Lodge Manager

This is a current vacancy. A Lodge Manager position is being filled in Grahamstown. Suitable candidates from across Eastern Cape are invited to submit their applications for review.

About This Position

The organisation is investing in its Grahamstown operation, and this Lodge Manager position reflects that commitment. The successful candidate will work across the hospitality jobs function and contribute to the wider Eastern Cape business.

Expect a structured first ninety days, with onboarding milestones, regular check-ins, and an early focus on getting comfortable with the systems and processes that underpin the Grahamstown team.

Reasonable working hours and respectful planning are part of how the role runs. The team values strong delivery, and load is balanced fairly across the hospitality jobs group in Grahamstown.

Internal documentation, process notes and shared playbooks make it easier for the Lodge Manager to step into the hospitality jobs workflow quickly. Institutional knowledge is well-organised, so people are not reinventing the wheel from one week to the next.

Day in the Life

Your shift usually starts with a brief from the duty manager, a quick station check and a look at the day’s bookings or specials. As guests arrive, you slip into a steady rhythm — warm welcomes, accurate orders and seamless coordination with the kitchen and bar. Service peaks demand calm focus and tight teamwork, and quieter moments are spent resetting tables, polishing glassware or training a new starter. When the last guest leaves happy, you know you have delivered a memorable hospitality experience.

No two days look exactly the same — and that variety is part of what keeps the role engaging for the right candidate in Grahamstown.

On top of that, the rhythm rewards people who plan ahead but also pivot quickly when Eastern Cape operations throw up the unexpected.

Crucially, the Grahamstown office buzzes through peak hours and settles into focused, productive lulls in between, giving you time to plan and reset before the next stretch of work.

Your Workplace

Equally, the environment is service-led and people-centred. Expect varied hours, a high tempo during peaks, and a team culture built on hospitality and pride in the guest experience.

Health, safety and well-being are taken seriously. Current policies and procedures are maintained, and the Grahamstown site adheres to the standards expected of a responsible South African employer.

Importantly, the working environment is set up to give the team the focus needed for deeper work, while keeping collaboration and quick problem-solving close at hand.

A respectful, professional environment is the standard in Eastern Cape. Bullying, harassment and unfair conduct have no place here, and managers are trained to act decisively when concerns are raised.

Working in Grahamstown

Working in Grahamstown means a place in the growing Buffalo City Metro, with a steady flow of activity and a strong local economy. The team has built solid relationships across the Eastern Cape region, and the Grahamstown office benefits from those long-standing connections.

Accessibility is taken seriously: where the role allows, the team works toward a balance of in-office presence and flexibility for candidates based in and around Grahamstown.

Many candidates already living within reach of Grahamstown cite the location as one of the role’s quiet wins, with shorter commutes and a real sense of being plugged into the local Eastern Cape economy.

If you are relocating, the team can share practical pointers on neighbourhoods, transport and the typical pace of life in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape.

Your Team

Notably, the team you will be working with is fast-paced and energetic. Things move quickly across the Grahamstown office, and the people who thrive here are the ones who plan ahead, communicate openly and pick up the slack when Eastern Cape operations get busy.

Line management is hands-on without being heavy. Expect regular one-to-ones, honest feedback and the support needed to do good work consistently.

Collaboration is the default working mode. Whether picking up a quick query or working through a complex project, you will find colleagues willing to lean in and help.

Practically speaking, the team mix in Grahamstown reflects a balance of experienced operators and emerging talent, with deliberate space for diverse voices and backgrounds.

Core Functions

• Train casual staff on service standards and SOPs
• Operate point-of-sale systems and reconcile end-of-shift takings
• Take orders accurately and deliver food and beverages to standard
• Drive guest satisfaction scores and online review ratings
• Manage stock, breakages and consumables for your section
• Welcome guests warmly and ensure a smooth check-in and check-out experience

Who We’re Looking For

• Ability to remain calm and gracious under pressure
• Strong customer service orientation and warm guest interaction
• Physically able to stand for long periods in a fast-paced environment
• Team player who can work collaboratively across departments
• Matric / National Senior Certificate (Grade 12)
• Sound knowledge of food safety and HACCP principles

Equally, if most of these boxes are ticked, you are encouraged to put your name forward.