General Manager

Restaurant General Manager - Gourmet Food Parlour, 8th Lock, Ashtown

New Opening

Gourmet Food Parlour is delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for an experienced, motivated, and ambitious Restaurant General Manager to join our team ahead of the opening of our exciting new venue at 8th Lock, Ashtown, later this year.

We are looking for a dynamic and passionate leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, has a genuine love for hospitality, and is committed to delivering exceptional food, service, and customer experiences.

As this is a new opening, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to play a key role in building the team, establishing operational standards, and helping shape the culture of the restaurant from day one.

Training will commence in our existing Gourmet Food Parlour locations, giving you the opportunity to become fully immersed in our brand, systems, culture, and standards before moving into the new Ashtown venue.

Responsibilities & Duties

Leadership:

Take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the restaurant, leading by example and creating a positive, energetic, and professional working environment.

New Opening Leadership:

Play a central role in preparing for the opening of the new 8th Lock venue, helping to recruit, train, and develop the team while ensuring the restaurant is fully prepared to deliver an exceptional opening.

Team Management:

Lead all aspects of people management, including training, scheduling, performance management, and team development. Work closely with Operations and HR where required.

Training & Development:

Build a high-performing team through structured training, coaching, feedback, and ongoing development. Ensure all team members understand and consistently deliver Gourmet Food Parlour standards.

Operational Performance:

Take ownership of the restaurant's daily operational performance, ensuring smooth service, strong organisation, effective communication, and excellent standards across every shift.

Sales & Target Achievement:

Set, monitor, and achieve sales, labour, service, and operational targets. Use performance data and sales information to identify opportunities and drive continuous improvement.

Customer Experience:

Ensure every guest receives a warm, welcoming, and memorable experience. Lead the team in delivering consistently high standards of hospitality and customer service.

Financial Management:

Work closely with the Head Chef and Operations team to achieve financial targets, including food costs, labour efficiency, stock management, cash handling, waste reduction, and overall profitability.

Stock & Inventory:

Oversee stock control, ordering, deliveries, stock takes, portion control, and waste management to ensure excellent cost control and minimise losses.

Food Standards & Quality:

Maintain consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, portion control, and service in collaboration with the Head Chef and kitchen team.

Kitchen & Front-of-House Collaboration:

Work closely with the Head Chef and kitchen team to ensure excellent communication and a smooth, efficient service between front and back of house.

Health, Safety & Compliance:

Ensure all health and safety, food safety, security, licensing, and company procedures are followed. Provide regular training and ensure the team understands their responsibilities.

HACCP & Cleanliness:

Maintain full HACCP compliance and ensure the restaurant consistently meets Gourmet Food Parlour's standards for cleanliness, hygiene, organisation, and presentation.

Performance Management:

Monitor individual and team performance, provide regular feedback and coaching, recognise achievement, and address performance issues professionally when required.

Standards & Culture:

Be a strong ambassador for the Gourmet Food Parlour brand, setting the tone for a positive, inclusive, hardworking, and customer-focused culture.

Key Competencies

Previous experience in a Restaurant Manager, General Manager, or senior hospitality management role

Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop a diverse team

A genuine passion for hospitality, food, and delivering exceptional customer experiences

Commercially aware with a strong understanding of sales, labour, food costs, and profitability

Highly organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities in a busy environment

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Strong problem-solving ability and a calm, solutions-focused approach

Customer-focused with a strong attention to detail

Experience with recruitment, training, scheduling, and performance management

Knowledge of HACCP, food safety, health & safety, and hospitality compliance

Comfortable working with operational systems, reporting, and Microsoft Office

Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to work evenings, weekends, and busy trading periods

A hands-on management style and willingness to lead from the front

Ambition to grow with an expanding Irish hospitality brand

What We Offer

Exciting opportunity to lead a brand-new Gourmet Food Parlour venue

Full training in our existing locations before the new opening

Employee Assistance Programme

Access to dedicated training and development platforms

Flexible working hours

Excellent career progression opportunities

Tips

Coffee on shift

Discounted Staff meals

Supportive and collaborative management team

Opportunity to be part of the opening team and help establish the restaurant from the ground up

Why Gourmet Food Parlour?

This is more than an opportunity to manage a restaurant. As the General Manager of our new 8th Lock, Ashtown venue, you'll have the chance to build a team, establish a strong restaurant culture, develop your people, and play a key role in the successful launch of one of our newest locations.

If you are an ambitious hospitality professional who loves leading people, delivering great food and service, and wants to be part of an exciting new opening, we'd love to hear from you.

Join Gourmet Food Parlour and help us make 8th Lock, Ashtown a fantastic new destination for our customers and our team.

We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants.