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- Tasks: Lead a vibrant team in providing delicious meals and exceptional service at our school.
- Company: Join Thomas Franks, a unique catering business focused on fresh food and excellent service.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, free meals, enhanced leave, and fantastic training opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a fun, trendy environment that values individuality and teamwork.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering management, strong leadership skills, and a passion for food required.
- Other info: Free onsite parking and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 60000 £ per year.
A co-educational, independent day & boarding school in Wokingham, Berkshire. The school provides education for boys and girls aged between 3 months and 18 years, feeding about 1000 students and teachers daily. We offer a core feeding of breakfast, lunch & supper with a fair amount of hospitality throughout the year. This is a term time contract for the main school & 52 weeks for the nursery and operates 7 days a week. Working patterns are mixed across 7 days. Additional benefit to this location is free parking onsite.
We are looking for a talented General Manager to lead the team at one of our fantastic locations in Sindlesham. You will have previous experience of working as a General Manager at a B&I Head Office contract or independent school. The ideal candidate will need to be quirky, trendy and have a really bubbly friendly personality.
Key responsibilities:- To manage a team providing breakfast, lunch, retail, grab & go & hospitality.
- To ensure company bookwork is completed accurately and on time.
- To develop each area of the catering offer in line with client expectations/budgetary constraints and agreed offer development plans.
- To be responsible for the day-to-day operations of all catering facilities throughout the year working in line with the requirements of the business.
- To provide excellent food and customer service and respond quickly and proactively to customers' needs.
- To develop the food offer in line with current market trends and to the standards outlined in the Thomas Franks company values.
- To ensure age appropriate food is available in all locations throughout the dining period ensuring all special dietary requirements of pupils are adhered to at all times.
- To hold regular team meetings.
- To train and develop the team.
- To prepare month end accounts and reports for our client.
- To complete monthly audits.
- Ensuring company food standards are adhered to and wastage controlled.
- Ensuring all Food Hygiene and Health & Safety policies and allergen control procedures are followed.
- A genuine interest in food & excellent customer service skills.
- Excellent client relationship skills.
- An all-round team player and leader.
- An organised manager with attention to detail.
- Sound financial understanding.
- Multi-location management - a current group manager.
- Experience within high end B&I or independent education contract catering (hotel experience is a plus).
- Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms etc).
- Free meals on duty.
- Volunteers leave – up to one day per year.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Recommend a friend bonus.
- Unrivalled individual training and development.
- Well established apprenticeship programme.
- Team & company social events.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Workplace pension.
- Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.
About us: Thomas Franks is a founder led, fresh food catering business with a focus on excellence and service delivered with individuality, passion and style. We are unique in every approach and our clients, and our people are paramount to our daily success.
Disclaimer: All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role. An enhanced DBS, identity & reference checks (covering the last five years) will form part of the selection process. As an organisation using the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, Thomas Franks Ltd complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and undertake not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure based on conviction or other information revealed. However, for any post in a school please be aware that any application is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such any criminal conviction, caution or bind-over must be declared.
Diversity and Inclusion at Thomas Franks: We actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion and would like to invite applications from groups who are currently under-represented, because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life.
Contact Detail:
Thomas Franks Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of a school environment. Understanding the unique challenges and requirements of managing catering in an educational setting will help you stand out as a candidate who is genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the education and catering sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even referrals for the General Manager position.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing any previous experience where you successfully managed a team. Highlighting your ability to train and develop staff will demonstrate that you are the right fit for leading a diverse team.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current food trends and dietary requirements, especially those relevant to children and young adults. Being knowledgeable about age-appropriate nutrition will show your commitment to providing excellent service and meeting client expectations.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in catering management, particularly in B&I or independent school settings. Emphasise your leadership skills and any quirky or trendy initiatives you've implemented in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your genuine interest in food and customer service. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and improved catering services, aligning with the values of Thomas Franks.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your skills that match the job description, such as financial understanding, multi-location management, and excellent client relationship skills. Use bullet points for clarity and impact.
Showcase Your Personality: Since the role requires a bubbly and friendly personality, let your character shine through in your application. Use a conversational tone while maintaining professionalism to convey your enthusiasm for the position.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thomas Franks Ltd
✨Show Your Passion for Food
As a General Manager, your genuine interest in food is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your favourite culinary trends and how you can incorporate them into the school's catering services.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in managing teams effectively. Share examples of how you've trained and developed staff in previous roles, as this will show your capability to lead the team at the school.
✨Understand Client Expectations
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of the school and its students. Be ready to discuss how you would tailor the catering services to meet these expectations while adhering to budgetary constraints.
✨Prepare for Financial Discussions
Since financial understanding is key for this role, brush up on your knowledge of budgeting and reporting. Be ready to explain how you have managed finances in past positions and how you plan to do so in this role.
