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- Tasks: Lead operations at The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, ensuring exceptional food and service standards.
- Company: Join Company of Cooks, a leader in hospitality with diverse venues and a passion for great food.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like personal development, life assurance, competitive holidays, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant team, innovate in hospitality, and make a real impact on guest experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing large teams and catering operations, with strong commercial acumen required.
- Other info: Flexible working hours to meet the demands of a dynamic 7-day operation.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Here at Company of Cooks we operate one of the largest portfolios of Leisure Venues, Tourist Attractions and Stadia. Each of our locations has its own unique personality which we celebrate as we continually look to improve our client’s financial position, whether that’s through the food we serve, the events we run or the sales we deliver. We understand the role great food and people can play in a successful event! We are excited to be recruiting for a General Manager to work with us at The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Within Kew we provide a variety of hospitality options to cater for every dining requirement including cafes, a la carte restaurants, food halls, pop ups and events. The business is a 7 day a week operation and we are looking for someone who can be flexible to work around all the associated business pressures to deliver superlative outcomes. We are looking for someone who can be responsible for the operation, in house sales, finance and development of the business whilst ensuring that the service and operation is delivered to an exceptional standard, achieving all set financial targets and budgets.
Key Responsibilities:
- Work with the Executive Chef and site management team to ensure that the client expectations of food and food service are consistently delivered to the highest standards
- Continually review, enhance, improve service and food within the 5 onsite outlets at Kew plus the various pop up/mobile outlets and events they deliver
- Develop and sustain strong working relationships with the client and team
- Regularly attend client presentations, briefings
- Create and review annual budgets
- Manage and develop a large team
- Project management
Our ideal candidate:
- Will have solid industry experience inspiring and leading remote and multi-site management teams of 150+ ideally with a background of catering
- Will have excellent commercial acumen and experience managing turnovers of £10 million+
- Will have true passion for hospitality, keeping up to date with the latest food trends, be keen to continually innovate
- Will be a persuasive and articulate communicator with the ability to develop and sustain strong working relationships
What’s in it for you?
Working with Company of Cooks has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we’ve developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.
- Personal Development and Training opportunities
- Life assurance scheme
- Pension scheme
- Competitive holiday allowance
- Private medical eligibility
- Eye care
- A great wellbeing strategy - including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
- Family friendly support
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders
- A holiday purchase scheme
- Volunteering days
- Professional subscriptions
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Long service awards
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers
Company of Cooks officially formed part of CH&CO Catering Group Ltd in 2020. A Honest Approach, A Passionate Team, Quietly Confident.
General Manager employer: Company of Cooks
Contact Detail:
Company of Cooks Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the unique offerings of The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Understanding their specific dining options and events will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the venue during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the hospitality industry, especially those who have experience in managing large teams or multi-site operations. This can provide you with valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on the latest food trends and innovations in hospitality. Being able to discuss current trends and how they can be applied at Kew will showcase your commitment to excellence and innovation.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with financial management and budget creation. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed large turnovers and achieved financial targets in previous roles.
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 hospitality management, particularly in multi-site operations. Emphasise your leadership skills and any experience managing large teams, as well as your financial acumen.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for hospitality and your understanding of the unique challenges faced by the Company of Cooks. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed similar operations or improved service standards in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: When detailing your work history, focus on quantifiable achievements, such as increasing turnover or improving customer satisfaction scores. This will demonstrate your ability to meet the financial targets and operational standards expected in the role.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since the role requires strong communication with clients and team members, include examples of how you've effectively communicated in past positions. This could be through presentations, team meetings, or client interactions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Company of Cooks
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a General Manager, you'll be leading a large team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed and inspired teams in the past.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since the role involves managing significant budgets, come ready to talk about your experience with financial management. Highlight any specific achievements related to increasing turnover or managing costs effectively.
✨Know the Company and Its Venues
Research Company of Cooks and their various venues, especially The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Understanding their unique offerings and challenges will show your genuine interest and help you tailor your responses.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle pressure. Think of scenarios where you've had to improve service or manage a crisis, and be ready to share those experiences.
