Hospitality Operations ManagerThe Memorial Canteen & Beer Garden — Belleville, Ontario
Full-Time | $47,000–$55,000 + Tip Pool + Quarterly Management Bonus | 3 Weeks Paid Vacation
Help Us Build Something Worth Being Proud Of
The Memorial Canteen & Beer Garden is an independent, locally owned hospitality business in downtown Belleville built around a simple idea: people coming together matters.
We serve fresh, elevated comfort food with a menu that evolves regularly. Our beer, wine and spirits program puts local, regional and Canadian producers first. Our goal is to create an experience that is approachable, elevated, personal and distinctly our own.
We are looking for an experienced Hospitality Operations Manager to join us as a key member of our leadership team.
This is not simply a Front of House Manager position.
You will help build the systems, culture and standards that will define The Memorial Canteen as we grow. You will work directly with the Head of Operations/Owner and Head Chef, taking increasing responsibility for the hospitality operation and, as the business develops, moving toward greater operational independence.
For the right person, this position has the potential to develop into a senior or executive operations role as the company grows and additional locations are developed.
The Opportunity
We are looking for a hospitality professional who is:
- Organized and exceptionally well prepared.
- Personable, confident and comfortable engaging with guests and staff.
- A natural leader who people want to follow.
- An excellent communicator.
- Professional in presentation, conduct and standards.
- Calm and composed when service becomes challenging.
- Able to think on their feet and make good decisions.
- A self-starter who sees what needs to be done and gets it done.
- Comfortable following established procedures while exercising good judgment when circumstances change.
- Someone with a genuine sense of humour who understands that professionalism and having fun are not mutually exclusive.
- Proud of the hospitality profession and committed to doing it exceptionally well.
We are particularly interested in people who have demonstrated leadership and composure in demanding environments. Hospitality experience is essential, but leadership experience gained in other professional environments can also be valuable.
Your Role
Initially, you will work closely with the Head of Operations/Owner and Head Chef to establish and continually improve the front-of-house operation.
As the business matures, the expectation is that you will take increasing ownership of the hospitality operation, allowing the Head of Operations/Owner to concentrate on the wider business.
You will be the person responsible for ensuring that the guest experience, FOH team and daily operation consistently meet the standards we have established.
You Will Be Responsible For
People & Leadership
- Lead a front-of-house team of up to approximately 20 full-time and part-time servers and bartenders.
- Coordinate part-time hosts and food runners as required.
- Lead by example and remain visible and engaged on the floor.
- Build a positive, respectful and professional team culture.
- Coach, train and develop team members.
- Manage day-to-day staff performance and accountability.
- Address operational and personnel issues promptly and professionally.
- Build a team where people look after one another and take pride in their work.
- Participate in hiring and termination decisions in consultation with the Head of Operations/Owner.
Service & Guest Experience
- Maintain consistently high standards of hospitality and guest service.
- Ensure the team understands and delivers established service procedures.
- Handle guest concerns and resolve problems professionally.
- Use judgment when addressing guest recovery situations, including appropriate comps.
- Work with the Head Chef to ensure effective communication between FOH and BOH.
- Help develop and continually improve service standards and procedures.
- Lead pre-shift meetings and ensure the team is prepared for service.
- Ensure opening and closing standards are consistently maintained.
Operations
- Manage FOH scheduling and staffing requirements.
- Coordinate reservations, seating and service flow.
- Oversee opening and closing procedures.
- Assist with beverage ordering, inventory and stock control.
- Maintain strong product knowledge across food, beer, wine and spirits.
- Assist with special events, private functions and community activities.
- Help develop operating procedures, checklists and training systems.
- Identify operational issues and take action before they become problems.
Business Performance
The Hospitality Operations Manager will be an important part of the company's operational reporting and decision-making process.
You will help monitor and report on:
- FOH labour costs and productivity.
- Sales and average guest spend.
