Restaurant Manager – New Opening, Colombo

About the role

Corner House is a new restaurant and café opening in a restored mid-century house on Flower Road, Colombo, and is part of The Cliff Group. It is looking for a Restaurant Manager to join before opening and help shape the business from the start. The manager will work closely with the founding team and the kitchen to build the team, set service standards and put the systems in place for a successful opening and strong daily operations.

Key responsibilities

• Lead preparations for opening, working closely with the founding team and kitchen.
• Recruit, train and support the service team.
• Establish service procedures, opening and closing checklists and training routines.
• Manage rosters, stock, suppliers and operating costs.
• Lead daily service and maintain a consistent, welcoming guest experience.
• Maintain food safety, hygiene and cleanliness standards.
• Respond thoughtfully to guest feedback and help the team improve.

Required profile

• Experience as a Restaurant Manager or Assistant Restaurant Manager, with responsibility for leading a team and daily operations.
• A track record of maintaining service standards and managing staffing, stock and operating costs.
• Strong communication skills in English; Sinhala and/or Tamil would be an advantage.
• A hospitality management qualification is welcome; equivalent practical experience is equally valued.

Required skills

• Hands-on leadership, staff training and team development.
• Guest service and resolving concerns with care.
• Coordination between service and kitchen teams.
• Staff scheduling, inventory management and cost control.
• Knowledge of food safety and hygiene practices.
• Calm, clear communication and sound judgement during busy service.

Preferred: experience opening a restaurant or café, recruiting a team, developing service procedures and training programmes, coffee service and café operations, and familiarity with POS systems, sales reporting and supplier coordination.