Training Manager

Thompson Hospitality is seeking a dynamic and results-driven restaurant training professional to join our team as the New Restaurant Opening & Training Manager. This position involves overseeing all new restaurant openings and development + oversight of training programs across all Thompson restaurants, including matchbox, Maker’s Union, Milk & Honey, Wiseguy Pizza, The Ridley, Hen Quarter, and more. If you have a proven track record in various restaurant roles spanning hourly to management, love fostering growth, and thrive in turning operational challenges into opportunities, this role is for you!

• New Restaurant Openings
• Lead and manage NROs providing guidance, coaching, support and feedback to managers and team members.
• Project management of New Restaurant Openings
• Curate and Lead Training Programs:

• • Develop and lead in-store training classes for Train the Trainer programs covering roles such as Server/Support Staff, Host, Cook, and Bartender Team Leads.
  • Ability to work from VA/MD/DC with travel to FL/OH area restaurants as needed

• Certification Support:

• • Collaborate with restaurant leadership to provide support, feedback, and coaching in the Certification of Trainers process.

• Training Workshop Creation & Facilitation:

• • Create and host in-store and virtual training workshops aligned with feedback from guests, sales data, personal observations, and input from business leaders and hourly team members.

• Collaboration & Coordination:

• • Collaborate closely with the Training & Beverage Department and Operations teams to coordinate enterprise training strategy.
  • Keep all training up to date and relevant with in-store offerings, operations & processes.

• Hands-On Operational Excellence In-Store Training:

• • Provide hands-on, on-site operational excellence training for various roles within the restaurant, highlighting job-specific training, customer service standards, food & beverage product knowledge, compliance & safety, and systems.
  • Validate team member expertise, ensuring that employees understand and adhere to standard operating procedures.
  • Work with teams in a variety of concepts spanning fast causal counter service, full-service casual, elevated full service and fine dining.

• In-Store Audits:

• • Conduct in-store visits to audit hospitality, service steps, product knowledge, salesmanship, operational effectiveness, cleanliness, safety, and ambiance.

• Performance Improvement:

• • Provide feedback to restaurant leaders based on audits and develop training initiatives and approaches to improve performance or knowledge.
  • Deliver positive & constructive feedback to team members to bridge skills gaps.

• • Unwavering hospitality
  • Thorough understanding of restaurant operations, from front-of-house to back-of-house processes.
  • Proven track record of enhancing restaurant employee performance and driving organizational success.
  • Strong teaching and facilitation abilities, making training sessions engaging and informative.
  • Patience in guiding and mentoring employees with the ability to address unique needs and challenges.
  • Professionalism, able to maintain a positive demeanor to motivate trainees.
  • Efficient management of training schedules, materials, and resources.
  • Strong leadership and team management skills, inspiring, coaching, and developing teams.
  • Clear and articulate communication skills to convey information effectively.
  • Ability to teach salesmanship while maintaining a focus on customer-centric needs & desires.
  • Leads by example, modeling and articulating real-time adherence to operational and service standards.

Software

• • Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite, Restaurant Point of Sale Software, Restaurant Inventory and Ordering Software, Learning Management Systems, and Restaurant Scheduling Software.

Reporting

• • Analyzing guest reviews, PMIX and P&L with a focus on measuring sales, check average, gratuity average, comps and guest sentiment.
  • Pulling reports on training completions and quiz performance, to identity areas of opportunity and compliance needs.

Competitive Benefits:

• Health/Dental/Vision
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k), matched up to 4%
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement

• Employee Referral Program
• Pet Insurance
• Discounts: Hotels, Travel, Tickets, Restaurants
• Employees and their relatives are eligible for a discounted meal plan at any of our HBCU client locations while they are attending school

Who We Are:

Thompson Hospitality is of the largest restaurants, food service, and facilities management companies in the country. We are highly built upon our values, do the right thing, do the best you can, and treat others how you want to be treated, which are shaped by more than 33 years of relationships with our clients, guests, and communities. We offer competitive benefits, see our website for more.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws.