Executive Assistant

About Us:

OKAMI Japanese Restaurant is a pioneer in bringing Japanese style All You Can Eat into Australia. Every dish at OKAMI is freshly made to order from the menu with 45+ options. Combined with the cozy atmosphere, this makes OKAMI an essentially family and group gathering friendly venue. Learn more about us:

Package: $90k–$100k base + super + performance bonus

Work Arrangement:Flexible hybrid arrangement (Oakleigh South office + weekly VIC site visits + occasional interstate travel), including occasional weekend work to support operations.

About the role

More than an assistant, this role is a strategic partner and force multiplier to the COO. You will be entrusted with driving operational excellence across both the office and our multi-state restaurant network. Your contributions will directly execute key business priorities and strategic initiatives—acting as the COO's empowered onsite representative to provide decisive leadership, address critical issues, and ensure seamless operations at every level.

What you'll do

• Daily Operations & Performance Oversight: Proactively manage daily restaurant and cross-functional operations to identify and drive revenue optimization opportunities, ensuring all activities support and align with overarching sales growth targets.
• Process Optimization & Standardization: Develop, optimize, and standardize SOPs for all key workflows, spanning both restaurant operations and cross-departmental office functions, to drive efficiency and ensure consistency.
• Training & Development: Design, deliver, and evaluate comprehensive training programs—including new project rollouts, operational procedures, and ongoing skill development—to ensure operational excellence and measurable performance improvement across all functions.
• Customer Service: Implement and maintain consistent service standards across all venues by training managers in premium complaint resolution, establishing emergency response protocols, and driving continuous improvement through data-driven KPI analysis and reporting.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with key departments (Marketing, IT, Admin, etc.) to streamline daily operations and ensure seamless rollout of new initiatives through aligned workflows and timely communication.
• Executive & Administrative Support: Manage all daily paperwork, correspondence, and administrative tasks for the COO—including drafting communications, liaising with stakeholders, and ensuring compliance—to maintain accuracy, timeliness, and seamless operational flow.

What we are looking for

• 2+ years' experience in a restaurant leadership role (e.g. Venue/Store/Operations Manager), with a solid understanding of restaurant operations. Experience in Asian restaurants is highly regarded.
• Basic knowledge of kitchen operations, including cooking processes and menu development.
• A self-motivated individual with strong initiative, capable of independently identifying issues, developing creative solutions, and acting as a trusted advisor to the COO.
• High-level written and verbal communication, with experience drafting executive-level correspondence and documents.
• Hands-on trainer with demonstrated experience in frontline staff coaching and on-site training delivery.
• Extensive experience in resolving customer complaints and upholding high service standards.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Able to respond to urgent weekend issues (remote or on-site) as needed.
• Valid Australian work rights and full driver's licence.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken), Mandarin-speaking candidates will be highly regarded.

What we offer

• Competitive salary + super + performance bonus, with potential salary progression based on performance.
• Structured onboarding & training to fast-track your understanding of our BOH systems and standards.
• Supportive, high-energy team culture that values practical problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Career growth in a national, multi-site hospitality group with real scope to shape standards and outcomes.
• Hybrid flexibility with meaningful field time; travel across VIC/NSW/QLD/ACT (expenses covered).