Food & Beverage Manager (Events & Seasonal Delivery) in Buckfastleigh

This role works closely with the Head of Food & Beverage to ensure our catering operation performs at its best during peak periods and events, while remaining well-run and well-prepared for the rest of the year. It combines hands-on delivery with planning and systems. You will spend most of your time on the ground with teams, with some office time each week to review performance, maintain systems, and prepare for upcoming events.

This is a hands-on food & beverage leadership role in a highly seasonal, tourism-led visitor attraction. Around 70% of the year focuses on supporting the Head of Food & Beverage to deliver the day-to-day operation across the farm, including busy school holiday periods. This includes maintaining standards, systems, stock control, training, and continuous improvement across multiple outlets. The remaining 30% of the year is spent delivering catering operations during major events, working alongside the Head of Food & Beverage and the wider management team. These are high-pressure periods where you are visible, decisive, and leading from the front. This is not a desk-based role. It is practical, operational, and people-focused, balanced with regular office time to keep systems running well. You will report to and work closely with the Head of Food & Beverage and play a direct role in shaping the visitor experience.

Contract & hours:

• Full-time role (part-time options considered)
• Up to 40 hours per week, averaged across the year
• Hours vary with seasonality and trading demands
• Weekend working required

Evening event work currently includes:

• 68 evenings between May and July
• Selected evenings in October (Pumpkin Nights)
• Selected dates late November-December (Christmas Experience)

As events continue to develop, evening work may change. Flexibility is essential. Peak intensity is seasonal and finite, not year-round.

What the role involves:

• Events (approx. 30%):

• Working with the Head of Food & Beverage to deliver catering operations during events and peak periods
• Leading on the ground during busy trading
• Supporting real-time team deployment
• Maintaining food quality, speed, hygiene, and guest experience under pressure
• Working closely with duty managers and operations to keep days running smoothly

• Supporting daily food & beverage delivery across the main season (Feb-Oct)
• Maintaining standards across all outlets
• Supporting stock, equipment, and facilities management
• Assisting with menu delivery, presentation, and waste control
• Training and developing team members
• Helping build flexible, multi-skilled teams

Outlets you'll help oversee:

• 4 grab-and-go outlets (Stone baked pizzas, Gourmet hot dogs, Pasties, Sandwiches/Salads, Cold and Hot Drinks)
• 1 scoop ice cream outlet
• Event-specific outlets (menus vary by event)

The number of outlets in operation changes with demand.

Experience & capability:

Attitude matters more than polish. We can train skills; we can't train mindset. Ideally, you'll bring:

• Experience in food & beverage operations
• Good understanding of food hygiene and catering health & safety
• Experience leading or supervising teams
• Confidence in visitor-facing, high-footfall environments
• Comfort working in seasonal operations
• Events experience is helpful but not essential

This role will suit someone who:

• Enjoys hands-on, collaborative leadership
• Is comfortable balancing planning with delivery
• Brings calm and clarity during busy periods
• Leads by example
• Cares about standards, cleanliness, and teamwork
• Enjoys developing people
• Is physically capable and enjoys an active role
• Adapts well to variation and seasonal change

This role is unlikely to suit someone who:

• Is looking for fixed, predictable hours year-round
• Prefers a predominantly desk-based or strategic-only role
• Is uncomfortable working weekends, school holidays, or peak periods
• Wants minimal involvement during busy trading or events
• Struggles with pace changes or operational pressure

Our approach:

We value collaboration, ownership, and accountability. Managers work closely together, plan ahead, and support each other to deliver great outcomes. This role offers scope to grow as our food & beverage operation and events continue to expand. Leadership here is hands-on, practical, and collaborative.