Hospitality Manager

INDIGO HOSPITALITY PTY LTD t/a Lillah Kitchen is a well-established Middle Eastern fusion restaurant located in the heart of Lane Cove, NSW. We offer a unique dining experience inspired by traditional Middle Eastern flavours, contemporary cooking techniques and warm hospitality.

In addition to our restaurant services, we cater for corporate events, private functions, celebrations and group bookings.

We are currently seeking an experienced and dedicated Hospitality Manager to join our team.

Key Responsibilities

1. Hospitality Operations & Business Management

• Plan, direct and coordinate daily hospitality operations, ensuring efficient service across restaurant dining, private functions and catering.
• Manage operational budgets, labour costs, stock control and resource allocation to maintain profitability.
• Monitor food and beverage costs, including specialty imported ingredients, and work with the kitchen to manage menu pricing and margins.
• Develop and implement operating procedures that improve service efficiency, customer satisfaction and overall business performance.
• Ensure compliance with the Food Standards Code, NSW Food Authority requirements, the Liquor Act 2007 (NSW), work health and safety legislation and other hospitality regulations.

2. Middle Eastern Dining Concept, Menu & Supplier Coordination

• Work with the Head Chef to develop and review the dining, banquet and catering menus, balancing traditional Middle Eastern dishes with Lillah's contemporary fusion style.
• Ensure the authenticity, consistency and presentation of signature offerings such as mezze selections, dips and spreads, charcoal-grilled dishes, slow-cooked specialties, breads and traditional sweets.
• Source and manage relationships with specialist suppliers of Middle Eastern ingredients, including spices and blends (such as sumac, za'atar, baharat and saffron), tahini, pomegranate molasses, rosewater, specialty cheeses and grains, and halal-certified meat where required.
• Oversee allergen and dietary information for the menu, with particular attention to sesame, tree nuts, dairy and gluten, which feature widely in Middle Eastern cooking, and to the cuisine's broad range of vegetarian and vegan options.
• Coordinate the beverage offering to complement the cuisine, including traditional coffee and tea service, Middle Eastern-inspired cocktails and wines suited to shared dining.
• Introduce seasonal and themed specials that showcase regional dishes and maintain customer interest.

3. Events, Functions & Corporate Catering Management

• Plan, coordinate and oversee corporate events, business gatherings, birthdays, anniversaries and other private functions hosted at Lillah.
• Design function packages built around Middle Eastern dining formats, such as shared mezze, banquet and feast-style menus, grazing tables and set menus for groups.
• Plan and promote culturally significant dining occasions, such as Ramadan iftar dinners, Eid celebrations, Nowruz (Persian New Year) and end-of-year corporate functions.
• Manage corporate catering services, including client consultations, menu selection, quotations, scheduling, delivery and on-site service.
• Coordinate catering logistics, including the safe transport and temperature control of hot grilled dishes and cold mezze, and presentation of food at client premises.
• Liaise with corporate clients, event organisers and private customers to understand their requirements, including dietary, cultural and religious considerations, and deliver tailored experiences.
• Coordinate staffing, equipment, venue set-up and logistics to ensure successful event delivery.
• Monitor event performance, customer feedback and profitability to identify improvements.

4. Team Leadership & Staff Management

• Lead, supervise and coordinate hospitality staff across restaurant operations, functions and catering.
• Manage rostering, workforce planning, recruitment, training and performance to meet daily and event staffing needs.
• Develop and deliver staff training on Middle Eastern cuisine, ingredients, spice levels, shared-dining service and cultural etiquette, so that staff can describe dishes accurately and recommend menu and beverage pairings.
• Set and maintain service standards that reflect the warmth and generosity of Middle Eastern hospitality.
• Promote effective teamwork and communication between front-of-house, kitchen and catering teams.

5. Customer Experience & Service Standards

• Maintain high standards of hospitality and customer service consistent with Lillah's reputation and Middle Eastern fusion concept.
• Ensure guests unfamiliar with the cuisine are guided through the menu, shared-plate format and banquet options to create a memorable experience.
• Oversee reservations, group bookings, special event enquiries and customer relationship management.
• Handle customer feedback, complaints and special requests professionally, including dietary and allergen requests.
• Build and maintain relationships with regular customers, corporate clients and local community organisations.

6. Business Development & Venue Promotion

• Identify opportunities to grow Lillah's corporate catering, private functions and group booking business.
• Build relationships with local businesses, community organisations and cultural groups to generate repeat bookings.
• Plan and promote special dining events, such as themed regional nights, cultural festival menus and chef's banquet evenings, to increase venue exposure.
• Coordinate marketing activity, including social media content that showcases the cuisine, its presentation and the venue's atmosphere.
• Work with the owners to develop strategies for revenue growth, customer retention and improved business performance.

Position Requirements

To succeed in this role, the applicant should have:

• A relevant qualification in hospitality management or equivalent industry experience.
• Previous experience as a Hospitality Manager, Venue Manager, Functions Manager or in a similar hospitality management role.
• Strong experience managing hospitality operations, staff, budgets, rostering and service standards.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating corporate events, private functions, group bookings or catering services.
• Sound knowledge of Middle Eastern cuisine, ingredients, dining customs and hospitality traditions, and the ability to communicate these to staff and customers.
• Understanding of dietary, cultural and religious food requirements, including halal and vegetarian dining.
• Strong knowledge of hospitality regulations, food safety, allergen management and workplace health and safety.
• Current Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) certification, and Food Safety Supervisor certification or willingness to obtain it.
• Excellent leadership, organisational, communication and customer service skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with corporate clients, local businesses and community organisations.
• Ability to manage multiple activities and deliver high-quality experiences in a busy restaurant environment.
• A genuine passion for hospitality, Middle Eastern food culture and business development.

How to Apply

If you believe you have the experience and confidence to succeed in this role, we would love to hear from you.

Please send your latest CV and relevant supporting documents to:

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