Job Description

The role purpose:

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Restaurant Manager to lead our front-of-house team at El Castillo Spanish Tapas restaurant and occasionally oversee operations at our Bishops Kitchen Cafe. The successful candidate will ensure exceptional customer experiences, efficient operations, and strong team leadership in a fast-paced hospitality environment.

The Restaurant Manager will take overall responsibility for compliance within the kitchen, including health and safety, food hygiene, and operational standards, while continuing to lead Front of House operations.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in The Auckland Project, helping shape the guest experience and maintain the highest standards of service and professionalism.

This role requires availability during the week, weekends, evenings, and bank holidays.

A flexible attitude to supporting different areas of the business at short notice.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Management

Oversee daily restaurant operations, ensuring smooth service and a welcoming atmosphere.

Maintain high service and presentation standards across the restaurant.

Take overall responsibility for compliance within the kitchen and front of house, including health and safety, food hygiene, and operational standards, while continuing to lead Front of House operations.

Manage staff rotas, schedules, and volunteer shifts efficiently.

Ensure compliance with health, safety, and food hygiene regulations.

Monitor stock levels, oversee ordering, deliveries, and reduce waste.

Ensure EPOS (electronic point of sale) systems and stock management processes are up to date.

Team Leadership & Training

Supervise and mentor front-of-house staff, fostering a positive and motivated work environment.

Deliver training on customer service, food safety, equipment and operational procedures.

Support professional growth and encourage teamwork.

Customer Service & Engagement

Deliver an outstanding guest experience by ensuring warm, efficient, and professional service.

Handle customer feedback, resolve issues proactively, and maintain a high level of satisfaction.

Identify opportunities to enhance service and drive customer engagement.

Financial & Business Development

Monitor budgets, revenue, and cost control, working towards profitability.

Identify and implement commercial opportunities to enhance business performance.

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria

Essential

Desirable

Where identified

Qualifications

Barista training

Food safety level 2

Driver's license

Application Form

Certificates

Experience

Minimum 1 year of experience in a management or supervisory role in a restaurant or hospitality setting.

Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Ability to work under pressure and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.

Strong administrative and IT skills for scheduling, stock management, and EPOS operations.

Passion for excellent food, beverage service, and customer satisfaction.

Experience of training and mentoring team members

Previous experience of working with volunteers

Experience in carrying out risk assessment

Knowledge of event management

Application Form

Interview

References

Knowledge & Skills

Strong communication & interpersonal skills with

Ability to multitask in a busy environment

The ability to lead, train and motivate staff

Administrative ability and IT literacy.

Numeracy and financial skills in order to monitor adhere to a budget.

Ability to work and lead in a team

Level 2 in numeracy & literacy

Have logistical skills and the ability to plan ahead

Excellent time management skills

Interview

References

Personal Qualities, attitude & behaviours

Must be passionate about good food and customer service.

Strong leadership skills

Ability to work as part of a team

Professional, hardworking and charismatic

Must be willing to work evenings and weekends.

Interview

The Auckland Project

The Auckland Project works hard to create a positive change for those living, working and visiting Bishop Auckland. We have created a visitor destination in Bishop Auckland, incorporating Auckland Castle (once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham), a Spanish Art Gallery, Faith Museum, Walled Garden, Deer Park, Mining Art Gallery, Auckland Tower visitor centre and Weardale Railway.

Our visitor destination and community development programme broadly fits into three areas:

1. The

social environment

: we help individuals and communities by creating a sense of curiosity, hope and faith in themselves and the world around them. We provide opportunities for skills development and partnerships, building a year-round tourist market and supporting small creative industries to thrive

2. The

natural environment

: we protect, sustain and enhance the world around us

3. The

built environment:

we restore and enhance the beauty and historic significance of the buildings, structures and assets in our care.

By working with us, you are helping to ensure the town's future is as magnificent and vibrant as its past.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 28,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Employee discount On-site parking Store discount
Work Location: In person