Restaurant Management jobs in Kayamandi, Western Cape

Overview

Helderberg Mountain Vineyards are seeking an experienced and passionate Assistant Front of House Manager with a strong background in hospitality/management and wine service. This role supports the Hospitality Manager and Front of House Department while taking primary responsibility for the daily operation of the tasting room, along with fellow Assistant Front of House Managers.

The ideal candidate is energetic, people-focused, and genuinely enjoys the wine industry. This role suits someone with a youthful spirit who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys being busy, and takes pride in delivering exceptional guest experiences.

Purpose of the Role

The purpose of this position is to independently manage and execute the full tasting room experience , working collaboratively with fellow Assistant Front of House Managers , while ensuring service excellence, strong operational control, and the achievement of sales and guest satisfaction objectives.

Please note that ad hoc duties may be required from time to time due to operational requirements.

Role Scope & Operational Flexibility

While this position is primarily tasting room focused , all management team members are required to be fully trained and competent across both the tasting room and restaurant operations . The role requires the ability to work across departments as operational needs dictate , ensuring seamless service delivery and consistent standards throughout the hospitality operation.

Key Responsibilities

Hospitality, Leadership & Operations

• Support the Hospitality Manager in the daily management of the tasting room
• Take responsibility for the tasting room floor during service, ensuring consistently high service standards
• Lead, inspire, and motivate Tasting Room Assistants and waitstaff
• Host wine tastings, lunches, and VIP guest experiences
• Host Cellar and Trophy Room tours when required
• Manage front-of-house operations including guest flow, seating, incoming calls, deliveries, and front door management
• Maintain service standards during high-volume and high-pressure periods
• Liaise closely with the kitchen regarding food service, table allocations, and operational flow
• Assist the Hospitality Manager with ad hoc operational tasks
• Assist with planning and executing functions, tastings, meetings, staff events, and marketing activities
• Foster a positive, energetic team culture that encourages pride in the brand and enjoyment of the wine industry

Administrative & Operational Responsibilities

• Conduct and assist with daily, weekly, and month-end stock takes for wine, beverages, and merchandise
• Monitor stock levels and support ordering processes to ensure uninterrupted operations
• Assist with stock control, reconciliation, and variance reporting
• Drive wine sales targets in alignment with business objectives
• Track tasting room sales performance and provide feedback to the Hospitality Manager
• Manage back-of-house operational duties required to execute tasting room operations effectively
• Ensure systems, procedures, and operational standards are followed consistently
• Support daily cash-up procedures and administrative controls

Wine Training & Education

• Assist the Hospitality Manager with ongoing wine training and education for the tasting room team
• Inspire staff to grow their wine knowledge and confidently engage guests
• Ensure accurate communication of the brand story, wines, and vintages
• Encourage curiosity, learning, and enthusiasm around wine and hospitality

Sales & Revenue Generation

• Drive wine sales across cellar door and international orders
• Ensure accurate completion of cellar door and international shipping order forms
• Actively contribute toward achieving and exceeding wine sales targets
• Motivate and inspire the tasting room team to prioritise wine sales and upselling
• Support the Hospitality Manager in reinforcing that the tasting room is a key sales channel and revenue driver

Administration

• Assist with Front of House opening and closing procedures
• Support the Hospitality Manager in managing Front of House staff
• Report maintenance issues within the tasting room
• Ensure cleaning standards are maintained and cleaning staff are operating effectively

Qualifications & Experience

• Front of House and/or Wine Service qualifications (Hospitality Management Diploma, Cape Wine Academy, Pinotage Youth Academy & WSET advantageous)
• Previous experience in a winery tasting room and/or restaurant environment
• Experience in a supervisory or assistant management role within hospitality or similar

Competencies

Service Orientation

• Passionate about hospitality and the wine industry
• Proactive, innovative, and solutions-driven
• Excellent communication skills with guests, team members, kitchen staff, and management
• Strong knowledge of tasting room and restaurant service etiquette
• Ability to train, inspire, and support staff to deliver outstanding service

People Management

• Leads by example and supports team development
• Encourages accountability for service and sales performance

Accuracy & Quality

• High attention to detail
• Ensures work is accurate, consistent, and error-free
• Meets deadlines and operational requirements

Networking & Guest Engagement

• Builds rapport easily with guests
• Warm, engaging, and enthusiastic presence
• Confident and persuasive communicator

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Work Location: In person