Restaurant Operations Lead – Huddle, Lymington
At Huddle, we believe hospitality is built on two things: why we do it and how we do it.
While our Customer Experience Manager leads the why, the feeling, the energy, the moments people remember, our Restaurant Operations Lead leads the how, the structure, the standards and the performance that make those moments possible.
This role sits alongside the Customer Experience Manager and they are led, in partnership, by the owners. Together, these roles balance culture, customer experience and commercial performance.
We are looking for someone steady, commercially aware and confident in leading people. Someone who understands that great hospitality is not accidental. It is built through clarity, accountability and care.
We would consider someone stepping into a senior leadership role for the first time, but you must have had supervisory experience in areas this role is responsible for and being able to demonstrate your knowledge in those areas and willingness to learn.
Role Purpose:
- To lead the operational performance of the restaurant.
- To ensure standards are clear and upheld.
- To protect margin, manage cost and create consistency.
- To build a team that feels supported and accountable in equal measure.
Key Focus Areas:
- Operational discipline and service consistency
- Labour control and gross profit management
- Stock control and supplier relationships
- Health, safety and compliance
- Clear team leadership and performance management
- Supporting events and marketing execution operationally
Core Responsibilities:
- Oversee daily restaurant operations across floor and kitchen
- Set and maintain service and behavioural standards
- Manage rotas in line with labour targets
- Monitor stock, ordering and waste control
- Review gross profit performance and take corrective action where needed
- Lead team training on operational standards
- Handle escalated customer issues professionally
- Prepare simple, clear operational performance reports
- Work collaboratively with the Customer Experience Manager to align standards and guest journey
Requirements:
- Proven experience leading within a restaurant or hospitality environment
- Strong commercial awareness and understanding of gross profit
- Ability to lead confidently without ego
- Clear communication and team development skills
- Strong knowledge of food safety and compliance
- Comfortable working evenings and weekends
Desirable Experience
- Managing profit and loss accounts
- Supplier negotiation
- Understanding employment law basics
- Busy service or door management experience
- New opening or growth experience
This is a leadership role with real influence. If you care about doing things properly, building strong teams and helping a growing independent business move forward with discipline and heart, we would love to talk.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £30,000.00-£38,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
Application question(s):
- Where will you be commuting from?
- Are there any restrictions on days of the week or times of day you can work?
- Will you be willing to be a lone worker when required?
- Will you be willing to work evenings and weekends when required?
- Do you have a driver's licence and access to a car to commute to work?
Experience:
- Supervisory: 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
