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

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  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

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  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

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    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

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    Culture Fit

    • Passionate about hospitality

    • Hands-on leader

    • Positive, motivating, team-focused

    • Strong trainer and coach

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    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

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      Salary

      • Target: $90K–$95K + super

      • Bonus: up to $8K KPI-based

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      Career Path

      • Clear progression into Operations roles

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

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      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

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      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)

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      Scope of Role

      • Oversee:

        • Bakery team

        • Pastry team

      • Manage:

        • Head Baker

        • Pastry team lead

      • Responsible for multi-site production strategy

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        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

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        Key Focus Areas

        • Scaling production capacity

        • Introducing automation & equipment

        • Building operational systems

        • Developing team capability

        • Preparing business for interstate expansion

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        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)

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        Working Conditions

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

        • Flexibility required:

          • Occasional overnight work (when needed)

        • Multi-site oversight

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          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)

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            Key Challenge

            • Current team strong technically but lacking leadership

            • Need someone who can:

              • Manage people effectively

              • Address performance issues

              • Build structure and accountability

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            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)

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              Additional Requirements

              • Willingness to travel interstate

              • Strong alignment with growth vision

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              Status

              • Potential candidate already in process

              • Woods & Co to keep role warm and source opportunistically