways, irrigation or infrastructure.
- Coordinate contractors and specialists where needed.
- Manage the gardens department within budget.
- Control spend on tools, equipment, consumables, plants and resources.
- Coordinate external experts, contractors and suppliers.
- Ensure contractor work meets standards and timelines.
- Use resources responsibly and efficiently.
- Ensure safe working practices.
- Oversee correct use of tools, chemicals, PPE and procedures.
- Monitor safety around pathways, dams and guest-facing spaces.
- Support company health and safety standards.
- Minimum 5 years’ practical experience in gardens, horticulture, landscaping, botanical environments, luxury hospitality, lodges, nurseries or large private gardens.
- Proven experience leading garden or operational teams.
- Experience in guest-facing or high-standard environments is advantageous.
- Experience with contractors, suppliers or specialists is beneficial.
- Experience with large gardens or luxury outdoor spaces is highly suitable.
- Horticultural or botanical qualifications are advantageous but not essential.
- Practical experience, leadership ability and attention to detail are more important.
- Disciplined and structured
- Hands-on when required
- Strong, confident leader
- Highly organised
- Excellent planner and scheduler
- Detail-driven
- Guest-aware and presentation-focused
- Practical and solutions-focused
- Comfortable with external experts and contractors
- Strong operational manager
- Calm under pressure
- Proud of maintaining exceptional standards
- Collaborative across departments
- Committed to excellence
- Valid driver’s licence
- Strong spoken and written English
- Basic computer literacy (email, Excel, schedules, budgets, reporting)
- Comfortable in a guest-facing hospitality environment
- Able to work hospitality hours (weekends, public holidays, peak periods, major events)
- Must live within reasonable travelling distance of KZN or be willing to relocate
- Must be available to start as soon as possible (subject to notice period)
- A current CV
- A short cover note outlining relevant experience
- A recent professional head-and-shoulders photograph (no older than 6 months)
Job Features
🌿 Job Specification: Head of Gardens – KZN 📌 Position Title Head of Gardens 📍 Location KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) 👤 Reports To Chief Executive Officer 💰 Salary Marke...
Permanent
Botswana
Posted 6 days ago
We are recruiting for a Regional Standards & Guest Experience Manager for a Luxury Safari Lodge group based in Botswana.
Primary Purpose
To set, uphold, and continuously elevate service and operational standards across the region. This role ensures that all camps align with group and brand standards while maintaining their unique identity through style, service delivery, and guest experience. Workshops, mentoring, and innovation form key components of this position.
Key Responsibilities
Guest Experience & Brand Standards
- Drive an exceptional, personalized guest experience aligned with company philosophy.
- Create, update, and refine brand standards and SOPs across Front of House, Housekeeping, Guest Experience, and Family Offering.
- Ensure clear and focused communication of standards into camps.
- Monitor adherence to standards through observation, audits, and structured reporting.
- Conduct service audits and deliver timely feedback to relevant stakeholders.
- Identify gaps and recommend improvements.
- Provide on-the-ground mentoring, motivation, and guidance during camp visits.
- Collaborate with the Training Department to identify needs and develop support tools.
- Participate in internal and external training trips when required.
- Analyze guest feedback and industry trends to enhance service delivery.
- Develop signature experiences and “magic moments” using a small-effort-big-impact philosophy.
- Collaborate with camp teams, concession managers, food experience teams, and procurement.
- Create fun, unique experiences tailored for family guests.
- Guide camps on correct use of guest gifting and branded materials.
- Assist with monitoring softs and décor asset management when required.
- Contribute innovative ideas to keep guest engagement ahead of competitors.
- Work with the Food Experience team to implement new food concepts.
- Assist with VIP visits and photographic visits when required.
- Diploma in Tourism & Hospitality or equivalent.
- Minimum 5 years’ experience in the luxury travel industry.
- At least 2 years in a similar role.
- Strong understanding of hospitality service and standards.
- Proven management experience.
- Mentoring/coaching experience advantageous.
- Extensive exposure to international luxury clientele.
- Experience conducting service and standards audits.
- Background in brand management.
- Outstanding people skills and communication ability.
- Strong international perspective and cultural awareness.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Keen eye for detail and strong sense of style.
- High energy and enthusiasm for driving guest experience.
- Passion for developing and motivating staff.
Job Features
We are recruiting for a Regional Standards & Guest Experience Manager for a Luxury Safari Lodge group based in Botswana. Primary Purpose To set, uphold, and continuously elevate service and operat...