Venue/Deli Manager

• 85,000 Per Year + Super
• Melbourne
• Hospitality & Tourism

Deli Manager – Richmond (Flagship Location)

Overview

• Location: Richmond (flagship site)

• Priority: URGENT hire

• Current manager underperforming; role is sensitive (may transition internally or exit)

• Key site: testing ground for new products + highest operational complexity

Business Context

• Weekly revenue: $60K–$70K

• Largest and busiest venue

• Central hub for:

  • Product trials

  • Expanded menu

  • Bakery operations

• Performance currently below potential due to leadership gaps

Team Structure

• 1 x Deli Manager (this role)

• 1 x Assistant Deli Manager

• 2 x Supervisors (FOH + BOH)

• ~15–20 total staff

Key Responsibilities

• End-to-end venue management (FOH + BOH)

• Drive service standards and guest experience

• Manage high-volume service + customer flow

• Team leadership, training, and performance management

• Maintain food quality standards

• Improve operational efficiency and sales performance

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Strong hospitality background (essential)

  • Casual dining / QSR preferred

• Experience managing high-volume venues

• Exposure to both:

  • Front of house

  • Back of house (non-chef is fine, but kitchen understanding required)

• Strong leadership + people management skills

• Confident managing teams of mixed ages

• Passion for:

  • Food

  • Coffee

  • Guest experience

• High energy, proactive, creates urgency

Key Challenges to Solve

• Poor current service execution (e.g. slow response to queues)

• Low team morale and lack of urgency

• Need for strong culture reset and team engagement

Culture Fit

• Passionate about hospitality

• Hands-on leader

• Positive, motivating, team-focused

• Strong trainer and coach

Working Conditions & Benefits

• Hours: ~6:00am – 4:00pm (no nights)

• Option of:

  • 5-day week initially, transitioning to

  • 4-day work week (compressed hours)

• Set roster:

  • Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat (1 weekend day only)

• Benefits:

  • Free coffee anytime

  • 50% staff discount (incl. partner)

  • Strong growth opportunities

Salary

• Target: $90K–$95K + super

• Bonus: up to $8K KPI-based

Career Path

• Clear progression into Operations roles

• Growth aligned with expansion (target: 30 locations in 4–5 years)

Interview Process

1. Screening by Woods & Co

2. Interview with Operations Manager (Chris Wright)

3. On-site trial / observation (30–45 mins)

4. Final interview with Ebony

2. Executive Baker (Head of Bakery & Pastry Operations)

Overview

• Senior leadership role

• Current incumbent has verbally resigned (health reasons)

• Replacement planning underway (potential internal lead, but not confirmed)

Scope of Role

• Oversee:

  • Bakery team

  • Pastry team

• Manage:

  • Head Baker

  • Pastry team lead

• Responsible for multi-site production strategy

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all bakery & pastry operations

• Product development (e.g. seasonal items, campaigns)

• Scale production (e.g. 1,000 → 4,000 donuts)

• Improve systems, processes, and equipment

• Maintain and elevate product quality

• Team leadership, coaching, and performance management

Key Focus Areas

• Scaling production capacity

• Introducing automation & equipment

• Building operational systems

• Developing team capability

• Preparing business for interstate expansion

Innovation & Product Development

• Create new products for:

  • Campaigns (e.g. Mother’s Day, ANZAC Day)

  • Events (e.g. Australian Open donuts)

• Work from briefs but own creative execution

• Present products for approval (Ebony + Dom)

Working Conditions

• Primarily day shifts (approx. 4:30am – early afternoon)

• Flexibility required:

  • Occasional overnight work (when needed)

• Multi-site oversight

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Highly experienced in:

  • Bakery + pastry operations

  • Multi-site environments

• Strong leadership capability (critical gap currently)

• Experience scaling production

• Strong understanding of:

  • Equipment and automation

  • Process optimisation

• Ability to adapt products to different conditions (e.g. humidity for Sydney)

Key Challenge

• Current team strong technically but lacking leadership

• Need someone who can:

  • Manage people effectively

  • Address performance issues

  • Build structure and accountability

Growth & Future Scope

• Key role in expansion to Sydney (target: 2028)

• Will lead:

  • Interstate production setup

  • Product adaptation for new environments

• Long-term strategic hire (5+ years)

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to travel interstate

• Strong alignment with growth vision

Status

• Potential candidate already in process

• Woods & Co to keep role warm and source opportunistically

• Back to browse jobs