Position: Restaurant Manager Zaytinya NYC

Company: José Andrés Group (JAG)

Location: Zaytinya – New York, NY

Department: Restaurant Operations / Front of House

Reports To: General Manager / Assistant General Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time, Salaried

Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Performance-Based Bonus + Benefits

About José Andrés Group & Zaytinya

José Andrés Group (JAG), led by internationally acclaimed Chef José Andrés, creates extraordinary dining experiences through culinary innovation, exceptional hospitality, and our mission to Change the World Through the Power of Food!

Zaytinya celebrates the culinary traditions of Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon through Eastern Mediterranean flavors, creative mezze, exceptional wines, and warm hospitality. We are seeking a passionate, hands-on Restaurant Manager to join our New York leadership team.

Position Summary

The Restaurant Manager supports the General Manager and Assistant General Manager in daily restaurant operations, Front of House leadership, guest satisfaction, financial performance, and team development. The ideal candidate brings high-volume upscale dining experience, sound operational judgment, and a people-first approach to exceptional hospitality.

Restaurant Operations & Service Leadership

• Lead Front of House service with a visible, hands-on floor presence, especially during peak periods.
• Oversee opening, service, and closing procedures, pre-shift meetings, dining room flow, reservations, and service pacing.
• Ensure appropriate staffing, restaurant cleanliness, ambiance, organization, and consistent execution of JAG standards.
• Anticipate operational challenges, resolve issues quickly, and prepare for holidays, special events, and high-volume shifts.

Guest Experience & Hospitality Excellence

• Engage guests directly, build relationships with regulars and VIPs, and deliver personalized service.
• Resolve concerns with empathy, professionalism, and urgency; monitor reviews and guest feedback.
• Coach teams to deliver informed, warm hospitality reflective of Zaytinya’s energetic dining experience.

Team Leadership, Training & Development

• Coach, motivate, and develop servers, bartenders, hosts, runners, and support staff.
• Support interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, performance feedback, and evaluations with Talent Acquisition and People & Culture.
• Build an inclusive, accountable culture; support retention, engagement, succession, and career development.
• Ensure staff proficiency in service standards, menus, beverages, and guest recovery.

Financial Performance & Cost Management

• Support revenue, profitability, labor, and controllable-expense targets.
• Review sales, guest counts, average check, labor productivity, overtime, and relevant P&L indicators.
• Assist with schedules, purchasing, inventory, POS accuracy, cash handling, and daily financial reporting.
• Identify practical opportunities to increase revenue and improve efficiency without compromising hospitality.

Culinary & Beverage Collaboration

• Partner with Culinary and Beverage Leadership on menu knowledge, seasonal changes, tastings, and service execution.
• Train teams on Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, mezze-style dining, wine, spirits, and specialty beverages.
• Coordinate food timing, presentation, allergies, dietary requests, and communication between FOH and BOH.

Labor Management & Scheduling

• Assist with scheduling and staffing based on reservations, volume, and business needs.
• Monitor attendance, overtime, productivity, and cross-training while following applicable labor laws.

Reservations, Private Dining & Events

• Oversee reservation pacing, table assignments, large parties, VIP visits, and special occasions.
• Coordinate with Event Sales and Culinary teams on private dining, group reservations, and BEOs where applicable.
• Support event readiness, execution, and opportunities for additional group business.

Operational Standards, Safety & Compliance

• Maintain food safety, sanitation, responsible alcohol service, and workplace safety standards.
• Support health inspections, maintenance requests, audits, cash controls, and incident procedures.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable employment regulations.

Cross-Functional Communication & Leadership

• Communicate priorities, guest feedback, staffing, and operational issues to senior restaurant leadership.
• Partner with Culinary, Beverage, People & Culture, Talent Acquisition, Marketing, Events, and Finance.
• Represent José Andrés Group professionally with guests, employees, vendors, and partners.

Required & Preferred Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of progressive restaurant or hospitality management experience in high-volume upscale casual, fine dining, or comparable operations.
• Experience as Restaurant Manager, Assistant Restaurant Manager, Floor Manager, or comparable FOH leader.
• Demonstrated success training, coaching, and retaining service teams.
• Strong guest relations, floor leadership, decision-making, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of restaurant financials, labor management, cost controls, POS, and reservation platforms.
• Food, wine, spirits, and beverage service knowledge; Mediterranean cuisine familiarity preferred.
• New York City restaurant experience and chef-driven restaurant background preferred.
• Flexible availability for evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak business periods.
• Hospitality or business education preferred; equivalent experience considered.

Key Performance Indicators

• Guest satisfaction, service recovery, and consistency of hospitality standards.
• Sales performance, labor efficiency, and controllable expense management.
• Employee engagement, retention, training, and development.
• Reservation flow, event execution, sanitation, and achievement of operational objectives.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Stand and walk for extended periods in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
• Move frequently through dining and service areas; lift and carry up to approximately 25 pounds as required.
• Work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based bonus eligibility.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits; retirement savings opportunities; paid time off.
• Employee dining discounts, leadership development, and advancement opportunities across JAG.

Equal Opportunity Employer

José Andrés Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in the federal E-Verify Program.