At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations for a premium food retail group and launch new concepts.
- Company: Founder-led food group in London with a focus on quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonuses, and long-term incentives.
- Why this job: Take ownership and make a real impact in a dynamic food retail environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-site operations within premium food retail or production.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant career growth and leadership development.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ per year.
We are working with a founder‑led London food group operating across food retail and in‑house production. The group includes an established, high‑quality bakery business alongside a new premium concept brand preparing for launch.
This is a rare opportunity to step into a hands‑on Group General Manager role with genuine authority. The mandate is clear: professionalise operations, scale the bakery, successfully launch a new retail concept, and build the systems required for multi‑site growth while reducing day‑to‑day founder dependency. It is an execution‑led leadership role for a senior operator who wants ownership, accountability, and impact.
As Group General Manager, you will have full operational responsibility across both businesses, covering people, performance, profitability, and rollout readiness.
You Will:
- Ownership of all day‑to‑day operations including labour model & rotas, stock, suppliers, margins & costs
- Roll‑out of new site openings, building systems and playbooks to cover site openings, recruitment and training
- Strengthen the retail operation through retail standards, margin improvement, product quality, and customer experience
- Launch, test and refine the concept brand including route to market (retail/wholesale), pricing, merchandising and staffing
- Establish data, dashboards, and performance management across sites
- Recruitment, training, L&D and people leadership
- Full P&L accountability at group level
- Capacity planning and scheduling
- Create a culture of ownership and accountability across all sites, reducing Founder involvement in operations and cadence
About You:
You are a senior food retail operator with experience across both retail and food production environments.
You Will Likely Bring:
- Multi‑site operational leadership experience within premium food retail, bakery, café, or consumer food brands
- A proven track record of scaling operations, improving performance, and leading change
- A hands‑on, decisive leadership style with strong commercial instincts
- Commercial execution and P&L ownership experience
- System & playbook thinking
Group General Manager - Premium Food Retail in London employer: IWC Independent Worldwide Consolidators SpA
Contact Detail:
IWC Independent Worldwide Consolidators SpA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group General Manager - Premium Food Retail in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend food retail events, and connect with people 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
Showcase your hands-on experience! When chatting with potential employers, highlight your operational leadership skills and how you've successfully scaled businesses. Use specific examples to demonstrate your impact and accountability.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s current operations and challenges. Be ready to discuss how you would professionalise their processes and improve performance. Tailor your approach to show you understand their unique needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Group General Manager - Premium Food Retail in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Group General Manager. Highlight your experience in food retail and production, and don’t forget to showcase any multi-site operational leadership you've done. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this hands-on role. Share specific examples of how you've scaled operations or improved performance in previous roles. We love a good story that shows your impact!
Showcase Your Leadership Style: We’re looking for someone with a decisive leadership style. In your application, give us a glimpse into how you create a culture of ownership and accountability. Share any experiences where you’ve successfully led teams through change or improved customer experience.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about who we are and what we do!
How to prepare for a job interview at IWC Independent Worldwide Consolidators SpA
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Group General Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of P&L accountability. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've improved margins or reduced costs in previous roles. This shows you’re not just a leader but also a savvy operator.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your hands-on leadership approach. Share specific examples of how you've built a culture of ownership and accountability in past positions. This will resonate well with the company's need for someone who can reduce founder dependency and empower teams.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Scaling Operations
The role requires scaling operations effectively. Think of instances where you've successfully rolled out new sites or concepts. Be prepared to outline your strategies for training, recruitment, and maintaining high standards across multiple locations.
✨Understand the Market Landscape
Familiarise yourself with current trends in premium food retail and bakery sectors. Being able to discuss market dynamics, customer preferences, and competitive positioning will show that you’re not only qualified but also genuinely interested in the business's success.