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- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams while managing client relationships and ensuring top-notch food service.
- Company: Gather & Gather is a leading workplace catering expert in the UK and Ireland, passionate about great food.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like personal development, life assurance, private medical eligibility, and regular social events.
- Other info: This is a national role with travel required; work Monday to Friday.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team focused on innovation, customer satisfaction, and making a positive impact every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-site management, strong communication skills, and a passion for food and coffee are essential.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
At Gather & Gather, we are known as one of the UK & Ireland's most distinctive workplace catering experts, passionate about great food and great coffee and putting our employees and customers at the heart of everything that we do. We are currently recruiting for a National Account Director to work with us on a wonderful B&I contract with 9 sites in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, London and Brighton. This is a national position where you can be based anywhere with travel to sites required. This position is working Monday to Friday.
About the role:
You will share the same passion for great service, food and drink that we do! You will be a natural leader and innovator with experience of working in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment and with the ability to build and inspire great teams and communicate with different internal and external stakeholders (G&G regional teams, clients, client appointed representatives and Mitie) to meet a range of operational and commercial requirements. This is a nil cost contract so there needs to be a strong focus on sales growth and cost efficiency.
As Account Director you will liaise with three Gather & Gather regional teams who are responsible for service delivery and driving improvements across the estate. You will have strong communication skills and act to make a positive difference every day and inspire your colleagues to do the same. We want you to plan ahead and excel in engaging with your key stakeholders to manage and maintain positive client relationships, liaising with the regional operations teams to meet contract requirements. We also want you to contribute to wider business initiatives and projects.
Food Service and Development
- Ensure that the client expectations of food and food service are consistently delivered.
- Proactively put forward proposals to develop the food and service across the estate.
- Work collaboratively with the food team and influence as required to ensure client requirements are met.
- Set clear expectations to the operation managers and site teams regarding food and service standards to ensure that all services provided are of the highest standards and are in line with our brand.
- Ongoing review of the service and food provided in sites, provide feedback to the operation and site management team ensuring any necessary changes are incorporated into the service provision.
Relationship Management
- Develop and sustain strong working relationships with the clients.
- Participate in the monthly business review meetings with the clients and TFM clients to ensure that all targets, objectives and service level agreements are being met.
- Ensure that excellent customer service is delivered throughout the portfolio.
- Actively gain customer feedback when present at any service and use the information to drive improvements at any given site.
Finance
- Working with the regional operations teams, ensure all sites achieve the financial targets in line with the company budget.
- Protect company income and facilitate financial organic growth where possible.
- If necessary, where budget is not being achieved support and lead the Operations and Site Managers to identify and implement a strategy, in a timely manner, to overcome the shortfall.
- Produce financial reports where necessary – weekly and monthly - ensuring all details can be explained and outlining any necessary action that has been taken.
Managing and Developing Teams
- Working with the People Team drive the achievement of the Group L&D strategy, performance and talent agenda within the account.
- Set clear goals, targets and performance standards for direct report team.
- Recognise and reward good performance and celebrate success.
- Help in the creation of development plans for direct reports.
- Create an inclusive team culture.
Our Ideal Candidate:
- Has prior experience of inspiring and leading remote and multi-site management teams.
- Ability to travel on a regular basis throughout the UK, overnight stays may be required.
- Management of fixed price and/or commercial contracts.
- Persuasive and articulate communicator.
- Excellent level of numeracy.
- Detailed understanding of a catering P&L.
- A passion for keeping up to date with what’s current in food & coffee.
- Innovative and commercially aware.
- Project management.
What’s in it for you?
- Working with Gather and Gather 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.
- 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.
Account Director employer: Gather & Gather
Contact Detail:
Gather & Gather Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Gather & Gather's values and mission. Understanding their passion for great food and service will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions, showcasing that you're a perfect fit for their culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Gather & Gather on platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging in conversations can provide you with insider knowledge about the company and its expectations, which can be invaluable during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed multi-site teams and driven sales growth in previous roles. Tailoring your experiences to reflect the requirements of the Account Director position will demonstrate your capability to excel in this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends in the food and coffee industry. Being able to discuss recent developments and how they could impact Gather & Gather's operations will show your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Account Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in account management, particularly in the food service or catering industry. Emphasise your leadership skills and any experience with multi-site management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food and service. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed client relationships and driven sales growth in previous roles.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since strong communication is key for this role, provide examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to engage with various stakeholders effectively. Highlight any experience in leading teams and managing client expectations.
Highlight Financial Acumen: Given the focus on financial targets, include details about your experience with budgeting, P&L management, and any strategies you've implemented to achieve financial growth in past positions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gather & Gather
✨Show Your Passion for Food and Service
Gather & Gather is all about great food and service, so make sure to express your enthusiasm for these areas during the interview. Share examples of how you've previously contributed to enhancing food service or customer experiences in your past roles.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As an Account Director, you'll need to inspire and lead teams. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and provide specific examples of how you've successfully managed remote or multi-site teams in the past.
✨Prepare for Financial Discussions
Since the role involves managing budgets and financial targets, brush up on your understanding of catering P&L statements. Be ready to discuss how you've achieved financial growth in previous positions and how you would approach budget management at Gather & Gather.
✨Engage with Stakeholder Management
Strong communication skills are key for this role. Think of instances where you've effectively built relationships with clients or stakeholders. Be prepared to explain how you would maintain positive client relationships and ensure their expectations are met.