At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic hospitality operation, inspiring your team to deliver exceptional service.
- Company: Join Lodestone House at Sherborne School, a prestigious independent school.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, onsite parking, discounts, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values innovation and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vibrant educational environment while advancing your hospitality career.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality management and a passion for outstanding customer service.
The predicted salary is between 27900 - 34100 £ per year.
Lodestone House is proud to partner with Sherborne School, delivering exceptional food, hospitality and service within one of the UK's leading independent schools. We're looking for an experienced General Manager who is passionate about delivering outstanding hospitality, exceptional customer experiences and strong operational performance. This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious hospitality professional to take overall responsibility for a high-quality operation within a prestigious education environment.
As General Manager, you'll lead the day-to-day operation, inspiring your team to deliver excellent food and service, strong financial performance and consistently high standards, while building trusted relationships with the school and its wider community.
What We Offer
- Free meals whilst on duty
- Free onsite parking
- Contributory pension scheme
- Excellent Career Pathways and MyLearning development programmes
- Quick access to a Digital GP for you and your immediate family, plus wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your weekly shop with discounts at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets
- Cash rewards every time you spend with participating brands
- Free wellbeing, mindfulness and exercise classes
- Access to a wide range of discounts and offers for you, your friends and family
About the Role
As General Manager at Lodestone House at Sherborne School, you'll take overall responsibility for the operational performance of the catering and hospitality service. Working closely with the school and Lodestone House leadership teams, you'll ensure the delivery of an exceptional service that meets the needs of pupils, staff, visitors and guests. You'll lead and inspire a talented team, manage budgets and resources, build strong client relationships and drive continuous improvement across the operation. You'll also identify opportunities to enhance the school's hospitality offer, improve customer satisfaction and deliver sustainable commercial results.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, motivate and develop your team to deliver exceptional food, hospitality and customer service.
- Take overall responsibility for the day-to-day management and performance of the catering and hospitality operation.
- Ensure all contractual, company, school and legislative standards are consistently achieved.
- Oversee the delivery of high-quality catering, hospitality and associated services.
- Ensure excellent food safety, health & safety, hygiene and compliance standards are maintained at all times.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with Sherborne School, pupils, staff, visitors and key stakeholders.
- Review customer feedback and satisfaction results, implementing effective continuous improvement plans.
- Manage budgets, labour, food costs and operating costs to achieve financial targets.
- Monitor purchasing, stock control and wastage to maximise efficiency and value.
- Identify opportunities to enhance the school's food and hospitality offer and improve the overall customer experience.
- Deliver outstanding hospitality for school events, functions and other special occasions.
- Ensure all compliance documentation, audits and reporting are completed accurately and on time.
- Drive engagement, innovation and added-value initiatives across the operation.
- Recruit, coach and develop team members, supporting career progression and succession planning.
- Create a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture.
- Work closely with the school to understand its priorities and ensure the service continually evolves to meet its needs.
- Act as a positive ambassador for Lodestone House and Sherborne School.
Who We're Looking For
You'll be a confident, commercially focused and inspirational leader with a genuine passion for food, hospitality, people and service excellence. You'll be comfortable taking ownership of a complex operation, making informed decisions and inspiring your team to deliver exceptional results within a prestigious independent school environment.
You’ll Have:
- Previous General Manager, Operations Manager, Catering Manager or similar senior management experience within contract catering, hospitality, education, healthcare, B&I or a comparable environment.
- Strong people management and leadership skills.
- Proven experience managing budgets, costs and financial performance.
- Excellent knowledge of food safety, health & safety and compliance requirements.
- Strong client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
- A genuine passion for delivering excellent customer service and hospitality.
- Experience managing a complex catering or hospitality operation is desirable.
- Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.
- A hands-on and visible management style, with the ability to motivate, coach and develop teams.
- A commercial mindset with the ability to identify opportunities and deliver results.
- A proactive approach, with a focus on innovation, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
This is an exciting opportunity to join Lodestone House at Sherborne School and play a key role in delivering an exceptional catering and hospitality experience across the school. If you're an experienced hospitality leader looking for your next challenge and want the opportunity to make a real impact within a prestigious independent school, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today and take the next step in your career as General Manager with Lodestone House at Sherborne School.
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General Manager - Sherborne employer: All The Top Bananas
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - Sherborne
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like All The Top Bananas. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to All The Top Bananas
Don't be shy about reaching out to All The Top Bananas directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - Sherborne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about All The Top Bananas and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
