At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead multiple food units, ensuring top-notch operations and team performance.
- Company: Join a global food travel expert with exciting brands like Millie's Cookies and Starbucks.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, discounts, flexible working, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities and a supportive, diverse work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-site management and strong people leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
If you're passionate about food and travel, you've come to the right place. We are the Global food travel experts, and we have something delicious for everyone. Whether you're flying, taking a train, or just passing by, we have the best food and drink options for you. We work with more than 500 brands, from our own creations like Upper Crust, Millie's Cookies, Caf Local and Beer House, to well-known franchises like M&S, Starbucks, Burger King, The Breakfast Club & BrewDog.
As Area Manager, you'll be rewarded with a competitive salary of up to £45,000 and enjoy:
- Discounted meal on shift
- Colleague discount - up to 50%
- Friends & Family discount up to 20% (T&C apply)
- Flexible working
- Management bonus scheme
- Access to digital GPs, 24/7 helpline for you & family
- Wellbeing support through Retail Trust and family friendly leave
- Variety of networks to support you, Neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ and many more
- Life assurance
- Apprenticeships and ongoing development opportunities
- Share incentive plan (SIP)
Role Summary
The Area Manager is a senior operational leader, accountable for the performance, standards and day to day running of a defined set of units. This is a hands-on, high ownership General Manager role, responsible for leading multiple sites and ensuring every unit trades safely, compliantly, and commercially every single day. The expectation is for an Area Manager to be in units 80% of the working week, supporting managers and hourly paid colleagues. The role is supported by an Operations Manager, who provides coaching, strategic direction and escalation support. While this is not an Operations Manager role, it is intentionally designed as the primary development platform for internal talent preparing for future progression into an Operations Manager position. In this role, the Area Manager develops the capability, behaviours and operational discipline required for the next step, with progression earned through consistent delivery, leadership impact and the ability to manage units with confidence and accountability. Balance Scorecard and weekly deliverables as a measure as well as the how. Measurement is 50/50 the what and how.
Main Responsibilities
- Unit Leadership & Ownership: Full ownership for day to day operation across all units, role modelling teamwork by stepping in when needed, supporting GMs and creating unity across the units. Ensure every unit opens and trades safely. Hold unit GMs accountable to brand standards. Support other units during a crisis or staff shortage. Encourage shared best practice and consistent standards.
- People Leadership & Development: Bring visible energy to the floor, motivating teams through presence, standards and celebrating great performance. Coach and develop GMs across the units. Build a culture of accountability and performance. Ensure training, onboarding and succession planning.
- Commercial & Financial Performance: Constantly challenge how things are done. Seek better ways to run operations. Reduce SITs. Improve labour deployment and enhance customer experience. Own the units P&L fully. Lead forecasting, labour planning and optimisation. Drive sales and profitability through strong execution.
- Standards, Safety & Compliance: Ensure all units are audit ready. Lead food safety, H&S and legislative compliance. Personally intervene when standards slip. Ensure every unit opens and trades safely every day. Follow through relentlessly on issues, audits and actions.
- Stakeholder & Client Management: Act as a senior SSP contact for the landlord and the Millie's Brand. Represent SSP professionally and consistently.
- Operational Delivery & Problem Solving: Be the escalation point for issues impacting trade. Resolve operational gaps quickly and effectively. Provide visible leadership during key trading periods.
Person Specification
- Experienced senior GM or multi-site leader
- Strong operational command and people leadership
- Commercially sharp with proven P&L ownership
- Deep understanding of compliance and standards
- Resilient, decisive and solutions focused
SSP are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that seeks to recruit and retain the most talented individuals from a variety of backgrounds, skills and perspectives. Start the best part of your journey with us!
Area Manager East Midlands & Yorkshire - Sheffield employer: leisurejobs
Giggling Squid is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises family values and a passion for Thai cuisine. With a strong focus on employee development through comprehensive training programmes, competitive salaries, and generous benefits like weekly pay and staff discounts, we ensure our team members feel valued and supported. Join us in Leamington Spa, where you can enjoy a fulfilling career in one of the UK's fastest-growing restaurant groups while embracing the warmth of our unique Thai heritage.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Area Manager East Midlands & Yorkshire - Sheffield
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Area Manager East Midlands & Yorkshire - Sheffield at leisurejobs!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like leisurejobs or be willing to refer you for that Area Manager East Midlands & Yorkshire - Sheffield position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from leisurejobs who’s on the lookout for their next Area Manager East Midlands & Yorkshire - Sheffield star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Area Manager East Midlands & Yorkshire - Sheffield role at leisurejobs!
We think you need these skills to ace Area Manager East Midlands & Yorkshire - Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at leisurejobs. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at leisurejobs
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at leisurejobs. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
