At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead our food and drink strategy, menu development, and team inspiration.
- Company: Join Megan's, the nation's most-loved neighbourhood restaurant with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 50% off dining, competitive salary, and free meals every day.
- Other info: Dog-friendly workplace with plenty of growth opportunities and fun team socials.
- Why this job: Shape memorable dining experiences and grow with an exciting hospitality brand.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in food & beverage strategy and a passion for quality.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We’re on a mission to be the nation’s most-loved neighbourhood restaurant. Think sunshine-filled food, seriously good vibes, a team that’s got each other’s backs, and there's always a dog snoozing under someone's table. At Megan’s, food and drink are at the heart of everything we do. From brunches that feel like holidays to dinners that turn into long, laughter-filled evenings, our menus set the tone for the whole experience.
We’re now looking for a Head of Food & Beverage to help shape what that looks like on the plate and in the glass. This is a senior, influential role where you’ll set the direction for our food and drink proposition, lead a brilliant F&B team, and make sure everything we serve is guest-led, on brand, commercially strong and operationally spot on.
What you'll be doing
- Setting the vision: With direction from our Founder and Managing Director, you’ll define the long-term food and drink strategy for Megan’s. Translate big-picture thinking into clear priorities for menu development, trials, launches and continuous improvement. Act as the senior decision-maker on all things food & drink — balancing brand, guest experience, operational reality and commercial performance. Work closely with Operations, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain and the wider Support Office to make sure everything lands smoothly (and brilliantly).
- Menu development & commercial performance: Set the strategic framework for menu evolution, informed by data, guest insight, competitor activity and market trends. Provide clear direction to the Development Chef and F&B Manager on concepts, priorities and performance expectations. Own menu engineering at a senior level, pricing strategy, sales mix and contribution margin - working closely with Marketing on structure and storytelling. Ensure menus hit agreed margins, cost of sales and labour targets, while still driving sales growth across all day parts. Present clear, high-level menu performance insight and recommendations to senior leadership.
- Trials, launches & landing it in site: Own the end-to-end approach to trials and launches. From planning and testing through to rollout. Set clear success criteria and make confident calls on what progresses, what improves and what stops. Ensure tight cross-functional coordination ahead of launches, so sites feel prepared, not panicked. Stay accountable after launch - reviewing performance, resolving issues and driving continuous improvement. Make sure guest feedback and data actually turns into action.
- Supply chain, procurement & cost control: Provide senior oversight of supplier relationships and food & drink supply chain performance. Spot pricing, availability and quality risks early and deal with them decisively. Lead the strategic approach to procurement, partnering with Finance on major tenders and commercial decisions. Own food and drink cost performance, retros and margin delivery, escalating risks before they become problems.
- Leadership, governance & standards: Lead, develop and inspire the Food & Beverage team, setting clear objectives and high performance standards. Ensure menu changes are supported by clear, effective training that enables consistent delivery in site. Work closely with Operations and the People team to align training content, messaging and execution. Maintain robust oversight of food safety, allergens, nutrition and wider Health & Safety considerations - baked into every stage of menu development and launch.
What we're looking for
- Proven experience leading food & beverage strategy and menu development in a multi-site hospitality or casual dining business.
- Strong commercial and operational judgement, with confidence using data, systems and insight to make smart decisions.
- A genuine love of food and drink, with a sharp eye on trends, quality and guest expectations.
- A collaborative leader who can set direction, challenge thinking and bring teams with them.
Why join Megan's?
- Be part of a team that lives by our values: Team Player, Results Driven, Adaptable, Grit.
- Growth opportunities in a fast-expanding restaurant group.
- Plenty of upskilling opportunities through our apprenticeship programs.
- Dog friendly office and restaurants - please bring your fluffy four-legged friends to work!
- Competitive salary, perks & the chance to grow with one of the most exciting hospitality brands in London.
Perks & Treats
- 50% off when you dine with your favourite people.
- Plenty of fun, feel-good team socials.
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme - free, confidential support 24/7 including mental health sessions.
- Early access to wages through Stream.
- Long service awards and celebrations - think fancy meals out and relaxing weekends away.
- Free, delicious Megan’s food & drinks for lunch every day.
- Plus all the usual standard stuff like pension contributions & 28 days holiday.
Grow With Us
- Ongoing training & real progression opportunities - if you want to grow professionally, we’ll back you through fully funded programmes.
- Get involved in new openings as we grow.
- If you love food, care deeply about quality and detail, and get a genuine buzz from turning great ideas into menus that work across our 21 (and growing) sites - this one’s for you.
Head of Food & Beverage in London employer: careers.megans.co.uk - Jobboard
At Megan's, we pride ourselves on being more than just a restaurant; we are a vibrant community where food and drink come alive in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. As the Head of Food & Beverage, you'll not only lead a passionate team but also enjoy a range of benefits including competitive salaries, extensive training opportunities, and a dog-friendly environment that fosters creativity and collaboration. Join us in shaping memorable dining experiences while growing with one of London's most exciting hospitality brands.
Contact Details:
careers.megans.co.uk - Jobboard Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Food & Beverage in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food and beverage industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, let your love for food and drink shine through. Share your ideas about menu development and trends – it’ll show you’re not just looking for a job, but you genuinely care about the brand.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research Megan’s values and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Be ready to discuss how you can lead the F&B team and drive commercial performance – they want to see you’ve got a plan!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Megan’s and being part of something special.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Food & Beverage in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food & Drink:When you're writing your application, let your love for food and drink shine through! Share your experiences and what excites you about creating memorable dining experiences. We want to see that genuine enthusiasm!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your relevant experience and how it aligns with our mission at Megan's. We appreciate a well-structured application that’s easy to read!
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Head of Food & Beverage, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience. Talk about how you've inspired teams in the past and how you plan to do the same with us at Megan's.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at careers.megans.co.uk - Jobboard
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with Megan’s current menu and any recent changes. Think about how you would enhance it or introduce new concepts that align with their brand. This shows your passion for food and drink and your strategic thinking.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership approach and how you inspire teams. Share specific examples of how you've developed F&B teams in the past, focusing on collaboration and high performance. This role is all about leading a brilliant team, so demonstrate your ability to motivate and guide others.
✨Bring Data-Driven Insights
Megan’s values data and guest insights for menu development. Be ready to talk about how you’ve used data to inform decisions in previous roles. Discuss trends you’ve spotted and how they could apply to Megan’s, showing that you can balance creativity with commercial acumen.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about handling challenges in menu launches or supplier issues. Think through potential scenarios and how you would address them, emphasising your problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure. This will highlight your operational judgement and readiness for the role.
