Job Description
About Us
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Set on Newcastle's iconic waterfront, Customs House is a landmark venue offering exceptional dining, vibrant bar service, and memorable functions & events. With a rich heritage and a passion for hospitality, we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding experiences across all areas of the business. We open from 11:30am and close between 10pm and midnight so no late nights or early mornings.
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The role
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As we gear up for another busy Summer at Customs House Hotel Newcastle, we're looking to add a new dimension to our leadership with an experienced Operations Manager / 2IC to join our team and help drive the venue forward.
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This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in a high-volume F&B; environment, knows how to lead a team, and understands what it takes to deliver great service while keeping operations sharp, compliant and profitable.
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Reporting to the General Manager, you'll be the second in charge - the person who runs the venue when the General Manager isn't on- site, and the one the team looks to on a busy shift. It's a genuine leadership role with ownership of beverage performance, compliance and day-to-day operations.
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What you'll be doing
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Running trade end-to-end - opening, closing, service flow and duty management across peak periods.
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Leading, rostering and developing a team of front-of-house staff and supervisors.
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Owning beverage performance: promotional calendar, range and pricing,



supplier programs and post-promotion review.
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Driving stock and cost control - stocktakes, variance investigation, wastage, pour cost and GP targets.
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Holding the line on compliance: liquor licensing conditions, RSA, incident registers, security and house policy.
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Recruiting, inducting and training recent starters, and keeping performance conversations happening regularly.
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Working with the General Manager on budgets, weekly reporting and the summer trading plan.
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Stepping up as the senior on site during the manager's absence, including full accountability for the venue.
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What we're looking for
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Three things matter most to us:
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Three to five years' experience leading teams in high-volume food and beverage venues - you've managed real numbers, real crowds and real pressure.
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A proven track record in successfully implementing beverage promotions and controls - you can point to promotions you built and ran, and the stock and cost controls that made them profitable.
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A strong liquor compliance background - confident with licensing conditions, RSA obligations, incident management and dealing with regulators and police.
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Beyond that: current RSA, strong communication, and the kind of calm presence that steadies a room on a busy night.
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You must have the right to work in Australia. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

📌 Operations Manager / 2Ic (New South Wales)
🏢 Customs House Newcastle
📍 New South Wales