What are the responsibilities and job description for the Training Manager position at Il Fornaio?
Join our team at Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana as a Training Manager.
Il Fornaio - Training & Recruiting Department
Full-Time | Travel Required (up to all 18 restaurant locations)
About Il Fornaio
Il Fornaio is an Italian restaurant group dedicated to delivering authentic Italian cuisine, exceptional hospitality, and an outstanding guest experience. We believe that great service begins with great training - and we are looking for a passionate and knowledgeable Training Manager to help elevate our teams across all locations.
Position Summary
The Training Manager will play a key role in developing, delivering, and maintaining high-impact training programs for hourly employees and managers throughout the company. This position will work closely with the Director of Training & Recruiting, restaurant leadership teams, certified trainers, and cross-functional departments to strengthen knowledge, consistency, and hospitality standards across all restaurants.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a hands-on environment, enjoys spending time in restaurants, and is passionate about teaching food, wine, cocktails, and service excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Il Fornaio - Training & Recruiting Department
Full-Time | Travel Required (up to all 18 restaurant locations)
About Il Fornaio
Il Fornaio is an Italian restaurant group dedicated to delivering authentic Italian cuisine, exceptional hospitality, and an outstanding guest experience. We believe that great service begins with great training - and we are looking for a passionate and knowledgeable Training Manager to help elevate our teams across all locations.
Position Summary
The Training Manager will play a key role in developing, delivering, and maintaining high-impact training programs for hourly employees and managers throughout the company. This position will work closely with the Director of Training & Recruiting, restaurant leadership teams, certified trainers, and cross-functional departments to strengthen knowledge, consistency, and hospitality standards across all restaurants.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a hands-on environment, enjoys spending time in restaurants, and is passionate about teaching food, wine, cocktails, and service excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct in-restaurant training visits to all Il Fornaio locations, focusing on hourly employee development and hospitality excellence.
- Facilitate training classes on food knowledge, wine & beverage, service & hospitality, and company standards.
- Support and develop Certified Trainers and assist with maintaining the Certified Trainer Program.
- Deliver training and coaching to restaurant management teams as needed.
- Assist with onboarding and development programs for new hires, including FOH and BOH team members.
- Maintain training materials, manuals, quizzes, and LMS (Schoox) content.
- Support the rollout of new menu changes, including training, quizzes, and knowledge checks.
- Work collaboratively with HR, Operations, and the Director of Kitchen Operations to ensure consistent execution of standards.
- Travel regularly to restaurants to support ongoing development needs, new initiatives, and brand standards.
- Represent the Training Department in a professional and welcoming way, fostering a culture of hospitality, learning, and continuous improvement.
- Minimum 2 years of experience in restaurant management, training, or hospitality leadership.
- Strong knowledge of food, beverage, wine, and service standards.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to travel to all 18 restaurant locations as needed.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects at once.
- Comfortable facilitating classroom training and hands-on learning in busy restaurant environments.
- Passion for hospitality, teamwork, and developing others.
- Previous experience in training or multi-unit restaurant operations.
- Familiarity with LMS platforms (e.g., Schoox).
- Knowledge of Italian cuisine, wine, and culture.
- Certified Trainer or leadership development experience.
- Competitive salary
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Travel opportunities across all Il Fornaio locations
- A collaborative, people-focused culture
- The chance to make a meaningful impact on the guest and employee experience companywide