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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations and drive improvements in our vibrant Farm Shop and Café.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Cowdray Farm Shop, Café and Lifestyle in West Sussex.
- Benefits: Exciting redevelopment project, career growth, and a chance to shape the future.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative journey and make a real impact on customer experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail or hospitality, strong leadership, and problem-solving skills.
- Other info: Great opportunity for those with transferable skills and ambition to grow.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
We are seeking a dynamic and commercially minded Operations Manager to join our Farm Shop, Café and Lifestyle business in West Sussex at a particularly exciting point in its journey. Our business brings together a farm shop, butchery, café, production kitchen and lifestyle retail, employing a large and dedicated team. With a major redevelopment project on the horizon, this is a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of the business.
The Role
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Operations Manager will play a central role in the day to day running of the business, while also contributing to its longer term development and success. This is a hands on and varied role, requiring strong leadership, commercial awareness and a proactive approach to problem solving.
Key Responsibilities
- Providing operational support across all areas of the business, ensuring consistency and high standards including goods in and ordering
- Planning and delivery of our courtyard events including our Spring tasting, Apple day and Christmas market
- Supporting communication and coordination between departments and the wider Cowdray Estate
- Managing and optimising the business website and online ordering platforms
- Working closely with the Estate marketing team to drive footfall and customer engagement
- Leading the team at Little Cowdray in Chichester
Business Transformation & Development
A core focus of this role is to support the ongoing evolution of the business. The successful candidate will be encouraged to take a proactive approach in identifying and delivering improvements across operations. This will include:
- Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency across departments
- Enhancing the customer experience both in-store and online
- Supporting initiatives that drive revenue growth and profitability
- Contributing to the development of systems, processes and ways of working as the business prepares for redevelopment
About You
- An experienced operator with a strong understanding of multi-faceted retail or hospitality environments
- A confident leader, able to motivate and support teams across different functions
- Commercially aware, with the ability to spot opportunities and implement improvements
- Highly organised, adaptable and comfortable managing a varied workload
- A strong communicator, able to work collaboratively across the business
Why Join Us
This is an incredibly exciting time to join the business as we move towards a significant redevelopment project. The successful candidate will have a genuine opportunity to influence and shape both the operational structure and the future direction of the business. We recognise that candidates may not have experience across every aspect of this role, we encourage applications from individuals with strong transferable skills and the ambition to shape and grow the position over time.
Operations Manager – Cowdray Farm Shop, Café and Lifestyle in London employer: Cowdray Estate
Contact Detail:
Cowdray Estate Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager – Cowdray Farm Shop, Café and Lifestyle in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend local events, and connect with folks 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 up prepared! When you land that interview, do your homework on Cowdray Farm Shop and its operations. Be ready to discuss how your skills can help shape their exciting redevelopment project.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see an opportunity to improve something in the business, don’t hesitate to bring it up during your conversations. This shows you're already thinking about how to contribute to their success.
✨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 genuinely interested in being part of the Cowdray team.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager – Cowdray Farm Shop, Café and Lifestyle in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about joining our team at Cowdray Farm Shop, Café and Lifestyle. Share why this opportunity speaks to you and how you can contribute to our journey.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in retail or hospitality environments, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills. We’re looking for someone who can motivate a team and drive improvements, so make that clear!
Be Specific About Your Achievements: In your application, be specific about your past achievements. Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you've improved efficiency or enhanced customer experiences in previous roles. We love seeing concrete evidence of your impact!
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 the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on being part of our exciting journey at Cowdray!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cowdray Estate
✨Know the Business Inside Out
Before your interview, take some time to research Cowdray Farm Shop, Café and Lifestyle. Understand their values, products, and recent developments. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you tailor your answers to align with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Operations Manager, strong leadership is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project. Highlight how you motivated your team and resolved any challenges that arose.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Be ready to discuss how you can spot opportunities for improvement and growth within the business. Think about specific strategies you could implement to enhance customer experience or drive revenue, and be prepared to share these ideas during the interview.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions. Inquire about the upcoming redevelopment project or how they envision the future of the business. This shows your enthusiasm and willingness to engage with their vision.