At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead food and beverage operations in a luxury hotel, ensuring exceptional guest experiences.
- Company: Join a prestigious farm-to-fork country hotel and wellness retreat in Dorset.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £60,000, relocation assistance, and staff accommodation support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal and professional growth in a vibrant environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of F&B in a stunning luxury setting while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in luxury hospitality and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
Salary: Up to £60,000 gross per annum, depending on experience, plus package
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Start Date: Immediate
Oplu is partnering with an exceptional farm-to-fork luxury country hotel and wellness retreat in Dorset to appoint a Head of Food and Beverage (F&B). This is a senior, hands-on Food and Beverage leadership role for a confident hospitality professional with proven experience in luxury hotel F&B operations, premium restaurant service, or retreat environments.
The successful candidate will lead daily food and beverage operations across breakfast, lunch and dinner service, while also overseeing bespoke events for private groups, family stays and corporate retreats. The priority now is to appoint a Head of Food and Beverage who can lead from the front, bring structure to the operation, raise service standards, and implement robust standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency, accountability and operational excellence.
The Head of F&B will report directly to the General Manager and work closely with the Head Chef and Hotel Manager in weekly operational meetings.
About the Role
This Head of Food and Beverage job in Dorset will suit a hands-on operator who thrives in service, enjoys leading teams on the floor, and is confident managing both the guest experience and the operational detail behind it.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner service
- Private dining and bespoke guest experiences
- Retreat groups, family stays and corporate events
- Team leadership, rota planning and service standards
- Stock control, supplier coordination and commercial awareness
Food and Beverage Service Leadership
- Lead from the floor across breakfast, lunch and dinner service, ensuring a consistently high standard of hospitality
- Set the tone, pace and expectations for service through visible, hands-on leadership
- Deliver a warm, polished and discreet guest experience in keeping with a luxury country hotel and wellness retreat environment
- Drive consistency in presentation, service flow and guest interaction across all F&B touchpoints
- Build, implement and maintain clear SOPs across service delivery, set-up, timing, closing procedures and compliance
- Introduce stronger planning and mise-en-place processes to improve efficiency and reduce reactive service issues
- Establish and monitor performance benchmarks across service quality, cleanliness, consistency and guest feedback
- Create structure across the F&B operation to support smooth daily service and stronger team performance
Team Management and Development
- Lead, coach and develop a small service team, including multiple supervisors
- Produce rotas in advance with contingency planning and strong labour cost awareness
- Maintain high standards of communication through daily briefings, handovers, feedback and performance management
Events, Retreats and Bespoke Guest Service
- Coordinate food and beverage delivery for retreat groups, special occasions and corporate stays
- Bring creativity and attention to detail to service moments and events without compromising operational discipline
- Ensure a seamless guest journey across regular dining service and bespoke event experiences
Commercial and Stock Management
- Support the General Manager and Head Chef on revenue optimisation and F&B profitability
- Maintain strong control of stock, procurement, supplier relationships and audit processes across food, beverage and OS&E
- Identify sensible opportunities to enhance spend through food, beverage and guest experience upselling
- Balance high service standards with operational efficiency and cost control
Compliance, Food Safety and Best Practice
- Maintain the highest standards of hygiene, cleanliness and food safety across all service areas
- Ensure compliance with relevant FSA and HACCP standards and internal procedures
- Uphold best practice across health and safety, service preparation and operational discipline
We are looking for a confident, energetic and emotionally intelligent Head of Food and Beverage who enjoys being front-facing and setting standards in service-led hospitality environments. You will be commercially aware, highly organised and comfortable working in a demanding luxury hospitality setting where flexibility is expected. You will also be capable of running weekly 1:1 check-ins with the General Manager, with clear agendas, actions and follow-up.
Requirements
- Proven experience in Food and Beverage operations within luxury hotels, retreats, private members’ clubs or premium restaurants
- Strong hands-on floor leadership style with a visible presence in service
- Experience implementing and enforcing SOPs, service standards and operational governance
- Excellent planning capability across rotas, service preparation, team efficiency and guest volumes
- Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings and weekends as required
- Experience with event service, special occasion dining or retreat programming
- WSET Level 2 or similar wine knowledge
- Experience improving service standards within an operation that requires tighter structure and leadership
Salary up to £60,000 gross per annum, depending on experience. Full-time, permanent opportunity. Senior leadership role within a luxury country hotel and wellness retreat. Relocation assistance available where required, including staff accommodation or rental support. Opportunity to shape and strengthen the full food and beverage operation.
Hotel Food and Beverage Manager employer: Oplu (formerly Chace People)
Join a prestigious luxury country hotel and wellness retreat in Dorset, where you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises excellence in service and employee development. With competitive salary packages, relocation assistance, and the opportunity to lead a dedicated team in a stunning environment, this role offers a unique chance to shape the future of food and beverage operations while enjoying a fulfilling career in hospitality.
Contact Details:
Oplu (formerly Chace People) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Hotel Food and Beverage Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Research their values and mission, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you connect better during the conversation.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your pitch! Be ready to talk about your hands-on leadership style and how you've improved service standards in previous roles. We want to hear your success stories that showcase your ability to lead from the front.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare questions for your interviewers. Ask about their expectations for the Head of F&B role and how they measure success. This shows you're genuinely interested and ready to take on the challenge.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Hotel Food and Beverage Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Hospitality:When writing your application, let your love for the hospitality industry shine through. Share specific experiences that highlight your hands-on leadership style and how you've elevated service standards in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the key responsibilities and skills mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your experience aligns with leading food and beverage operations and managing teams effectively.
Highlight Your Operational Excellence:Don’t forget to mention your experience with implementing SOPs and maintaining high standards of service. We’re looking for someone who can bring structure and consistency to our F&B operations, so make that clear in your application!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oplu (formerly Chace People)
✨Know Your F&B Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food and beverage operations, especially in luxury settings. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences and how they relate to the role. Highlight any specific SOPs you've implemented or improved in past positions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to demonstrate your hands-on leadership approach. Think of examples where you've led a team effectively, especially during busy service times. Discuss how you set standards and motivate your team to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life scenarios, like handling a difficult guest or managing a last-minute event. Practice your responses to show your problem-solving skills and ability to maintain high service standards under pressure.
✨Understand the Business Side
Familiarise yourself with stock control, supplier relationships, and revenue optimisation strategies. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to the hotel's profitability while maintaining excellent service quality.
