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Restaurant Controller Jobs in Phoenix, AZ (NOW HIRING)

A Controller who treats the numbers as a tool for running a better business, not just a monthly ... A mid to large sized, full-service hotel with an on-site restaurant and bar, and multiple banquet ...

A Controller who treats the numbers as a tool for running a better business, not just a monthly ... Property Snapshot • A mid to large sized, full-service hotel with an on-site restaurant and bar ...

Restaurant Manager

Scottsdale, AZ · On-site

$85 - $115/hr

This role is responsible for developing innovative cocktail menus, improving bar and restaurant operations, controlling beverage costs, contributing to 4-walls restaurant operations, and ensuring ...

Posted today

Restaurant Manager

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$60 - $75/hr

Ensures that the restaurant is adequately staffed to meet guest needs ... Controlling day-to-day operations - profit & loss, by following cash control/security procedures ...

Restaurant General Manager

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$51K - $70K/yr

As the Restaurant General Manager, you will achieve sales growth and maintain company standards of ... Controlling inventory to meet company GAP standards Supporting the team and District Manager in ...

Restaurant General Manager

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$54K - $75K/yr

As the Restaurant General Manager, you will achieve sales growth and maintain company standards of ... Controlling inventory to meet company GAP standards Supporting the team and District Manager in ...

Restaurant General Manager

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

As the Restaurant General Manager, you will achieve sales growth and maintain company standards of ... Controlling inventory to meet company GAP standards Supporting the team and District Manager in ...

Restaurant General Manager

Goodyear, AZ · On-site

$52K - $72K/yr

As the Restaurant General Manager, you will achieve sales growth and maintain company standards of ... Controlling inventory to meet company GAP standards Supporting the team and District Manager in ...

Restaurant General Manager

Queen Creek, AZ · On-site

$54K - $74K/yr

As the Restaurant General Manager, you will achieve sales growth and maintain company standards of ... Controlling inventory to meet company GAP standards Supporting the team and District Manager in ...

Restaurant General Manager

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$50K - $69K/yr

As the Restaurant General Manager, you will achieve sales growth and maintain company standards of ... Controlling inventory to meet company GAP standards Supporting the team and District Manager in ...

Restaurant General Manager

Mesa, AZ · On-site

$53K - $73K/yr

As the Restaurant General Manager, you will achieve sales growth and maintain company standards of ... Controlling inventory to meet company GAP standards Supporting the team and District Manager in ...

Restaurant General Manager

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$51K - $71K/yr

As the Restaurant General Manager, you will achieve sales growth and maintain company standards of ... Controlling inventory to meet company GAP standards Supporting the team and District Manager in ...

Restaurant General Manager

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$51K - $70K/yr

As the Restaurant General Manager, you will achieve sales growth and maintain company standards of ... Controlling inventory to meet company GAP standards Supporting the team and District Manager in ...

Restaurant General Manager

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$53K - $73K/yr

As the Restaurant General Manager, you will achieve sales growth and maintain company standards of ... Controlling inventory to meet company GAP standards Supporting the team and District Manager in ...

Restaurant General Manager

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$53K - $73K/yr

As the Restaurant General Manager, you will achieve sales growth and maintain company standards of ... Controlling inventory to meet company GAP standards Supporting the team and District Manager in ...

Restaurant General Manager

Surprise, AZ · On-site

$49K - $68K/yr

As the Restaurant General Manager, you will achieve sales growth and maintain company standards of ... Controlling inventory to meet company GAP standards Supporting the team and District Manager in ...

Restaurant General Manager

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$48K - $67K/yr

As the Restaurant General Manager, you will achieve sales growth and maintain company standards of ... Controlling inventory to meet company GAP standards Supporting the team and District Manager in ...

Restaurant General Manager

Gilbert, AZ · On-site

$52K - $72K/yr

As the Restaurant General Manager, you will achieve sales growth and maintain company standards of ... Controlling inventory to meet company GAP standards Supporting the team and District Manager in ...

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Showing results 1-20

Restaurant Controller information

See Phoenix, AZ salary details

$54.6K

$118.7K

$174.3K

How much do restaurant controller jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for restaurant controller in Phoenix, AZ is $118,650.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,300.00 and $137,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a restaurant controller?

Restaurant controllers are financial professionals responsible for managing the accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting of a restaurant or hospitality group. They oversee bookkeeping, payroll, inventory management, and compliance with financial regulations. Their main goal is to ensure profitability and financial health by analyzing costs, managing expenditures, and providing financial insights to restaurant management. They often work closely with owners, managers, and external accountants to support business decisions and growth.

What does a restaurant controller do?

A restaurant controller performs accounting duties for an eatery or food service company. As a controller, you oversee all accounting and reporting activities within the business. Your responsibilities include handling financial reporting tasks and ensuring compliance with financial regulations, working on tasks such as tax preparation, payroll, invoicing, accounts payable, and bookkeeping. Controllers also help with budget planning and financial strategizing with restaurant executives or ownership. You can undertake cost comparison activities, perform financial forecasting, and conduct other assessments to improve the financial performance of the restaurant.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a restaurant controller, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Restaurant Controller, you need a solid background in accounting, financial analysis, and hospitality management, often supported by a degree in finance or accounting. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and proficiency in Excel or accounting platforms like QuickBooks is typically required. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with both management and kitchen staff are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure accurate financial oversight, cost control, and efficient operations within a fast-paced restaurant environment.

What are the main challenges a restaurant controller faces in managing financial operations within a busy restaurant environment?

