Host / Hostess

JOB TITLE:

Host / Hostess

POSITION DETAILS:

Hourly (nonexempt) | On-site position | Kansas City, MO

REPORTS TO:

Hospitality Operations Management

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Host provides a welcoming and organized first impression for guests visiting J. Rieger & Co.’s food and beverage outlets. This position greets and seats guests, manages reservations and waitlists, answers questions, and helps maintain an efficient flow of service.

Hosts work closely with Servers, Bartenders, support staff, and managers to communicate guest needs and support a hospitable experience from arrival through departure. Depending on experience and business needs, Hosts may also be cross-trained and scheduled in other hourly hospitality roles.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Welcome guests promptly and provide a warm, professional arrival and departure experience.
• Manage reservations, walk-in guests, waitlists, and table availability using the company’s reservation systems.
• Seat guests according to established rotations, reservations, accessibility needs, table availability, and service capacity.
• Communicate accurate wait times and provide timely updates to waiting guests.
• Answer questions about menus, experiences, facility features, operating hours, and reservation policies.
• Answer incoming telephone calls and direct questions or messages to the appropriate person or department.
• Communicate large parties, special occasions, accessibility requests, and other guest needs to the appropriate team members.
• Coordinate with Servers, Bartenders, support staff, and managers to maintain an organized flow of service.
• Maintain clean, organized, and properly supplied host stands, entryways, waiting areas, and menus.
• Assist with table preparation, clearing, resetting, water service, and other service-support responsibilities when needed.
• Recognize guest concerns and communicate them promptly to the appropriate manager.
• Maintain working knowledge of J. Rieger & Co.’s food and beverage outlets, products, experiences, and current offerings.
• Complete assigned opening, closing, and side-work responsibilities.
• Follow all applicable company policies and safety, sanitation, and emergency procedures.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

• Starting hourly pay of $12 per hour, plus participation in the applicable tip pool when eligible.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible full-time employees.
• Paid time off accrued on an hourly basis, subject to eligibility and company policy.
• 401(k) retirement plan, subject to plan eligibility requirements.
• Overtime compensation as required by applicable law.
• Employees will receive at least the applicable minimum wage for all hours worked, as required by law.

HELPFUL EXPERIENCE:

• Previous experience in hospitality, restaurants, retail, customer service, or another guest-facing environment is preferred but not required.
• Warm, professional, and confident communication with guests and team members.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to remain calm and guest-focused during busy service periods.
• Comfort learning reservation, waitlist, telephone, and point-of-sale systems.
• Collaborative approach to working with hospitality and management teams.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and special events.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to remain on one’s feet and move throughout hospitality spaces for extended periods, including shifts of eight hours or longer.
• Ability to frequently stand, walk, bend, reach, twist, crouch, and use stairs while performing assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to regularly lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull heavier items with assistance or appropriate equipment when necessary.
• Ability to safely carry menus, glassware, dishes, food, beverages, and other service items through active guest areas.
• Ability to communicate effectively with guests and team members in environments that may be crowded or noisy.
• Ability to use reservation, point-of-sale, telephone, and other workplace systems.
• Ability to work in indoor and outdoor environments that may include loud noise, crowds, dim lighting, variable temperatures, weather conditions, wet or slippery surfaces, stairs, and uneven walking surfaces.
• Regular exposure to food, alcoholic beverages, cleaning products, and other materials commonly present in hospitality environments.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts based on business needs.

The physical requirements and work-environment conditions described above represent those generally necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals in accordance with applicable law.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

J. Rieger & Co. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, performance, and legitimate business needs without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Missouri, or local law.

J. Rieger & Co. provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and to qualified applicants and employees with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship. Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process should contact the hiring team.

J. Rieger & Co. prohibits unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against applicants or employees who exercise rights protected by law.