Spotlight on Raminta Mackeviciute, Assistant General Manager at Manzi’s

What is your job role and how long have you worked for the company?

I have had the pleasure of working for the company for 11 months. I joined during the initial recruitment phase for Manzi's, which provided me with an excellent opportunity to immerse myself in the business and become acquainted with the team as we prepared for our June opening.

In my role as Assistant General Manager and I look after all sorts of things – from an operations point of view, I oversee our daily operations and lead our floor managers, and I also mentor and train our team members. When service is finished, I work on a number of managerial tasks such as admin, finance and HR related activities.

I really love the team I work with – we have about 50 people in our team and everyone brings their own unique strengths and perspectives to what we do.

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Take us back to the beginning – how did your journey into hospitality begin?

Hospitality came by accident if I’m honest. I grew up in Lithuania and travelled to the UK in 2009 to study a master’s degree in environmental engineering. During my studies I worked behind the bar in our local pub – it was a steep learning curve because there was so much I didn’t understand (needless to say my English skills improved quickly.). After completing my masters and whilst looking for a graduate role in engineering, I began working as a cleaner in a Turkish restaurant in London.

My mom always taught me to be the best at everything I do – she said “If you are going to be a cleaner, be the best cleaner!” I was so determined to be brilliant and it was actually one of the waitresses who approached me and explained the benefits of a server role and that you could also earn tips. I applied for the job, did a trial shift, was absolutely awful - but they still gave me a chance.

Over the course of a year, I honed my skills as a waitress and began falling in love with the hospitality profession. My career path took me to a chain of Mexican restaurants, where my dedication and commitment were recognised when I achieved a 100% score on a mystery diner evaluation. This led to an immediate promotion to Supervisor, marking a pivotal moment in my hospitality journey.

Throughout my career I've been fortunate to encounter mentors who believed in my potential and invested in my growth at every step of the way. Despite humble beginnings, spanning over seven years, I've worked my way up to a management role, which I absolutely adore with all my heart.

As a manager, I prioritise attitude and passion over technical expertise when hiring - I believe that whilst most skills can be taught, genuine enthusiasm and passion for service needs to come from within.

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What advice would you give aspiring managers?

Honestly, I’ve made many mistakes along the way, but that’s how you learn, how you grow, so don’t beat yourself up when you make mistakes. You move on, you learn, and you get better.

My advice to aspiring managers is twofold: firstly, be patient with yourself and your progression. The road to management isn't always a straight one, but setbacks can offer you the time and space for self-discovery and to improve your skills. If the promotion you want doesn't happen straight away, use that time to broaden your expertise, not just in operational aspects but also in interpersonal skills and leadership abilities.

Secondly, recognise that a career in management is an ongoing journey of learning and development. Stay open to new experiences, always look for opportunities to grow, and never become complacent in your current role. A career in this is business is definitely a journey, a pathway. I’m still learning every day.

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What drew you to working for The Wolseley Hospitality Group (TWHG)?

For me, TWHG is a very respectable company, and its reputation for being a business that is fair, inclusive and has a wonderful working culture, is well known. You can ask anyone in our business or in fact, anyone in our industry about TWHG and they will tell you what a formidable and well-loved company this is. They look after their people incredibly well, you have every opportunity to learn or develop yourself, and aside from the team members loving it here, our guests love our company too. That makes it a really special place.

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What does it take to work at TWHG or in hospitality in general?

You must have hospitality from your heart! You need to understand that service is an experience, it’s a feeling, it’s the way you make people feel when you serve them – it’s difficult to teach that, but if you have a positive attitude and plenty of passion to start, you’re half way there.

Be open to feedback because that’s how you will grow. You also need patience and reliability. We work long hours but we choose to be here, so show up on time and have a positive attitude – we can teach you the rest.

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Has there been one piece of advice that anyone gave you that stuck with you?

One piece of advice that has profoundly influenced me throughout my life came from my mother: 'It doesn’t matter what you do in life, just be the very best at what you do.' This mantra has been a guiding principle for me, especially during challenging times. I clearly recall facing the stressful task of writing a 60-page dissertation in English, a language that isn't my first language. Despite the difficulty, I remained focused on my mother's words, and poured all my effort into the assignment. To my amazement, I not only completed it but I actually excelled. Looking back, I'm reminded of the power of perseverance and self-belief. It's a testament to how we can often surprise ourselves when we push beyond our limits.

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What have you learned from being in this industry that people should know?

It’s a career. It’s not a summer job. It’s not a part time gig. The younger generation don’t see hospitality as a career move, but I promise you it’s a rewarding and incredible career journey. Look at our CEO Baton Berisha – he started out as a kitchen porter and worked hard to progress – he’s been a CEO for many years even though he is still young. It’s definitely an industry that offers you an abundance of ways to grow, get promoted and move in many different directions.

Also, I have learned that if the answer for anything is NO, it’s no for now, not forever. Don’t get down, stay motivated and just remember it’s not no forever.

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Who inspires you in life?

You know, I find inspiration in strong women. I've been fortunate to have incredible role models in my life, starting from my grandmother and my mom, who've always shown me the power of resilience and determination. Then there's Janene Pretorius , Sara Conway , and Johanna Wimmer , who've each left their mark on me in different ways. Janene, for instance, I've crossed paths with her in several workplaces, and her work ethic is just incredible. She's this perfect blend of strength, kindness, and supportiveness.

And Johanna, oh, she's been a game-changer for me. She saw something in me, believed in my potential, and pushed me to go beyond my comfort zone. I'll never forget how she encouraged me to participate in those nerve-wracking competitions. Her guidance not only helped me perform well but also propelled my career forward. And then there's also a wonderful junior waitress at Manzi’s - a single mom who juggles so much with such grace. Her dedication and hard work just leaves me in awe. These women, in their own ways, have shaped my path and continue to inspire me every day. ?

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Do you have any hidden skills or talents that we should know about you?

Actually yes! I am good at styling, I’m also pretty good on the basketball court and I used to play the piano really well (although I probably need a day or two to refresh my skills). But mostly I think my superpower is positivity. I think that’s a talent worth shouting about.

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