New Restaurant Opening jobs in Felixstowe

Company Overview

Alba Chiara is an independent, family-run Italian restaurant and bottega situated on the Felixstowe seafront.

We pride ourselves on delivering authentic Italian and Sardinian cuisine, carefully selected wines and genuine hospitality in a welcoming yet professional environment.

As our restaurant continues to develop, we are looking for an experienced, motivated and hands-on Assistant Restaurant Manager or Restaurant Manager to join our team.

We are looking for someone who can take genuine responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the restaurant, lead and develop our front-of-house team, and maintain consistently high standards of service.

This is an opportunity for an ambitious hospitality professional to become an important part of an independent restaurant, working closely with the owners and contributing to its continued development.

Key Responsibilities

Restaurant Operations & Service

• Oversee daily front-of-house operations, ensuring smooth and efficient lunch and dinner services.
• Confidently lead the restaurant during busy periods and independently manage services when required.
• Maintain excellent standards of hospitality, service, cleanliness and presentation.
• Manage reservations, table allocation and the overall guest experience.
• Handle customer feedback and complaints professionally.
• Ensure effective communication between the kitchen and front-of-house teams.
• Oversee opening, closing, cash-handling and end-of-day procedures.

Staff Management & Training

• Lead, motivate and supervise front-of-house employees.
• Assist with staff rotas, scheduling and labour management.
• Delegate responsibilities and maintain staff accountability.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and training of new employees.
• Monitor staff performance and provide constructive feedback.
• Encourage teamwork, professionalism and a positive working environment.
• Help develop staff knowledge of Italian food, wine and service standards.

Business & Commercial Responsibilities

• Support stock control, ordering and beverage inventory management.
• Monitor wastage and help maintain operational efficiency.
• Encourage confident menu recommendations, wine pairings and appropriate upselling.
• Assist with controlling labour costs while maintaining service standards.
• Contribute ideas to improve guest satisfaction, sales and overall restaurant performance.
• Work closely with the owners to implement operational improvements.

What We're Looking For

Essential Requirements

• Previous experience in a restaurant supervisory, assistant management or restaurant management position.
• Strong understanding of full-service restaurant operations.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a front-of-house team.
• Confidence managing busy restaurant services independently.
• Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• A professional, approachable and hands-on leadership style.
• Strong customer-service skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to remain calm and make effective decisions under pressure.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and busy periods.
• Right to work in the UK.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience in independent or quality-focused restaurants.
• Knowledge of Italian cuisine and wine.
• Experience with staff rotas, training and performance management.
• Understanding of stock control, labour costs and restaurant profitability.
• Familiarity with restaurant POS and booking systems.
• Food Safety or hospitality management qualifications.

We value practical experience, reliability and a genuine passion for hospitality over formal qualifications alone.

Salary & Career Development

We are considering candidates at two levels, depending on experience and the responsibilities they can confidently undertake:

• Assistant Restaurant Manager: £27,000–£32,000 per year.
• Restaurant Manager: £32,000–£35,000 per year.

Candidates appointed at Restaurant Manager level will be expected to take greater ownership of daily operations, staff management, scheduling, training and overall restaurant performance.

For candidates joining as Assistant Restaurant Manager, there is genuine opportunity to progress into a more senior management position.

What We Offer

• Competitive annual salary of £27,000–£35,000, depending on experience.
• Share of staff tips, shared between all.
• Full-time, permanent employment.
• 40-hour working week.
• Staff meals during shifts.
• Training and development in Italian food, wine and hospitality.
• Staff Outings, Trips & certifications!
• Opportunities for career progression.
• Genuine involvement in restaurant operations and decision-making.
• A supportive, independent, family-run working environment.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced hospitality professional who enjoys leading a team, delivering excellent service and taking responsibility for restaurant operations, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV and a short introduction outlining your previous restaurant management experience and why you would be interested in joining Alba Chiara.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £27,000.00-£35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount

Work Location: In person