JOB SUMMARY:

Hemingways Watamu is seeking an experienced and service-driven Assistant Restaurant Manager to support the operational, financial and guest experience performance of our Food & Beverage department. The successful candidate will help lead a polished, high-performing restaurant and bar team, ensuring every guest interaction reflects our luxury standards, warmth, attention to detail and commitment to excellence.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Operational Excellence

  Oversee daily restaurant and bar operations, ensuring service readiness, smooth service flow, well-maintained ambience and consistent adherence to operating standards.

• Guest Experience & Service Quality

  Lead the team in delivering warm, polished and personalised service, resolving guest concerns promptly and using guest feedback to continuously improve the dining experience.

• People Leadership & Team Development

  Support recruitment, onboarding, training, performance conversations and day-to-day coaching while building a motivated team culture based on accountability, teamwork and continuous learning.

• Financial Performance & Cost Control

  Monitor revenue performance, support upselling initiatives, manage labour and stock controls, minimise wastage and uphold accurate POS, cash-handling and requisition processes.

• Compliance, Safety & Hygiene

  Ensure strict compliance with HACCP, food-handling, sanitation, safety, incident reporting, licensing and internal policy requirements.

• Collaboration

  Work closely with Kitchen, Procurement, Finance, Stores and Marketing teams to support seamless operations, events, activations, stock controls and guest-focused service delivery.

• About You

  You are a confident hospitality professional with strong operational discipline, a natural eye for detail and the ability to inspire teams to deliver exceptional, personalized guest experiences. You lead with integrity, accountability and warmth, and you are comfortable working in a fast-paced luxury service environment.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Diploma or degree in Hospitality Management, preferably with advanced service training from Kenya Utalii College or a comparable institution.
• Minimum of 3 years' supervisory or management experience in a 5-star restaurant or luxury hospitality environment.
• Strong guest service, people leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to mentor, coach and develop team members.
• Commercial awareness, including the ability to support revenue generation, upselling and cost control initiatives.
• Working knowledge of MICROS POS, Opera Cloud, Excel, reporting tools and other hospitality systems.
• High attention to detail, integrity, accountability, organisation and time management.
• Ability to work under pressure, multitask and collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
• Flexibility to work varied shifts, weekends and public holidays as required by hotel operations.

• Oversee daily restaurant and bar operations, ensuring service readiness, smooth service flow, well-maintained ambience and consistent adherence to operating standards.
• Lead the team in delivering warm, polished and personalised service, resolving guest concerns promptly and using guest feedback to continuously improve the dining experience.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training, performance conversations and day-to-day coaching while building a motivated team culture based on accountability, teamwork and continuous learning.
• Monitor revenue performance, support upselling initiatives, manage labour and stock controls, minimise wastage and uphold accurate POS, cash-handling and requisition processes.
• Ensure strict compliance with HACCP, food-handling, sanitation, safety, incident reporting, licensing and internal policy requirements.
• Work closely with Kitchen, Procurement, Finance, Stores and Marketing teams to support seamless operations, events, activations, stock controls and guest-focused service delivery.

• Strong guest service, people leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to mentor, coach and develop team members.
• Commercial awareness, including the ability to support revenue generation, upselling and cost control initiatives.
• Working knowledge of MICROS POS, Opera Cloud, Excel, reporting tools and other hospitality systems.
• High attention to detail, integrity, accountability, organisation and time management.
• Ability to work under pressure, multitask and collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
• Flexibility to work varied shifts, weekends and public holidays as required by hotel operations.

• Diploma or degree in Hospitality Management, preferably with advanced service training from Kenya Utalii College or a comparable institution.
• Minimum of 3 years' supervisory or management experience in a 5-star restaurant or luxury hospitality environment.