Hospitality and Catering Manager NEW

Hospitality & Catering Manager 

RAAF Base Tindal $80,000 – $95,000 Plus Super 

Not every hospitality role is about taking orders, carrying plates, or managing a restaurant floor. 
 
This one is about creating an exceptional experience for Defence personnel, leading a diverse team, running high-quality hospitality operations, and making sure everything behind the scenes works exactly as it should. 
 
We’re looking for a Hospitality and Catering Manager to lead the day-to-day operation of Defence mess facilities at RAAF Base Tindal. You’ll oversee hospitality services, bars, events, functions, customer experience, presentation standards, compliance, and a team that keeps the operation running smoothly. 

What’s on offer? 

• Salary between $80,000 – $95,000 + Super 
• A newly established leadership role with the opportunity to make your mark 
• The autonomy to run your department and lead your team your way 
• Exposure to a broad range of services within a major Defence contract 
• A supportive manager who values ownership, initiative and accountability 
• Career development opportunities within one of Australia’s largest essential services businesses 
• The chance to live and work in one of Australia’s most unique regions 

The role 

Leading a team across hospitality, bars, catering support and guest services, you’ll be responsible for ensuring Defence members receive a consistently high standard of service while maintaining operational excellence. 

Responsibilities 

• Leading and developing Mess Managers, bar staff, hospitality attendants and support teams 
• Managing hospitality operations across Defence mess facilities 
• Overseeing bars, formal functions, special events and hospitality activities 
• Building strong working relationships with Defence personnel and key stakeholders 
• Managing rosters, staffing requirements and workforce planning 
• Monitoring presentation, cleanliness and facility standards 
• Supporting financial processes, stock management and reporting 
• Ensuring compliance with food safety, HACCP and SHEQ requirements 
• Creating a positive customer experience across all service touchpoints 

About you 

• A people-first leader who can build rapport with a wide variety of personalities 
• Comfortable working within structured processes and compliance requirements 
• Resilient, adaptable and able to thrive in a dynamic operational environment 
• Hands-on when needed and willing to jump in to support the team 
• Empathetic, approachable and confident leading diverse teams 
• Strong enough to have difficult conversations while remaining collaborative 
• Professional, discreet and trusted by both staff and stakeholders 
• Driven by delivering high standards rather than simply getting through the day 

What you need to know 

This is a leadership role within a 7-day-a-week operation.

The hospitality and catering service at RAAF Base Tindal operates from 5:30am until close, seven days a week. While the role is based on a 38-hour week, your hours will flex to meet operational requirements, special events, business needs and team support requirements. 
 
We’re looking for someone who understands that great hospitality leadership means being present when it matters, supporting your team, and ensuring the operation runs smoothly. 

Requirements 

• Australian Citizenship is essential 
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Defence Security Clearance 
• RSA Certificate (or willingness to obtain) 
• Hospitality leadership, catering, accommodation or service operations experience 
• A genuine passion for customer service and people leadership 

About Ventia

As a leading services provider, we maintain, operate, and manage the essential infrastructure that makes modern life possible across Australia and New Zealand. With more than 35,000 employees and subcontractors across 400 sites, joining Ventia means becoming part of a team that values its people, supports career growth, and helps everyone go further towards their full potential.
 
Our commitment to Fairness, Inclusion and Respect shapes how we lead, collaborate, hire and support one another. We welcome applications from people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all genders, identities, sexual orientations, beliefs and caring responsibilities. We are dedicated to providing an accessible recruitment process and encourage you to request adjustments at any stage.   

How to apply  

Click the ‘Apply for job’ button to start the journey to find your further with Ventia.  

Position Reference Number: 167837