Operations Manager

Help Build a Place Where Hospitality Means More Than Service
Who we are

Noorderlicht is more than just a restaurant. For over twenty years, we've been a meeting place for people who believe hospitality can be about much more than food and drinks. We are a restaurant, cultural venue, event location, and living room by the IJ River. A place where locals, artists, entrepreneurs, festival visitors, and tourists naturally come together.

We believe genuine hospitality begins with attention. Attention for our guests, for each other, for nature, and for the world around us. That's why we're constantly building a company where culture, sustainability, quality, and entrepreneurship go hand in hand.

From cozy winter evenings by candlelight to vibrant summer days welcoming thousands of guests across our terrace and events, no season is ever the same. That diversity is what makes Noorderlicht unique.

As our Working Operations Manager
, you are the face of Noorderlicht on the floor. Together with your team, you shape the atmosphere, quality, and guest experience every single day.

You're not the kind of manager who spends the day behind a laptop. You'll be working alongside your colleagues, welcoming guests as if they were coming home, jumping behind the bar when it's busy, supporting the service team, and making sure the entire operation runs smoothly.

You are the link between the kitchen, front of house, events, and management. You notice what needs to be done before anyone has to ask. You maintain the overview, safeguard quality, and ensure every department works together as one team.

You understand that hospitality doesn't begin when a guest places an order. It begins the moment they walk onto our grounds.

Together with the management team, you'll continue building a company where quality comes naturally, employees genuinely enjoy coming to work, and guests can't wait to return.

• Lead the daily restaurant, terrace, and event operations
• Take responsibility for daily revenue, quality, and team performance targets
• Work alongside the front-of-house team and support the bar whenever needed
• Coach, mentor, and motivate the service team
• Welcome, train, and develop new colleagues
• Ensure consistently high standards of service and guest experience
• Oversee daily planning and coordinate smooth operations
• Respond quickly to busy periods and resolve operational challenges
• Work closely with the Head Chef, Sous-chef, and Event Manager to ensure every service runs seamlessly
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and actively contribute new ideas
• Lead by example in hospitality, professionalism, and teamwork

You're someone who genuinely enjoys working with people.

You love helping colleagues grow, taking responsibility, and being right in the middle of the action.

In addition, you have:

• At least 3 years of leadership experience in hospitality
• Experience working in restaurants with a high service standard
• A positive, coaching style of leadership
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure
• Experience with reservation and POS systems, preferably Dish POS and Zenchef
• Good command of both Dutch and English
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays

• A unique workplace at one of Amsterdam's most inspiring hospitality venues
• A varied role where restaurant operations, events, and culture come together
• Plenty of room for initiative, entrepreneurship, and bringing your own ideas to life
• A close-knit management team that genuinely values your input
• Opportunities to grow within a company that's continuously evolving
• A competitive salary between €3,400 and €3,800 gross per month
  , depending on experience
• Participation in our tip-sharing scheme
• Pension plan
• Travel allowance
• Budget for training and professional development

At Noorderlicht, we believe hospitality isn't a trick or a script. It's an attitude.

That's why we're not looking for a manager who simply keeps the operation running. We're looking for someone who makes people feel welcome. For our guests, Noorderlicht should feel like a place they'll always want to return to. For our colleagues, it should be a place they're proud to work.

Employment: Minimum 32 hours per week

Recruitment agencies: Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.