Cafe Manager

Surfing Lizard is seeking an experienced and proactive Cafe Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of our busy beachfront venue in Coogee. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring smooth service delivery across breakfast, brunch, lunch and beverage operations while maintaining exceptional customer service standards, strong financial performance and compliance with food safety and liquor licensing requirements.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the daily operations of Surfing Lizard’s Coogee cafe, ensuring smooth and efficient service across breakfast, brunch, lunch, drinks, takeaway and all-day dining periods.

• Coordinate front-of-house, barista, bar and kitchen service flow to ensure timely delivery of food, coffee, smoothies, juices, alcoholic beverages and takeaway orders.

• Lead, roster, supervise and train front-of-house staff, including wait staff, baristas and service employees, to maintain consistent customer service and product knowledge.

• Ensure staff understand the venue’s extensive Asian-fusion menu, dietary options, add-ons, retail products, beverages, cocktails and customer customisation requests.

• Monitor customer satisfaction, handle customer feedback and resolve complaints professionally, particularly during peak beachside trading periods, weekends and public holidays

• Work with the owners and kitchen team on menu updates, seasonal specials, promotional items and the presentation of Surfing Lizard’s signature dishes and branded products.

• Coordinate group bookings, future bookings, family gatherings, birthday events, baby showers, Christmas parties and staff gatherings.

• Oversee the venue’s licensed service operations, including beer, cider, wine, spirits and cocktail service, ensuring compliance with liquor licensing obligations.

• Manage purchasing and stock control for coffee beans, milk, beverages, alcohol, fresh produce, frozen products, retail seasonings, sauces, powders and other operational supplies.

• Conduct regular stocktakes and implement stock rotation and wastage controls across food, beverage, coffee, alcohol and retail product inventory.

• Oversee the merchandising and sale of Surfing Lizard’s branded retail products, including coffee beans, seasonings, sauces, powders, pet treats and gift cards.

• Manage point-of-sale operations, daily cash handling, payment reconciliations, sales records, gift card transactions and booking-related payments.

• Analyse sales trends, customer demand and product performance to support pricing, promotions, staffing levels and business growth strategies.

• Prepare and monitor staff rosters, labour costs and daily service coverage in line with trading hours, seasonal demand, weekends, public holidays and beachside customer traffic.

• Ensure dining areas, customer areas, coffee station, bar area, retail displays, takeaway stations and customer facilities are clean, well-presented and operationally ready.

• Maintain compliance with food safety, workplace health and safety, hygiene, responsible service of alcohol, public holiday surcharge procedures and internal operating policies.

• Support marketing and promotional activities, including social media content, online booking systems, e-gift cards, takeaway promotions and customer engagement initiatives.

• Work closely with the business owners to improve operational systems, staff performance, customer experience and the continued growth of the Surfing Lizard brand.

• Perform other duties as reasonably required.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required

• Diploma in Business/Hospitality Management or similar discipline.

• At least 1-2 years experience as a Cafe/Restaurant Manager, Restaurant Manager, Venue Manager, Assistant Restaurant Manager or in a similar hospitality management role. 

• Demonstrated experience managing staff, customer service operations and day-to-day venue performance. 

• Strong leadership, organisational and communication skills. 

• Sound knowledge of hospitality operations, inventory control, rostering and budgeting. 

• Experience using point-of-sale systems and hospitality management software.

• Strong understanding of food safety, workplace health and safety, and liquor licensing requirements. 

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining high service standards.