General Manager - South Kensington in London
General Manager - South Kensington

General Manager - South Kensington in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and inspire a dynamic team to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
  • Company: Join Compass Group, a leader in the food service industry.
  • Benefits: Enjoy free meals, competitive pay, and exclusive discounts.
  • Other info: Embrace a culture of diversity and continuous improvement.
  • Why this job: Shape your career with a company that values leadership and growth.
  • Qualifications: Experience in management with strong financial acumen required.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

We recognise and reward great leadership. Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll benefit from a comprehensive package that includes:

  • Monday to Friday working – days only (no evenings or weekends)
  • Free meals on duty
  • Contributory pension scheme
  • Career development through Career Pathways and MyLearning
  • Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP and wider healthcare benefits
  • Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and more
  • Supermarket savings at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and others
  • Up to 44% off cinema tickets
  • Cashback rewards on everyday spending
  • Free wellness, mindfulness and fitness classes
  • Discounts and offers you can share with friends and family

The Role

As General Manager, you will have full responsibility for the successful delivery of this single-site operation. You’ll lead, inspire and develop your management and operational teams, ensuring outstanding customer experience, strong commercial performance and full compliance with all contractual, company and statutory requirements. You will be accountable for financial performance, client relationships and operational excellence, ensuring everything you do aligns with the Compass vision, values and business strategy.

Key Responsibilities

  • Leadership & People Development
    • Lead and develop a high-performing on-site management and operational team
    • Recruit, retain and grow great people, building strong succession and development plans
    • Create a positive, inclusive and high-engagement culture
    • Manage performance effectively, including appraisals, labour planning and employee relations
    • Ensure labour structures and resources are fit for purpose and commercially effective
  • Health, Safety & Compliance
    • Champion a strong Health & Safety culture across the site
    • Ensure a safe environment for customers, colleagues and visitors
    • Maintain full compliance with legal, company and client standards at all times
  • Commercial & Financial Performance
    • Take full ownership of the site P&L, delivering agreed financial targets
    • Manage budgets, forecasts and cost controls effectively
    • Identify and implement opportunities to improve sales, margin and efficiency
    • Support Compass Foodbuy initiatives, ensuring supplier compliance and value
  • Client & Stakeholder Management
    • Act as the senior point of contact for the client and key stakeholders
    • Build trusted, long-term relationships based on service excellence and transparency
    • Review and act on client feedback and satisfaction surveys
    • Ensure contractual compliance while consistently exceeding expectations
  • Customer Experience & Service Excellence
    • Ensure food and service offers are fit for purpose, fully costed and delivered to specification
    • Drive consistency, quality and innovation across food and service standards
    • Capture and act on customer feedback to support continuous improvement and growth
  • Strategy & Continuous Improvement
    • Deliver site-level strategy aligned to wider Compass objectives
    • Embed central brand, service and operational initiatives
    • Drive a culture of continuous improvement across the contract

Who You Are

  • Proven experience as a General Manager or senior site leader
  • Commercially astute with strong financial and operational capability
  • Confident managing budgets, forecasts and performance targets
  • A visible, engaging leader who develops people and drives results
  • Organised, adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!

General Manager - South Kensington in London employer: Lodestone House

At Compass Group UK&I, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises leadership development and employee well-being. As the General Manager in South Kensington, you will enjoy a competitive salary, Monday to Friday working hours, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes career growth opportunities, health and wellness initiatives, and exclusive discounts. Join us to be part of a diverse team where your contributions are valued, and you can thrive in a dynamic environment focused on excellence and innovation.
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Contact Detail:

Lodestone House Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land General Manager - South Kensington in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to current employees at Compass. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. At Compass, they value leadership and inclusivity, so think about how your experiences align with these principles. Practice answering common interview questions and have examples ready that showcase your skills.

✨Tip Number 3

Follow up after your interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them of your fit for the General Manager position.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll have access to all the latest job openings and updates directly from Compass. Let’s get you that dream job!

We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - South Kensington in London

Leadership
People Development
Financial Management
Operational Excellence
Health and Safety Compliance
Client Relationship Management
Customer Experience Management
Strategic Planning
Continuous Improvement
Budget Management
Performance Management
Adaptability
Organisational Skills
Commercial Acumen

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the General Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to drive results and develop teams.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your values align with ours. Be sure to mention specific examples of how you've led teams or improved performance in previous roles.

Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: Since financial performance is key, don’t forget to include examples of how you've managed budgets or improved profitability in past positions. We want to see that you can take ownership of P&L and drive commercial success.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!

How to prepare for a job interview at Lodestone House

✨Know Your Numbers

As a General Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key metrics like P&L statements, budgets, and forecasts. Be ready to discuss how you've managed these in previous roles and any strategies you've implemented to improve financial performance.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Leadership is crucial for this role, so think about your leadership style and how it aligns with the company's values. Prepare examples of how you've developed teams, managed performance, and created a positive culture. Highlight specific instances where your leadership made a difference.

✨Understand the Client's Needs

Research the company and its clients thoroughly. Be prepared to discuss how you would build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders. Think about how you can exceed client expectations and ensure service excellence, as this will be a key part of your role.

✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement

This role requires a focus on continuous improvement. Come prepared with examples of how you've driven innovation and efficiency in past positions. Discuss any initiatives you've led that resulted in improved customer experience or operational excellence.

General Manager - South Kensington in London
Lodestone House
Location: London
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