A Restaurant Controller often deals with the complexities of balancing tight margins, fluctuating inventory costs, and labor expenses. One major challenge is ensuring accurate and timely reporting while coordinating with kitchen, front-of-house, and management teams to track sales, control costs, and prevent waste. Controllers must also stay updated on regulatory compliance and implement financial controls that adapt to peak service periods and seasonal changes. Effective communication and a hands-on approach are key to overcoming these challenges and supporting the restaurant's profitability.

What is the difference between Restaurant Controller vs Restaurant Manager?

AspectRestaurant ControllerRestaurant Manager
Primary FocusFinancial oversight, budgeting, and accountingDaily operations, staff management, customer service
Required CredentialsAccounting or finance certifications, degree in business or financeHospitality management, experience in restaurant operations
Work EnvironmentOffice-based, finance departmentsFront-of-house and back-of-house restaurant settings
Employer UsageCorporate restaurants, hospitality groupsIndividual restaurant locations, hospitality industry

The Restaurant Controller primarily handles financial management, budgeting, and accounting tasks, ensuring the restaurant's financial health. In contrast, the Restaurant Manager oversees daily operations, staff, and customer experience. While both roles are essential in the restaurant industry, they focus on different aspects—financial versus operational management.

What are the most commonly searched types of Restaurant Controller jobs in Phoenix, AZ?

The most popular types of Restaurant Controller jobs in Phoenix, AZ are:

What are popular job titles related to Restaurant Controller jobs in Phoenix, AZ?

For Restaurant Controller jobs in Phoenix, AZ, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Restaurant Controller jobs in Phoenix, AZ look for?

The top searched job categories for Restaurant Controller jobs in Phoenix, AZ are:

Infographic showing various Restaurant Controller job openings in Phoenix, AZ as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, and 12% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $118,650 per year, or $57 per hour.

Operations Controller

Lambert Nemec Group

Phoenix, AZ

CA$100K - CA$120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


Job description

Operations Controller
Greater Phoenix, Arizona
Accounting & Finance | Lambert Nemec Group

Position Overview
Are you an operationally minded finance leader who would rather be out on the floor solving problems than parked behind a spreadsheet? A Controller who treats the numbers as a tool for running a better business, not just a monthly report to file?
 
Lambert Nemec Group has partnered with the ownership of a well established, full service, internationally branded hotel property in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area to recruit an operationally focused Controller. This is a rare chance to lead all financial operations on site for a busy property, with a direct line to ownership and a genuine path to broader leadership.
 
This is not a back office, numbers only role. Ownership wants a finance leader who is engaged with department heads, visible across the property, and confident enough to set standards and hold the line on them. The right person will earn trust quickly and grow into wider property leadership responsibility over time.
 
You will report directly to the ownership representative, with a single, clear line of reporting and the mandate to be a trusted, straight-talking voice back to them.
 
Property Snapshot
•    A mid to large sized, full-service hotel with an on-site restaurant and bar, and multiple banquet and meeting spaces
•    A sizeable team supporting the property through peak seasonal periods
•    An internationally recognized hotel brand, with brand standard systems and reporting requirements
•    Payroll and accounting supported through a third-party system
 
Key Responsibilities
 
Financial Operations
•    Own all day to day accounting and financial reporting for the property, including AP, AR, payroll oversight, and month end close
•    Prepare and present timely, accurate financial statements and variance analysis to ownership
•    Lead annual budgeting and ongoing forecasting in partnership with department leaders
•    Maintain strong internal controls, including cash handling, deposits, and reconciliation across all revenue centers
•    Meet brand mandated financial reporting standards and deadlines
 
Operational Involvement
•    Actively manage and control costs across rooms, food and beverage, and banquet operations, working directly with department heads rather than reviewing results after the fact
•    Join daily and weekly operations meetings and property walk throughs, bringing a financial lens to operational decisions
•    Track key operating metrics, including occupancy, average daily rate, RevPAR, and gross operating profit, and translate them into clear action for department leaders
•    Support labor cost management, including scheduling discipline and overtime control, alongside department heads
•    Play an active role in capital expenditure tracking and vendor and contract review
 
Leadership and Team
•    Bring structure and tighter controls to payroll and cash handling processes
•    Partner with ownership to formalize a clear, measurable incentive and bonus structure
•    Build credible working relationships across departments, acting as a trusted partner rather than an outside auditor
•    Support and mentor on site accounting and administrative staff, where applicable
•    Step into broader operational and leadership responsibility as trust and performance are demonstrated
 
Ideal Candidate
•    Five or more years of accounting or financial management experience, with hotel industry experience strongly preferred
•    A track record of being on the floor and engaged with operations, not purely desk bound
•    Comfortable in a hands-on, high accountability environment; this is not a nine to five role
•    Direct and structured, comfortable enforcing standards rather than prioritizing being liked by staff
•    Experience with hotel property management and accounting systems; brand standard reporting experience is a strong asset
•    Strong communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to nonfinancial stakeholders
•    Career focused and motivated by the opportunity to grow within a property level leadership track
•    Post secondary education in accounting, finance, or a related field; CPA or equivalent designation is an asset but not required
 
Compensation
•    Competitive base salary, commensurate with experience in the $100,000-120,000+ range
•    Industry leading performance-based bonus up to 50% of base salary, formalized under a clear, ownership approved incentive plan tied to measurable criteria
•    A direct line to ownership and a genuine path to broader property leadership
 
To Apply
Please apply in confidence through LinkedIn or Indeed, or through our website at www.lambertnemec.com. Alternatively, submit your resume (Word format preferred) directly to Nicole Venter at nicole@lambertnemec.com or Lourdes Azpillaga at lourdes@lambertnemec.com, quoting Operational Controller in the subject line.
 
Selected candidates will be contacted for a confidential discussion. All applications will be handled with strict confidentiality.
 
To view other opportunities currently available, visit: lambertnemec.com/career-portal