About the Role

We are a busy, high-volume specialty café, brunch, and event destination in Geelong West. Renowned for generous food, specialty coffee, and a bustling outdoor terrace, we operate a fast-paced service that demands organized, hands-on venue leadership.

We are seeking a proactive Café / Venue Manager to take full operational ownership of floor service, kitchen coordination, team supervision, and private functions.

> Important Note: This is a senior leadership role. Do not apply if you do not have prior managerial experience. Applications without proven management experience in a café, restaurant, or venue environment will not be considered.

> Key Highlights

- SBS Approved Employer: Standard Business Sponsorship available for eligible candidates.
- Competitive Package: $65,000 – $80,000 base + superannuation (commensurate with skills and experience).
- Strict Experience Requirement: Minimum 3 years of direct hospitality management experience required — do not apply without proven managerial experience.
- Mandatory Weekend Availability: Full Saturday and Sunday floor leadership required.

Key Responsibilities

1. Active Floor Leadership & Service Standards

* Weekend Floor Presence: Lead from the front during peak weekend trade (Saturday and Sunday), directing service flow, managing seat turnover, and stepping in during rushes.
- Customer Care & 3-Second Rule: Enforce our 3-second customer acknowledgment standard, personally greet guests, and engage with regulars to ensure high retention and zero walkouts.
- Beverage & Coffee Quality: Supervise barista speed, workflow, and beverage standards to guarantee consistent specialty coffee service.

1. Strict Opening, Closing & Hygiene Compliance

* Daily Checklist Enforcement:



Enforce and sign off on opening and closing checklists, ensuring refrigeration switches, electrical appliances, prep storage, and display cabinets are verified daily.
- Hygiene & Waste Management: Maintain pristine cleanliness across dining spaces, counters, kitchen pass, and outdoor areas, keeping commercial street bins latched and orderly.
- Regulatory Compliance: Enforce Victorian Food Safety standards, council health codes, and Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) guidelines.

1. Venue Functions & Operational Coordination

* Event Oversight: Coordinate private functions, terrace events, and catering operations alongside daily café service.
- On-Site Incident Leadership: Provide immediate, physical on-site leadership during venue emergencies (equipment failures, power trips, sudden shift call-outs) rather than handling critical issues remotely.

1. Rostering, Labor Control & Scheduling

* Labor Budget Discipline: Build and publish rosters via Deputy aligned strictly with sales targets and labor cost caps.
- Active Shift Management: Monitor daily trade to execute early finish cuts during slower windows while guaranteeing punctuality and full coverage during peak rushes.

1. Recruitment, Training & Team Accountability

* Targeted Hiring: Screen, interview, and onboard skilled front-of-house, barista, and back-of-house staff with genuine, long-term availability.
- Structured Training:



Deliver hands-on onboarding programs, verifying competency before assigning independent shifts.
- Team Accountability: Run pre-shift huddles, address performance deficits with prompt feedback, and maintain team alignment with business ownership directives.

Candidate Requirements

- Mandatory Management Experience: Minimum 3 years of proven experience in a Café Manager, Venue Manager, or Assistant Manager role in high-volume hospitality.
- Mandatory Weekend Availability: Full, unrestricted availability on Saturdays and Sundays is non-negotiable.
- Hands-on Floor Presence: A manager who works the floor alongside the team during peak hours rather than supervising from a desk.
- Operational Discipline: Proven experience managing labor budgets, rostering software (Deputy), food hygiene audits, and closing verification routines.
- Certifications: Current Victorian RSA and Food Safety Supervisor certificate (or willingness to obtain immediately).

What We Offer

- Salary: $65,000 – $80,000 base + superannuation, tailored to your management background and capability.
- Visa Sponsorship: Approved Standard Business Sponsor (SBS) open to sponsoring the right eligible candidate.
- Daytime Hours: Sociable daytime trading hours without late-night finishes.
- Owner Collaboration: Transparent direction and direct communication with venue owners.

How to Apply

Click Apply for this job to submit your resume and a cover letter detailing:
- Your minimum 3 years of hospitality management experience.
- Confirmation of your full weekend (Saturday & Sunday) availability.
- Your current Australian work rights / visa status.

Venue: King of the Castle — Geelong West

📌 Cafe Manager (Geelong West)
🏢 JAMD LOGISTICS
📍 Geelong West