Garden Centre Assistant Restaurant Manager

Join to apply for the Garden Centre Assistant Restaurant Manager role at Hillier Nurseries Ltd. Hillier is looking for an Assistant Restaurant Manager to help lead our busy restaurant at our Hillier Garden Centre in Aldermaston, ensuring exceptional food, service, and team performance every day.

Working closely with the Restaurant Manager, you’ll play a key role in both front and back of house operations, supporting the smooth running of the restaurant and enhancing the customer experience. When the Restaurant Manager is away, you’ll step up to take full responsibility, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and seamless delivery. Flexibility is key – you may also be asked to support other Hillier restaurant locations.

This is a full‑time, permanent position working 37.5 hours per week averaged over a two‑week rota, with some weekend working. Salary of up to £30,000 per annum depending on experience.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting daily operations across kitchen and service areas
• Maintaining high standards of food quality, presentation, and hygiene
• Ensuring compliance with Hillier brand standards, food safety, and health & safety protocols
• Assisting with stock control, ordering, and minimising wastage
• Coordinating staff rotas and leading by example on the restaurant floor
• Supporting till operations, cash handling, and banking procedures
• Contributing to staff training, inductions, and performance reviews
• Acting as duty manager, including opening and closing the site securely
• Identifying opportunities for operational improvement and cost efficiency
• Creating a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for customers and staff

What we’re looking for

• Experience in a supervisory or management role within hospitality
• Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene qualification
• Knowledge of HACCP and allergen management
• Strong kitchen experience and ability to step in operationally when needed
• Proven ability to uphold health & safety and compliance standards

Personal qualities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Calm, confident, and solutions-focused under pressure
• Highly organised with strong time management skills
• Energetic, enthusiastic, and committed to team success
• Professional, flexible, and forward-thinking approach
• Passion for delivering outstanding customer experiences
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to foster a positive team culture

The Offer

• Salary of up to £30,000 per annum (depending on experience)
• Full-time, permanent role – 37.5 hours per week averaged over a two-week rota, with some weekend working
• Life assurance at 4x annual salary
• Option to join enhanced group pension plan
• Sociable hours
• Full training and access to our Online Learning Hub
• Employee discount of 20%
• 50% discount on restaurant menu whilst on shift
• 31 days annual leave
• Free onsite parking
• Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme – free counselling on health, financial, legal, and personal/family matters
• Company Christmas gifts (eligibility based on start date)
• Free solo entry to the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey, plus deals at other gardens nationally

Please note that we will only consider candidates who are already located in the UK and have right to work status.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.