About the Role: Responsibilities, Skills, and Requirements
Introduction
If you thrive in the fast-paced world of hospitality and have a knack for turning even the busiest dinner rush into a well-orchestrated performance, this might be your next great move. We're on the lookout for a seasoned Restaurant Manager to join our team in Abu Dhabi's vibrant Baniyas district. This isn’t just another management role—it’s your chance to make a real impact on a growing, customer-focused restaurant in a neighborhood renowned for its energy and diverse clientele. Think you’ve got what it takes to lead us to new heights?
About the Company
We’re a tight-knit group of passionate food lovers and hospitality pros, driven by a genuine love of good service and memorable experiences. Our restaurant sits at the heart of Baniyas, serving a loyal base of locals and newcomers alike. What sets us apart? We’re proud of our open-door management style, supportive team culture, and the way we celebrate both big wins (like glowing guest reviews) and small ones (birthday surprises, anyone?). Here, every team member matters, and creativity is always on the menu.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Overseeing daily operations, from morning prep to last-table-cleared (with plenty of problem-solving along the way)
- Training, mentoring, and motivating a diverse team—bringing out the best in everyone, even on the busiest shifts
- Ensuring exceptional guest experiences, handling everything from reservations to special requests with a personal touch
- Monitoring inventory, placing orders, and working closely with suppliers to keep everything running smoothly
- Developing and implementing sales strategies to grow foot traffic and keep regulars coming back
- Managing budgets, controlling costs, and analyzing performance metrics for continual improvement
- Maintaining a safe, clean environment (yes, you’ll probably spot-clean a spill here and there)
- Implementing staff scheduling—balancing business needs with people’s lives
What You’ll Bring
Must-Haves:
- Proven experience in restaurant management, ideally in Abu Dhabi or the wider UAE
- Strong leadership skills—you genuinely enjoy mentoring others
- A sharp eye for detail and a hands-on, proactive work ethic
- Comfort with numbers: budgeting, scheduling, and inventory don’t scare you
- Communication skills in English (and, if possible, Arabic)
- A deep love of hospitality, and a guest-first mindset
Nice-to-Haves:
- Experience with POS systems and restaurant tech tools
- A track record of boosting sales or building guest loyalty programs
- Additional language skills
Not sure you tick every box? We’d still love to hear from you.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
- Competitive salary, paid on time—no guesswork
- Tips are shared fairly with the whole team
- Staff meals (you’ll never work hangry here)
- Flexible rota and understanding when life happens
- Opportunities to shape the menu, introduce new ideas, and grow your management skills
- Supportive, down-to-earth team—you’ll always have someone to lean on
- Modern, safe, and well-equipped environment in a booming part of Abu Dhabi
Here, your hard work has real impact. If you’re looking for a role where your leadership and passion for hospitality truly matter, you might have just found your new home.
Common Interview Questions and Tips
To help you prepare and feel confident, here are some questions you might encounter during the interview process for this role.
- Can you walk us through a particularly challenging shift you've managed and how you ensured both team morale and guest satisfaction were maintained?
- How do you approach training and mentoring staff, especially those who are new to the industry or come from diverse backgrounds?
- What specific strategies have you used in the past to grow guest loyalty and repeat business?
- Tell us about a time you had to handle a guest complaint or a special request—what steps did you take to resolve the issue?
- How comfortable are you with using POS systems or other restaurant management tech? Are there any tools you find particularly effective for operations?
- In terms of managing inventory and supplier relationships, how do you balance cost control with maintaining quality and consistency?
- Describe your method for creating staff schedules that both meet business needs and respect your team's work-life balance.
- Have you been responsible for budgeting and analyzing restaurant performance metrics before? What KPIs did you focus on, and how did you act on the results?
- How do you stay calm and focused during busy periods, especially when unexpected challenges arise?
- This role values creativity—can you share an example of an idea you contributed that improved the guest experience or operations?
- What does an "open-door" management style mean to you, and how do you create an environment where everyone feels heard?
- How would you foster a supportive and inclusive team culture, particularly in a setting with staff from different backgrounds?
- What role do you think flexibility and empathy play in leadership, especially in the hospitality industry?
- How do you personally embody a guest-first mindset in your daily work?