Food & Beverage Manager
Interaction - Crawley · London, England ·
Job Description Food & Beverage ManagerLead and develop a high-volume, multi-outlet F&B operation We are looking for an experienced and commercially focused Food & Beverage Manager to take ownership of a busy, multi-outlet operation serving a large and varied customer base.
This is a senior, hands-on position with responsibility for the day-to-day running, performance and continued development of the entire food and beverage operation. The role covers everything from café and restaurant service through to grab-and-go outlets and seasonal or event catering.
You will be responsible for maintaining excellent standards while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, profitability and the overall customer experience. This position would suit an experienced hospitality operator who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and is ready to take genuine ownership of an F&B department.
The Role
Manage a high-performing F&B operation Take overall responsibility for food and beverage services, ensuring consistent standards of quality, speed and customer service across: Café and restaurant operationsGrab-and-go outletsSeasonal cateringEvent and function cateringYou will ensure the operation performs effectively throughout both busy and quieter periods, adjusting staffing, service and resources according to demand.
Improve commercial performance You will have clear responsibility for the financial and commercial performance of the F&B operation, with particular attention to: Increasing spend per headImproving gross marginsControlling food and operating costsMaximising labour efficiency and productivityReducing wasteImproving stock management and purchasingYou will be expected to identify areas for improvement and put practical strategies in place to increase profitability and overall performance.
Lead by example and develop the team This is a hands-on management role. You will be visible and involved during busy trading periods, setting standards and supporting your team when required. Alongside this, you will be responsible for: Developing supervisors and team leadersBuilding a strong management structureIncreasing the capability and confidence of the wider teamImproving staff engagement and retentionCreating a team structure that allows the operation to run effectively without relying on you for every decisionDevelop the F&B offering Use sales information, customer feedback and operational insight to continually improve the offer.
This could include: Reviewing menus and pricingImproving customer flow and service speedIdentifying opportunities for new products or servicesIntroducing ideas that improve the customer experience while delivering a commercial returnYou will have an important role in ensuring the F&B operation continues to evolve and make a meaningful contribution to the wider customer experience.
Seasonal and event planning Forward planning will be an important part of the role, particularly around busy trading periods, holidays and events. You will ensure: Staffing levels are appropriate for anticipated demandStock and purchasing are planned effectivelyService models are suitable for expected volumesThe operation is fully prepared for peak periodsFeedback and lessons from previous periods are used to improve future performanceAbout You We are looking for an experienced F&B professional with a background in high-volume hospitality, leisure, visitor attractions or a similar customer-focused environment.
The successful candidate will ideally be someone who: Is a confident, hands-on leader who enjoys being involved in the operationHas experience managing multiple outlets or a high-volume F&B environmentHas strong commercial awareness and understands how to improve profitabilityCan demonstrate a history of improving operational performanceHas experience managing and developing large teams, including seasonal employeesIs comfortable working with sales, labour and operational dataCan remain calm, organised and decisive during busy periodsHas the ability to balance customer service with commercial objectivesThe Working Environment The operation is highly seasonal and can be significantly influenced by customer demand, school holidays, weekends, events and weather conditions.
As a result, the role can be fast-paced and demanding, particularly during peak periods. It is also an opportunity for an experienced manager to have a visible impact on the performance and development of the department.
In return, the role offers: A varied position with significant responsibilityA predominantly daytime-focused operationThe opportunity to work in a busy, customer-focused environmentGenuine autonomy to develop and improve the F&B operationThe opportunity to make a direct commercial impactPotential to progress into wider operational leadershipExperience & Qualifications Proven experience as a Food & Beverage Manager or in a senior F&B leadership positionExperience within high-volume hospitality, leisure or visitor attractions is desirableStrong commercial and financial management skillsExperience with stock control and purchasingExperience with forecasting and labour planningProven ability to recruit, lead and develop teamsStrong understanding of food safety and operational standardsLevel 3 Food Safety qualification, or equivalent, would be desirableAdditional Information This is a full-time position and will require flexibility to work weekends, bank holidays and during key seasonal and peak trading periods.
The successful candidate will need to be comfortable working in a busy environment where customer demand can fluctuate significantly and where strong organisation, leadership and commercial decision-making are essential.
Working Hours & Flexibility This is a full-time role working 5 days out of 7, including alternate weekends . Bank holidays are considered normal working days, with this reflected in the 28-day annual leave allowance .For most of the year, the standard working hours are 9:00am–5:00pm , including a 30-minute unpaid break.
During the school summer holidays, these hours extend to 9:00am–6:00pm to support increased visitor numbers and operational demand. There will also be an expectation to cover approximately one 6:00pm finish per week to support after-school play sessions.
Throughout the year, there are a small number of evening events, including: Two fireworks evenings in OctoberFour camping weekends during July and AugustA small number of adult-only evening eventsYou would not be expected to work every event, but F&B management cover will need to be provided across all events .
These events are not generally late-running, with most finishing around 8:00pm–9:00pm , and the latest finishes expected to be around 11:00pm for adult evenings.