At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage multiple food service units, ensuring exceptional customer experiences.
- Company: Join SSP, the global food travel experts with over 500 brands.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, discounts, wellbeing support, and ongoing development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be an inspirational leader in a dynamic environment that values people and performance.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in multi-unit operations and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: SSP is an equal-opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Lead General Manager – Birmingham New Street Station 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, Café Local and Beer House, to well-known franchises like M&S, Starbucks, Burger King, The Breakfast Club & BrewDog. As Lead General Manager, you\’ll be rewarded with a competitive salary 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 It takes a lot of great people to run one our units, and it takes an Inspirational Leader to ensure our units deliver exceptional customer service and operational excellence. You’ll face lots of interesting challenges as you lead your team and business to be the “best part of our customers journey” every day. Your Key Accountabilities The Lead General Manager is accountable for leading and managing the full site operation, overseeing multiple units within a location (locations). They are responsible for driving commercial performance, operational excellence and compliance standards across the site. This role ensures a seamless and efficient operation while fostering a high-performing, people-focused culture that delivers results in line with business goals. Main Responsibilities People Management & Talent Development Lead, coach, and develop Managers and their teams to build capability and engagement across the site. Oversee scheduling and workforce planning to meet operational demands and optimise labour spend. Support recruitment, onboarding and retention efforts across all site units. Financial Accountability Take full ownership of the site’s P&L, identifying opportunities to improve revenue, reduce costs and maximise profitability. Monitor and manage labour, waste, and stock control in line with targets. Analyse performance data to inform decisions and take corrective action where needed. Standards, Compliance & Audits Ensure full compliance with all Food Safety, Health & Safety, and operational policies and procedures. Lead internal and external audits across the site, driving continuous improvement and embedding best practices. Ensure all units maintain required documentation and are always audit-ready. Business Performance & Strategic Input Work closely with Operations managers and support functions to contribute to the wider regional strategy. Identify and implement local initiatives to improve customer satisfaction, team engagement and commercial performance. Act as the key point of contact for site-wide communications and operational updates. Sustainability awareness to include environmental and social responsibility Key Skills and Experience Proven experience managing multi-unit operations, ideally within a high-volume retail, hospitality or food service environment. Strong leadership and people development skills, with a track record of building high-performing teams. Solid understanding of P&L management, labour control and commercial decision-making. Experience in Food Safety and Health & Safety compliance, including managing audits. Excellent organisational, communication and problem-solving skills. Adaptability, resilience and a hands-on approach to managing through others. Experience using operational systems like WFM, Lynx Ability to respond to unexpected challenges such as staff shortages, customer complaints, supply chain issues Experience of communicating with external and internal stakeholders SSP are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that seek 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
Lead General Manager employer: Select Service Partner UK Ltd
Contact Detail:
Select Service Partner UK Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead General Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the brands and food offerings at Birmingham New Street Station. Understanding the unique selling points of each brand will help you demonstrate your passion for food and travel during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed multi-unit operations in the past. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, as this role requires strong people management.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the latest trends in food safety and operational compliance. Being knowledgeable about current regulations and best practices will position you as a candidate who is proactive and committed to maintaining high standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former employees of the company to gain insights into the company culture and expectations. This can provide you with valuable information that you can use to tailor your approach and show that you're a great fit for the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead General Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in managing multi-unit operations, particularly in the food service or hospitality sectors. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and financial accountability.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for food and travel, and explain why you want to work with this company. Mention how your skills align with their values and the role's requirements, particularly in people management and operational excellence.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Emphasise your experience with P&L management, compliance with health and safety standards, and your ability to lead teams effectively. Use bullet points to make these skills stand out and ensure they match the key accountabilities listed in the job description.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your documents for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for a Lead General Manager.
How to prepare for a job interview at Select Service Partner UK Ltd
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead General Manager, demonstrating your leadership abilities is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on your coaching and development strategies that resulted in high performance.
✨Understand Financial Management
Be ready to discuss your experience with P&L management and how you've improved revenue or reduced costs in previous roles. Familiarise yourself with key financial metrics relevant to the food service industry to show your commercial acumen.
✨Emphasise Compliance Knowledge
Since compliance with Food Safety and Health & Safety regulations is vital, brush up on these topics. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past positions and how you would approach audits and continuous improvement.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions about handling unexpected challenges, such as staff shortages or customer complaints. Think of specific instances where you've successfully navigated these situations and be ready to share your problem-solving approach.