Assistant Manager Restaurant jobs in London SE16

Assistant Restaurant Manager – Floor Supervisor

Tea Room & Restaurant

MARIAGE FRÈRES | Covent Garden, London | Full-Time

A rare opportunity to progress into a hands-on restaurant leadership position within a prestigious French Maison, combining floor supervision, team development and commercial responsibility with predominantly daytime working hours and an attractive work-life balance.

Founded in Paris in 1854, MARIAGE FRÈRES is an internationally renowned luxury tea house, celebrated for its French heritage, pioneering approach to tea gastronomy and exceptional collection of more than 1,000 teas from around the world.

Our landmark Covent Garden flagship brings together our Tea Boutique, Tea Room & Restaurant, Terrace and Private Dining within one exceptional London destination, featuring the world's largest tea wall and a distinctive culinary experience inspired by tea.

We are seeking a confident, energetic and commercially minded Assistant Restaurant Manager – Floor Supervisor to lead our Front of House team and contribute to the continued development of our London hospitality business.

The Opportunity

This is not a conventional management position within a large restaurant operation. It is a fully hands-on leadership role within a small Front of House team, combining genuine management responsibility with active participation in daily guest service.

Reporting directly to our Operations Manager, you will take responsibility for the daily management and smooth running of our Tea Room & Restaurant, combining active guest service, team leadership and commercial responsibility.

You will be accountable for the organisation, development and performance of your team, including staff training, scheduling, holiday planning and involvement in recruitment.

Leading by example, you will work alongside your team throughout service, personally welcoming guests, taking orders, serving food and beverages, and ensuring consistently exceptional hospitality.

We are looking for someone who can confidently manage their team and daily operations without constant supervision, while working closely with UK Management to implement the Maison's established standards and commercial objectives.

This opportunity will particularly appeal to an experienced Restaurant Supervisor, Senior Head Waiter or Head Waitress ready to progress, or an Assistant Restaurant Manager seeking meaningful responsibility within a distinctive French hospitality environment.

What You'll Do

Restaurant Operations & Team Leadership

• Lead daily Front of House operations while actively participating in guest service alongside your team.
• Take responsibility for the organisation, management, development and performance of the Front of House team.
• Contribute to recruitment, training, staff scheduling and holiday planning, ensuring effective staffing and operational continuity.
• Implement and maintain MARIAGE FRÈRES' established service standards, operating procedures and presentation requirements.
• Deliver exceptional guest experiences, managing guest relationships, feedback and service recovery.
• Coordinate effectively with the Kitchen, Retail and wider management teams.
• Maintain excellent standards of presentation, cleanliness, organisation and operational efficiency.
• Oversee service across the Tea Room, Terrace, Afternoon Tea, Private Dining and seasonal events.

Commercial Performance & Business Development

• Actively contribute to increasing restaurant revenue, reservations, covers, average spend and repeat business.
• Manage the daily operation of our reservation and table-management system, maximising booking opportunities and table utilisation.
• Monitor departmental performance, guest feedback and service standards, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Develop your team's confidence in product recommendations, cross-selling and personalised guest service.
• Promote synergies between our Tea Boutique, Tea Room and Terrace.
• Support UK Management in implementing commercial initiatives to attract new guests, increase bookings and develop the business.

About You

We welcome applications from experienced Assistant Restaurant Managers, Restaurant Supervisors, Senior Head Waiters and Head Waitresses looking to progress.

You will bring:

• Strong Front of House experience in a quality restaurant, premium hospitality establishment or luxury hotel.
• A genuinely hands-on approach and willingness to participate in every aspect of daily guest service.
• Confidence and experience in supervising, motivating and developing a small team.
• Excellent organisational, communication and guest-relations skills.
• Commercial awareness and a proactive approach to improving revenue and customer satisfaction.
• Experience using restaurant reservation and table-management systems.
• The ability to take responsibility for daily operations, make sound decisions and work effectively within an established management structure.
• A professional, reliable and solution-oriented attitude.
• Fluent spoken and written English and the right to work in the UK.

Experience in French-style restaurant service, Afternoon Tea, Private Dining or events would be advantageous.

French language skills are a strong advantage, but not essential.

Previous specialist tea knowledge is not required. Comprehensive MARIAGE FRÈRES tea, product and service training will be provided.

Working Hours & Lifestyle

Our London Tea Room & Restaurant operates predominantly during the daytime, offering an attractive alternative to the regular late-night finishes often associated with traditional restaurant management positions.

This is a full-time position of 40 paid hours per week, normally spread across five days, working operational shifts alongside the Front of House team.

Flexibility is required to work within our operational scheduling window of 6:30 am to 11:00 pm, including weekends, Bank Holidays, seasonal periods and Private Events. Actual working hours will vary according to business requirements.

What We Offer

• Predominantly daytime working hours.
• Competitive remuneration plus tronc.
• Genuine responsibility for leading and developing a small Front of House team.
• Career development opportunities within an internationally recognised French Maison.
• Private medical insurance following successful completion of probation, subject to eligibility.
• Travel and meal allowances.
• Company pension scheme.
• Employee discount and benefits programme.
• Company uniform with complimentary professional dry cleaning.
• 20 days' annual leave plus 8 Bank Holidays.
• Comprehensive tea, product and service training.

Join MARIAGE FRÈRES

Whether you are ready to progress into your first Assistant Restaurant Manager position or are an experienced hospitality professional seeking a rewarding, hands-on leadership role with meaningful responsibility and predominantly daytime working hours, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Join us in delivering exceptional French hospitality, developing a motivated team and contributing to the continued growth of MARIAGE FRÈRES in London.

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Store discount

Experience:

• Hospitality: 3 years (preferred)
• Restaurant: 3 years (required)
• Team management: 1 year (required)

Language:

• English (required)
• French (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person