As Restaurant Manager you will be the heart of the guest experience at Moonah Estate. You will lead the front of house team across our restaurant, cellar door, and bakery, setting the tone for every interaction from the first hello to the last goodbye.
Job Description
Salary: $100,000 base + performance bonus
Visa Sponsorship: Available for eligible candidates
Position Summary
The Restaurant Manager is responsible for the overall guest experience, front of house operations, and team leadership across Moonah Estate's restaurant, cellar door, and bakery. As a founding appointment, this role carries significant responsibility for establishing the culture, standards, and reputation of the venue from the ground up. The Restaurant Manager works in close partnership with the Head Chef. The role requires a hands‐on leader who is equally comfortable on the floor with guests as they are managing a team, reading a P&L;, and building systems for a growing operation.
Responsibilities
Guest Experience
Set and maintain the standard of warm, attentive, and knowledgeable service across all guest touchpoints
Be present on the floor during service, leading by example and ensuring every guest feels genuinely welcomed
Handle guest feedback, complaints, and special requests with professionalism and care
Build relationships with returning guests and local community members
Oversee the cellar door tasting experience, supporting guests in exploring and purchasing estate wines
Recruit, induct, train, and develop a high-performing front of house team
Foster a team culture that is warm, qualified, and proud of what they deliver
Conduct regular one-on-ones, team briefings, and performance reviews




Manage rostering and labour costs in line with business targets
Address performance issues promptly and constructively, in line with company policy
Operations
Manage daily opening and closing procedures across the restaurant and cellar door
Oversee reservation management, floor planning, and event coordination
Maintain venue presentation to the highest standard at all times
Manage stock, glassware, linen, and consumables ordering
Ensure compliance with food safety, RSA, and all relevant licensing requirements
Produce daily operational reports and communicate key information to the management team
Commercial
Monitor and manage labour costs against budget
Drive revenue through upselling, wine sales, events, and private dining bookings
Identify opportunities to improve covers, average spend, and guest retention
Contribute to menu planning conversations, seasonal changes, and special event programming
Wine & Product Knowledge
Develop a confident working knowledge of Moonah Estate wines and the broader Victorian wine landscape
Train the team on wine service, food and wine pairing, and estate produce storytelling
Support cellar door sales with enthusiasm and genuine knowledge
Engage with the bakery and roastery product offering as part of the holistic guest experience
Key Performance Indicators
Guest satisfaction scores and repeat visitation rates




Labour cost as a percentage of revenue — target to be set at commencement
Team retention and staff satisfaction
Venue cleanliness, presentation, and compliance audit results
Revenue against covers and average spend targets
Timely and accurate completion of operational reporting
Selection Criteria
Minimum 3 years' experience in a Restaurant Manager or equivalent senior front of house leadership role
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a hospitality team
Genuine passion for food and the ability to communicate that passion to guests and team members
Strong interpersonal skills — warm, confident, and naturally hospitable
Sound knowledge of restaurant operations including rostering, stock, and compliance
RSA certification or willingness to obtain prior to commencement
Willingness to relocate to the San Remo / Phillip Island region
Experience in a winery, cellar door, or regional destination dining environment
Working knowledge of wine — formal qualification not required
Experience with reservation systems. Eg Open table, Reservation diary
Experience with POS Systems. Eg Square
Understanding of the Bass Coast / Gippsland region
Growth & Development
Moonah Estate is a venue in its opening phase, with plans to expand its offering, guest capacity, and product range in the coming year. The Restaurant Manager will be central to that growth.
Beyond Moonah Estate, Create Catering operates across four states with multiple venues and contracts. For the right person, this role is the beginning of a long-term career pathway within a group that promotes from within and recognises talent early.
#J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 Restaurant & Cellar Door Manager (Victoria)
🏢 Create Catering
📍 Victoria