Restaurant General Manager & Sommelier - (Contemporary Independent Restaurant)

OverviewAn independent, craft-led dining and natural wine concept in Abu Dhabi is seeking a hands-on Restaurant General Manager & Sommelier to lead operations and service at floor level. This is a senior front-of-house leadership role for a commercially sharp hospitality professional who thrives in high-volume, high-expectation environments and combines strong restaurant management with solid wine expertise.The venue is not corporate or scripted. It is service-driven, fast-paced, and built around quality, craft, and consistency. The successful candidate will take ownership of the guest experience, team performance, and commercial results, acting with the mindset of an operator rather than an employee.Key ResponsibilitiesLead daily restaurant operations, ensuring smooth, structured service during peak volumeActively manage the floor, guest flow, reservations, queue management, and table allocationDeliver warm, confident guest engagement and resolve service issues in real timeOversee and curate a natural / low-intervention wine program, including list management and menu engineeringTrain, coach, and motivate FOH staff, including structured wine and service trainingCommunicate wine stories in an accessible, non-pretentious manner to guestsManage beverage stock control, supplier relationships, ordering, and inventory rotationOwn restaurant financial performance, including food and beverage cost controlTrack sales mix, margins, and weekly performance metrics; adjust strategy accordinglyConduct monthly financial reviews, budgeting, and forecasting with ownership visibilityIdentify and execute commercial opportunities such as upselling, events, and activationsBuild and maintain SOPs, service standards, and training systemsLead by example during shifts and high-pressure service periodsQualifications3–5+ years’ experience in restaurant leadership roles within busy, high-volume venuesProven experience as a Restaurant General Manager in premium or independent hospitality conceptsStrong Sommelier background with a focus on natural or craft-driven wine programsWSET Level 3 or equivalent professional wine certification requiredSolid understanding of restaurant P&L, budgeting, and cost control (non-negotiable)Commercial mindset with the ability to translate data into operational actionFluent English required; Arabic is an advantage but not mandatoryCalm under pressure, service-driven, and highly resilientAmbitious, growth-oriented, and motivated to build with a brand long termCompensation and BenefitsAED 17,000–20,000 per month (DOE, tax-free, all-inclusive)Eligible for service charge and gratuitiesPerformance-based annual bonusMedical insurance providedDuty meal providedReturn flight ticket every 24 monthsVisa sponsorship includedSingle-status live out positionAdditional InformationLocation: Abu Dhabi, UAEWorking schedule: 6 days per weekStart date: 01 June 2026Casual-chic dress code; no uniform providedWe appreciate your interest in this vacancy. Due to the high number of applications we receive, only candidates selected to move to the next stage of the recruitment process can be contacted. Radiant does not charge any fee to candidates - all costs are always covered by the client#J-18808-Ljbffr