About Us
Palmers Garden Centre is part of the Palmers Group, a well-established, family-run business based in Yeovil. Our on-site restaurant is a vibrant and welcoming destination for customers, serving fresh, seasonal dishes in a relaxed setting. We're passionate about quality food, exceptional customer service, and creating a warm, community-focused atmosphere.
We're now looking for an experienced and hands-on Restaurant Manager to lead our team and take our café to the next level.
About the Role
As Restaurant Manager, you'll take full ownership of the day-to-day operations of Palmers Café. You'll lead by example, inspiring and motivating the front-of-house team while working closely with the kitchen to ensure smooth service and a enjoyable dining experience.
This is a varied role where you'll be involved in everything from staff management and menu input to stock control and customer engagement. You'll have the opportunity to bring fresh ideas, shape the customer experience, and be a key part of the Palmers family business.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead, train, and motivate the front-of-house team to deliver consistently excellent service.
* Create and manage staff rotas in line with sales forecasts, ensuring efficient labour costs.
* Work collaboratively with the kitchen team on weekly specials and seasonal menu development.
* Maintain the highest standards of food safety, health & safety, and compliance at all times.
* Oversee stock control and ordering processes, completing regular stock takes to maintain accuracy and minimise waste.
* Drive a culture of customer service excellence, handling feedback professionally and building strong relationships with our regular guests and local community.
* Support the wider Palmers team with events and seasonal activities within the Garden Centre.
* Monitor and report on sales performance, identifying opportunities to increase revenue and manage costs effectively.
About You
We're looking for a positive, enthusiastic leader who thrives in a busy, customer-facing environment. You'll be just as happy rolling up your sleeves on the floor as you are managing behind the scenes. You will be dedicated to creating a customer-centric team who thrive on delivering outstanding service, and you will role model this without even think about it.
Essential skills & experience:
* Previous management experience in a café, restaurant, or hospitality environment.
* A natural leader with the ability to motivate and develop a team.
* Strong organisational skills, with the ability to balance operational needs with customer service.
* A passion for fresh food, hospitality, and creating memorable experiences for guests.
* Excellent communication skills and a hands-on, can-do attitude.
* Good financial awareness with experience managing budgets, rotas, and stock.
* Desirable:
* Experience in menu planning and food presentation.
* Knowledge of local suppliers and seasonal ingredients.
* Personal Licence Holder, or willingness to obtain (this is not compulsory)
What We Offer
Competitive salary (£33,000+ DOE).
33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays).
Staff discount across the Palmers Group.
Free on-site parking.
Opportunities for training and career development within a supportive, family-run business.
Free lunch on shift