Restaurant / Venue Manager

Crittenden Wines | Dromana, Mornington Peninsula
Full-time | Hospitality Management

Set among the vines at the foot of Red Hill, Crittenden is a family-owned Mornington Peninsula winery bringing together wine, dining, events and lakeside accommodation in one beautiful setting.

Crittenden Restaurant is a relaxed lakeside destination centred on seasonal food, local produce, Crittenden wines and genuine hospitality. Alongside our Restaurant and casual alfresco Terrace, we are growing our weddings, private functions and events - creating an exciting opportunity for an experienced hospitality leader to help shape the venue’s future.

We are seeking an energetic, commercially minded Venue Manager to take ownership of the Restaurant’s day-to-day operation and consistently deliver exceptional guest experiences.

This role will suit someone who loves hospitality, knows how to lead a team, understands the numbers and enjoys being on the floor making things happen.

Reporting to the Managing Director, you will have overall operational responsibility for the Restaurant and its team, leading across six key areas:

People | Product | Customer | Communication | Environment | Profit

You will build a positive, high-performing culture while ensuring the venue operates efficiently, safely and profitably.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing the FOH team while working closely with the Head Chef and BOH team.

• Recruiting, onboarding and training team members, with clear accountability and strong shift leadership.

• Managing rosters, labour costs and staffing levels in line with forecast sales.

• Taking ownership of the guest experience and maintaining a warm, knowledgeable and genuinely hospitable service style.

• Overseeing restaurant service, weddings, private functions and events.

• Working with the events, kitchen, wine and marketing teams to ensure events are well planned, communicated and executed.

• Developing systems and service standards suited to everything from relaxed lunches to busy services and significant celebrations.

• Collaborating with the Head Chef on menu changes, food quality, presentation, dietary requirements and service execution.

• Maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene, WH&S and regulatory compliance.

• Managing stock, ordering, wastage, COGS/COS, stocktakes and supplier relationships.

• Monitoring sales, labour, margins and other financial measures, including actual versus theoretical performance.

• Ensuring invoices, deliveries, cash-ups and timesheets are accurate and completed on time.

• Reviewing customer feedback and using it to continually improve the experience.

• Leading team briefings, one-on-ones, performance conversations and weekly operational meetings.

• Using operational data and commercial insight to identify opportunities to increase sales and profitability.

A key focus will be helping Crittenden grow its weddings, private functions and events.

With the Restaurant overlooking the lake and vineyards, the estate provides a beautiful setting for celebrations. You will work closely with our events, kitchen, wine and wider Crittenden teams to ensure every occasion is organised, personal and memorable - from planning and preparation through to service and pack-down.

You will be confident moving between different styles of hospitality, whether it is a relaxed long lunch, busy restaurant service, corporate gathering, birthday celebration or wedding where every detail matters.

You will be an experienced hospitality professional who can lead from the front while bringing energy, structure and accountability to the venue.

Ideally, you will have:

• Experience as a Venue Manager, Restaurant Manager, Assistant Venue Manager or in a similar role.

• Strong people leadership, communication and team-development skills.

• Experience managing labour budgets and building cost-effective rosters.

• Demonstrated experience in food and beverage cost control, stock management and wastage reduction.

• A strong understanding of restaurant operations, service and guest experience.

• Experience with weddings, functions or events - or a genuine interest in developing this area.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.

• Sound commercial judgement and confidence working with budgets, sales and operational data.

• Knowledge of food safety, WH&S and hospitality compliance.

• A practical, hands-on approach to problem-solving and confidence using operational technology.

Experience with TANDA, Lightspeed, ME&U, Microsoft Office and hospitality costing or inventory platforms will be highly regarded.

A current RSA and Food Handlers Certificate are essential. A qualification in hospitality, business or a related field is desirable, although relevant experience and proven results are equally valued.

This is not an office-based management role. We want someone who enjoys being part of the action, stepping onto the floor during a busy service, coaching team members, speaking confidently with event clients, reviewing the numbers and working with the Head Chef to keep improving.

You will be:

• Hands-on – visible and engaged with the team and guests.

• Commercial – able to balance outstanding hospitality with profitability.

• People-focused – committed to building a capable, motivated team.

• Organised – able to establish systems, follow through and keep the operation moving.

• Calm under pressure – particularly during busy services and events.

• Positive and accountable – willing to take ownership and find solutions.

• Guest-focused – genuinely invested in making people feel welcome.

• Curious – always looking for ways to improve the food, wine, service and overall experience.

Crittenden is more than a restaurant. We are a family-owned winery, vineyard, cellar door, events destination and lakeside accommodation business, all located at our Dromana property.

Our Restaurant offers seasonal Modern Australian food and Crittenden wines in a relaxed setting overlooking the lake and vines. The wider property enables us to create experiences extending well beyond a traditional restaurant visit.

For the right person, this is an opportunity to have genuine influence over a venue with significant potential. You will work closely with the Managing Director, Head Chef and wider Crittenden team, with the autonomy to lead the Restaurant and strengthen the systems, culture and commercial performance supporting its growth.

Success in the role will mean:

• An engaged, capable and well-trained team.

• Consistently excellent restaurant and event experiences.

• Strong customer feedback and satisfaction.

• Effective rostering, labour and cost management.

• Reduced wastage and stock variance.

• Achievement of sales and profitability targets.

• Well-executed weddings, functions and events.

• Strong compliance and operational standards.

• Continuous improvement across the venue and guest experience.

If you are an experienced hospitality leader who wants to take ownership of a beautiful Mornington Peninsula venue, build a great team and help grow our restaurant and events business, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now with your CV and a short cover letter telling us why Crittenden is the right next step for you.

Location: Crittenden, 25 Harrisons Road, Dromana VIC 3936
Position: Venue Manager – Crittenden Restaurant
Employment: Full-time
Reports to: Managing Director