Food and Beverage Manager in Godstone

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.