WineTalent Classifieds: Restaurant Front of House Manager

WineTalent is working on a Restaurant Front of House Manager role for Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch located in St. Helena, the heart of the Napa Valley.

Description:  Long Meadow Ranch is a family-owned and operated producer and purveyor of world-class wine and food that is economically successful and socially responsible using diversified, sustainable, and organic farming methods.

Long Meadow Ranch’s restaurant at Farmstead showcases the seasonal, ingredient-driven American farmhouse cooking of executive chef Stephen Barber.  Housed in a former nursery barn, our 110-seat restaurant features an authentic farm-to-table menu.  The ingredients are foraged from local sources and feature Long Meadow Ranch’s award-winning wines, handcrafted extra virgin olive oils, grass-fed beef, eggs, and heirloom fruits and vegetables.

Long Meadow Ranch has an exciting opportunity for a Restaurant Front of House Manager to manage the delivery of a consistent, customer focused experience.  The Front of House Manager will provide oversight of the staff and will address customer service issues. 

Responsibilities

Direct Service and Staff on the Floor

• Manage a team of front of house staff including scheduling, training, general supervision.
• Actively engage in service for the majority of working hours.
• Directly perform hands-on work on an ongoing basis to manage employee performance, provide feedback and coaching, and otherwise role model appropriate behaviors in the restaurant. 
• Lead by example and maintain a strong floor presence.  Support staff throughout the day- get your hands dirty.
• Maintain procedures and standards for team service. Correct and coach employees as needed.
• Ensure positive guest experience in all areas. Respond promptly to complaints and take action to resolve guest issues.  Maintain guest satisfaction by monitoring and auditing food, beverage and service offerings.
• Build relationships with preferred patrons, recognize special occasions and PX guests.
• Ensure that all food safety, food quality standards, workplace safety standards, customer service standards and company policies are met. Comply with all Department of Environmental Health food safety regulations.
• Maintain a facility that is safe, secure and healthy as well as consistently “inspection ready” in all areas including front of house and back of house. Following systems established by the General Manager, maintain facilities as needed including mechanical systems, equipment, operation of lights, music and decor.
• Maintain standard operating procedures as established by the General Manager
• Lead daily pre-shift meetings and communicate menu features, service points and beverage training.
• Develop weekly focus topics for service points.
• Open and close the restaurant as needed. Support the management team when someone on the team is out on leave or sick.
• Keep the Service Manager and General Manager fully informed of all issues and take prompt corrective action when necessary or suggest alternate courses of action.
• Maintain a favorable working relationship with all company employees to foster and promote a cooperative, positive and respectful workplace culture.

Administrative and General

• Collaborate with the General Manager to develop an effective plan for training including food & wine education, one-on-one training, communication of company standards & policies and Long Meadow Ranch brand training.
• Manage the weekly distribution of the front of house schedule.
• Conduct regular staff performance reviews and provide growth opportunities.

Qualifications and Requirements

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in a fast paced restaurant.
• Proven experience managing and coaching service staff in a fast paced restaurant setting.
• Strong organizational and communication skills to manage staff, interact with management and resolve customer service issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license and maintain a safe driving record.
• A pre-employment background check is required.
• Able to lift 40+ lbs.

Compensation and Benefits

• This is a full-time, salaried position. Competitive compensation depending on experience plus benefits including medical/dental insurance, paid vacation and 401(k).