We are recruiting for a Family Restaurant situated within Mabula Game Reserve, serving owners, timeshare guests, and visitors.
We are seeking a Hands-on Restaurant Manager who will be fully present and involved in the daily running of the restaurant and bar.
Core Purpose of the Role
To ensure The Restaurant operates as a profitable, well-controlled, family-friendly restaurant through disciplined stock management, strong financial oversight, hands-on leadership, and consistent service standards.
This is not an operations Manager role and not a formal Food & Beverage Manager position, but the successful candidate must have a solid practical understanding of restaurant operations, stock control, financial discipline, and team leadership.
The restaurant operates as a cashless environment, requiring strict financial accuracy and system control.
The key focus of this role is:
- Tight stock control
- Elimination of shrinkage and stock losses
- Accurate daily cash-ups and reconciliations
- Strong staff supervision and training
- Maintaining a clean, efficient, family-friendly environment
Key Responsibilities
1️⃣ Stock Control & Inventory Management (Critical Focus Area)
- Full control of food, beverage, and alcohol stock
- Strict management of bar storeroom and key control
- Implementation of FIFO stock rotation principles
- Weekly and monthly stock takes (bar, kitchen, operational equipment)
- Investigation of stock variances
- Reduction of shrinkage and losses
- Capturing and managing stock on the CIMSO system
- Procurement of food and beverages within approved budgets
- Supplier liaison and order control
2️⃣ Financial Control & Administration
- Daily reconciliation of cashless transactions
- Accurate daily cash-ups
- Invoice capturing and expense control
- Cost of Sales (COS) calculations
- Expense allocation to correct accounts
- Menu costing and recipe capturing on KIMSO
- Monitoring profitability of menu items
3️⃣ Restaurant & Bar Supervision
- Hands-on daily management of restaurant and bar
- Supervision of waitresses and barmen
- Coordination with kitchen staff and chefs
- Training staff on:
- Service standards
- Stock handling procedures
- Hygiene and cleanliness
- System usage and accountability
- Ensuring service efficiency and guest satisfaction
- Maintaining high cleanliness standards in:
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Kitchen
- Public toilets
4️⃣ Facility & Area Oversight
The Restaurant includes surrounding family entertainment areas. The Restaurant Manager will oversee the general neatness and condition of:
- Restaurant and bar area
- Public restrooms
- Garden areas
- Putt-putt course
- Table tennis and chess areas
- Tennis court area
This includes basic oversight of cleanliness, presentation, and reporting of maintenance issues.
5️⃣ Guest Interaction
- Professional interaction with guests and patrons
- Handling guest concerns promptly and professionally
- Creating a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere
- Supporting occasional entertainment or special events
Required Experience & Skills
- 3- 5 years restaurant management experience
- Strong stock control background
- Experience reducing stock losses and shrinkage
- Understanding of Cost of Sales and basic financial reporting
- Experience with stock/financial systems (KIMSO advantageous)
- Strong reconciliation and cash-up skills
- Menu costing and recipe management knowledge
- Staff training and supervision ability
- High level of integrity and accountability
- Hands-on leadership style
Personal Attributes
- Detail-oriented and financially disciplined
- Strong organisational skills
- Practical problem-solver
- Firm but fair leadership approach
- Trustworthy and accountable
- Comfortable working in a live-in reserve environment
Remuneration & Benefits
- Market related Salary on offer – DOE
- Single accommodation unit included
- Water and electricity included
- 13th cheque after 12 months of service
- Live-in position within reserve environment
To apply for the position, forward a comprehensive CV, all supporting documentation and references to
ronel@cedar-wood.co.za or 0826729782
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, if you don’t get feedback within 7 days, please regard your profile as not shortlisted / not successful