At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow a high-volume food and beverage operation at a busy visitor attraction.
- Company: Join Godstone Farm, a vibrant family-focused environment in Surrey.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic role with daytime hours and genuine autonomy.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on guest experiences while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in high-volume hospitality and strong commercial awareness required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Lead and grow a high-volume, multi-outlet F&B operation. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role at the heart of one of Surrey’s busiest visitor attractions. At Godstone Farm, you’ll take full ownership of a multi-outlet food and beverage operation serving over 250,000 visitors a year. From our café and restaurant to grab-and-go kiosks and seasonal event catering, you’ll be responsible not just for running the operation - but continuously improving and growing it. This role is ideal for a commercially-minded operator who thrives in high-volume environments and is ready to take the next step into true departmental leadership.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead a high-performing F&B operation
- Oversee all food and beverage activity across the site, ensuring a consistently high standard of quality, speed, and service across:
- Café and restaurant
- Grab-and-go kiosks
- Seasonal and event-based catering
- Ensure the operation runs smoothly during both peak and off-peak periods, adapting quickly to demand.
- Drive commercial performance
- Take full accountability for F&B performance, with a clear focus on:
- Increasing spend per head
- Improving gross margin and cost control
- Managing labour efficiency and productivity
- Reducing waste and optimising stock control
- Actively identify and implement opportunities to improve profitability and performance across all outlets.
- Lead from the front - then build a team that scales
- Be highly visible during peak trading, leading by example and supporting your team.
- Develop strong supervisors and team leaders
- Build a structure that reduces day-to-day dependency on you
- Improve team capability, retention, and engagement
- Improve and evolve the F&B offer
- Use data, insight, and customer feedback to:
- Refine menus and pricing
- Improve service flow and throughput during peak periods
- Introduce new ideas that enhance both guest experience and commercial return
- Play a key role in shaping how F&B contributes to the overall visitor experience.
- Plan ahead, not just react
- Lead seasonal and event planning across the F&B operation, ensuring:
- The business is fully prepared for peak trading periods
- Staffing, stock, and service models are aligned to demand
- Lessons are captured and improvements implemented year-on-year
What we’re looking for:
You’ll be an experienced F&B leader with a background in high-volume hospitality, leisure, or visitor attractions, and ready to take ownership of a complex, fast-paced operation. We’re particularly looking for someone who:
- Is a hands-on leader who thrives during busy service periods
- Has experience managing multiple outlets or high-volume environments
- Demonstrates strong commercial awareness and understands how to drive profit
- Has a track record of improving performance, not just maintaining it
- Can develop and lead large, often seasonal teams
- Is comfortable using data and insight to inform decisions
- Stays calm, organised, and effective under pressure
The reality of the role (and why it’s rewarding):
Our business is highly seasonal and weather-dependent, with peak periods driven by school holidays, weekends, and events. This creates a fast-paced, high-energy environment where strong leadership has a direct and visible impact.
In return, you’ll benefit from:
- A varied and dynamic role with real responsibility
- A predominantly daytime-focused operation, offering a strong alternative to late-night hospitality
- The opportunity to work in a unique outdoor, family-focused environment
- Genuine autonomy to influence and develop the F&B operation
- A clear opportunity to grow into broader operational leadership
Experience & qualifications:
- Proven experience in a Food & Beverage Manager or senior leadership role
- Background in high-volume hospitality, leisure, or visitor attractions preferred
- Strong commercial and financial management experience
- Experience with stock control, forecasting, and labour planning
- Proven ability to lead, develop, and structure teams
- Level 3 Food Safety (or equivalent) desirable
Additional information:
This is a full-time role requiring flexibility, including weekends, bank holidays, and peak trading periods.
Food and Beverage Manager in Godstone employer: Godstone Farm
At Godstone Farm, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on teamwork and innovation. As a Food and Beverage Manager, you'll enjoy the unique opportunity to lead a dynamic operation in one of Surrey's busiest attractions, with a focus on employee growth and development, all while working in a family-friendly outdoor environment. Our commitment to a predominantly daytime-focused operation ensures a healthy work-life balance, making this role both rewarding and fulfilling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Food and Beverage Manager in Godstone
✨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 Godstone Farm. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Godstone Farm
Don't be shy about reaching out to Godstone Farm 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 Food and Beverage Manager in Godstone
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 Godstone Farm 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 Godstone Farm
✨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!
