At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage multiple food service units, ensuring exceptional customer experiences.
- Company: Join SSP, the global food travel experts with a passion for food and travel.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, discounted meals, wellbeing support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent growth potential.
- Why this job: Be an inspirational leader and make a real impact on customer journeys every day.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing multi-unit operations and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 33750 - 41250 £ 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.
As Lead General Manager, you'll be rewarded with a competitive salary of £45,000 and enjoy:
- Discounted meal on shift
- Colleague discount - up to 50%
- Friends & Family discount up to 20% (T&C apply)
- 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. 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 - Preston & Blackpool in London employer: SSP Group
At SSP, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that thrives on teamwork and customer engagement. Located at Havant Station, our café environment is perfect for those who enjoy the buzz of hospitality, with flexible hours and competitive pay rates, including additional earnings for night shifts. We are committed to employee growth through award-winning training and development programmes, ensuring that every team member can flourish while creating memorable experiences for our customers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead General Manager - Preston & Blackpool in London
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like SSP Group. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to SSP Group
Don't be shy about reaching out to SSP Group directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead General Manager - Preston & Blackpool in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about SSP Group and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at SSP Group
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