- Beverage sales.
- Tip performance.
- Inventory and beverage costs.
- Waste and complimentary items.
- Guest feedback.
- Staff performance.
- Other agreed operational KPIs.
We are looking for someone who is comfortable looking at numbers, identifying trends and communicating what they mean—not simply reporting them.
Leadership & Compliance
The Hospitality Operations Manager will share responsibility with the Head of Operations/Owner for ensuring responsible alcohol service and compliance with applicable AGCO requirements and operating procedures.
You will be expected to understand and uphold:
- Responsible alcohol service.
- Smart Serve requirements.
- AGCO regulations and operating procedures.
- Workplace safety.
- Food and beverage service standards.
- Company policies and procedures.
Authority
This is a genuine management position.
You will have significant authority over the day-to-day operation, including scheduling, shift management, staff direction, guest recovery, inventory processes and operational decisions.
The Head of Operations/Owner will remain involved in:
- Hiring and firing.
- Significant staff conflicts.
- Major changes to service procedures.
- Broader operational and strategic decisions.
The goal is not to have you constantly seeking permission. The goal is to give you the information, authority and support required to run the operation well.
The Person We're Looking ForExperience
We are looking for an experienced hospitality professional with:
- Approximately 3+ years of professional hospitality experience.
- Previous supervisory or leadership experience.
- A strong understanding of restaurant, bar or hospitality operations.
- Experience working in a professional service environment.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- The ability to lead calmly during busy or challenging periods.
Restaurant management experience is valuable, but we are more interested in demonstrated leadership, professionalism, judgment and hospitality ability than a particular job title.
Exceptional candidates from other professional environments may also bring valuable leadership experience.
Our Culture
We are building an independent business and we care deeply about what we are creating.
Our values are straightforward:
Pride. Respect. Professionalism. People.
We want our guests to feel welcome, our staff to feel respected and our team to be proud of the place they work.
We believe hospitality should be professional without being pretentious and elevated without being intimidating.
We take the work seriously. We don't necessarily take ourselves too seriously.
A good sense of humour is very welcome.
Work Schedule
The Memorial Canteen operates seven days a week.
The Hospitality Operations Manager will generally work five days per week, with flexibility to structure their schedule around the needs of the business.
Where operationally possible:
- Two consecutive days off will be maintained.
- One working day will generally include dedicated administrative/office time.
- Bank holidays will be provided off wherever possible.
- Where a bank holiday must be worked, an additional day off will be provided.
- During particularly busy periods, additional hours may occasionally be required, with additional time off allocated as appropriate.
We are building a professional operation and believe sustainable leadership is important to the long-term success of the business.
Compensation & Benefits
- $47,000–$55,000 annual salary, based on experience.
- Participation in the staff tip pool.
- Three weeks paid vacation.
- Quarterly management bonus program based on agreed operational and business performance metrics.
- Genuine opportunity for advancement as the company grows.
Where This Can Lead
This is an opportunity for someone who wants more than a management position.
Our intention is to build The Memorial Canteen into a strong independent hospitality company and, over time, develop additional locations.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow with us.
The long-term path could develop from:
Hospitality Operations Manager → Senior Operations Leadership → Executive Operations Role
That opportunity will be earned through performance, leadership, professionalism and the ability to help us build a great company.
Why The Memorial Canteen?
Because we are independent.
Because we care about the people who walk through our doors.
Because we believe local and Canadian producers deserve a place at the table.
Because we want to serve great food and drink without losing the warmth and accessibility that makes a neighbourhood venue special.
And because we are building something from the ground up—and we want the right people to help us make it exceptional.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume through Indeed along with a brief cover letter telling us about yourself, your hospitality experience and why you think you would be a good fit for The Memorial Canteen & Beer Garden.
We are interested in people, not just résumés.
The Memorial Canteen & Beer Garden
Belleville, Ontario
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Pay: $47,000.00-$55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
