General Manager  

Award winning restaurant and bar

Big Poppas, Sydney

Big Poppa’s is coming back to 96 Oxford St, Darlinghurst in late 2025 / early 2026!

The excitement around this reopen is palpable and Sydney is dying to see us open and trading again - we want an individual who is excited to rebuild this team from the ground up and lead the charge on doing this epic brand justice!

We are looking for an experienced General Manager to lead and oversee operations of this high-volume, award winning restaurant and cocktail bar. We are seeking an individual who is passionate about hospitality as a career, is customer service focused, displays great leadership and has the ambition to grow with us as a business.

The role:

Lead, manage and develop the entire team, from bartenders to bar-backs, waitresses and chefs.

Review and analyse day to day operational needs ensuring that the level of customer service is consistently in line with brand standards.

Manage the day to day FOH operations and ensure that the level of detail achieved to date is maintained throughout the entire product.

Manage and maintain an exceptional cocktail list, driving the team to come up with creative and innovative new drinks on a regular basis to meet list change deadlines.

Assist the head chef in managing and maintaining a delicious and dynamic food menu seasonally.

Maintain operations within budgetary requirements (wage cost, beverage costs, stocktake results, etc.)

Keep the venue in order by coordinating maintenance tasks and tradesman.

Working with junior management and Directors to formulate the best ways to drive sales

Report on performance - labour, cost of sales, productivity and staffing levels

Involvement in recruitment, training and development as well as on the job performance management

Motivate and inspire your team to achieve great results

As head of the leadership team you will be instrumental in the success and future growth of the venue 

Required skills & attributes:

Held a similar managerial position in a food driven venue and/or high end cocktail bar for a minimum of 24 months.

Ability to lead, manage, motivate and develop staff

Proven success driving revenue and profits

Knowledge of quality food & beverage products 

Knowledge of liquor licensing laws and venue compliance obligations

Experience with management reporting, stock control, OHS & handling venue security concerns

Strong organisational skills with the ability to think on your feet and multi-task

A strong understating of BOH systems and financial management

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to delegate effectively

Prepared to work flexible hours for 5 shifts including nights and weekends.

A passion for hospitality, leading from the front and developing relationships across all levels of the business

Minimum of 3 references available from differing past venues if applicable

 Salary & benefits:

$100,000 - $130,000 + Super package, negotiable based on experience

Employee discounts across the group (The Lobo , Kittyhawk and Big Poppas)

Meals on duty 

Established and proven BOH systems, the right candidate just needs to rebuild past performance before the shutdown and pursue ways to improve and grow the product. 

About us:

Big Poppa’s instantly became Sydney’s favourite late-night restaurant when It opened in July 2016.  Our modern Italian food was voted by both concrete playground and its readers as the best new restaurant in Sydney.  We focus on using local produce of the highest quality to create a casual dining atmosphere. The menu changes seasonally using sustainable produce as much as possible.  The chefs make all pasta and bread in house which flows through to the end product. The venue has a capacity of 134pax, and is spread over two levels.

Downstairs in the cocktail bar, our team of professional bartenders deliver the same quality service as upstairs but can turn the room into a party when the evening dictates.  So much so we were voted Australia’s best bartenders bar 2017.  The focus here is on world class cocktails to the background of hip hop.  We have a spirit selection to rival any in Australia with a wine list any hatted restaurant would be proud of.

The team are passionate about working together to give the best customer experience we can and are constantly looking to improve all aspects of the business.  They are aware that this is a dynamic process and are constantly trying new ways to take the business to the next level.

Big Poppa's operates 7 days a week from 5pm-3am. Any successful applicant will understand this is a FOH role where you will lead from the front and be working late a majority of weekends throughout the year.

We are part of a larger company called Merlino & Co., which also operates The Lobo and Kittyhawk,NY. We pride ourselves on being creative and innovative, and are looking for an individual who aspires to the same level of achievement who can continue to build our team and brand for years to come.

 PLEASE NOTE: Only candidates with skills and experience that meet our expectations as set out above will receive a reply to their application.