At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a national F&B strategy and oversee 230 bar-cafes.
- Company: Join a dynamic hospitality brand focused on innovation and guest experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid working, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace prioritising diversity and employee wellbeing.
- Why this job: Shape the future of F&B in a thriving multi-million pound operation.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in high-volume F&B with strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 120000 € per year.
Do you have the commercial and customer-first mindset to develop and deliver a successful F&B business on a national scale? Can you architect a 3-year F&B strategy that drives out-performance, puts our guests first, and translates into a seamless mission for our hotels and their teams?
Your Purpose
We are seeking a visionary cultivator to scale our multi-million pound F&B operation, overseeing 230 bar-cafes and our F&B proposition across 370 hotels. Our Head of F&B will be responsible for driving revenue, margin and ensuring a consistent brilliant customer experience across the entire estate.
Key Responsibilities
- Define the 3-year F&B vision, identifying new growth initiatives and pricing strategies that maximise our revenue and optimise margin through a customer-first approach.
- Oversee a c£2m management budget and influence investment.
- Manage the end-to-end product lifecycle from initial concept to national launch, optimising for both profitability and consumer demand.
- Act as the bridge between Marketing, Finance, and Ops - ensuring we deliver a consistent, high-quality brand experience.
- Spearhead the use of data dashboards and digital platforms to optimise conversion, the guest journey and commercial performance.
Your Strengths
The ideal candidate will be a strong commercial director with a proven track record in high-volume F&B or large-scale restaurant retail. We are seeking a candidate who has held full P&L accountability—ideally for portfolios exceeding £50m—and possesses the rational mindset to transform complex market trends and consumer data into high-growth strategies. Beyond the numbers, they should demonstrate rational intelligence, showing a history of working hand-in-hand with ground-level teams to ensure that national change is implemented seamlessly and sustainably.
Our Head of F&B will need to influence at the ExCo level and negotiate high-value supplier relationships with ease. They should be a collaborative partner known for winning "hearts and minds" across a business, pairing exceptional stakeholder management with the flexibility to travel nationally. We are looking for a strategic thinker with technical expertise—someone who can present to the board one day and analyse the drivers behind a 1% margin shift the next.
Benefits
- Up to £120,000 & Annualise Bonus
- Car Allowance payable at £570 per month
- Contributory pension scheme - auto enroll at 5% after 3 months and we contribute 8%
- Hybrid working - a minimum of 60% of your time should be spent in the office and or visiting suppliers
- 50% personal discount for hotel bookings and great friends and family discounts too!
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays, increasing with length of service
Why Travelodge?
We believe in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can be their true self and belong. We work hard to improve the diversity of our teams and celebrate our differences. And we care about our colleagues’ wellbeing, ensuring there are plenty of resources available so everyone can look after their emotional, physical, financial and work wellbeing. We call this "Better Me".
Head of F&B Strategy in Thame employer: Travelodge Hotels Limited
Travelodge is an exceptional employer that prioritises a customer-first approach while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing and growth, we offer competitive benefits including a generous pension scheme, hybrid working options, and substantial discounts for hotel bookings. Join us in shaping the future of our multi-million pound F&B operation, where your strategic vision can thrive and make a meaningful impact across our extensive portfolio of hotels.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of F&B Strategy in Thame
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend F&B events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s F&B strategy and recent initiatives. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for their brand and how you can contribute to their vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role. We want to hear about your successes in driving revenue and enhancing customer experiences—make it memorable!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of F&B Strategy in Thame
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Vision:When applying for the Head of F&B Strategy role, make sure to articulate your vision for the future of F&B. We want to see how you can develop a 3-year strategy that aligns with our customer-first approach and drives growth.
Highlight Your Experience:Don’t hold back on showcasing your experience in high-volume F&B or large-scale restaurant retail. We’re looking for someone with a proven track record, so let us know about your P&L accountability and any successful initiatives you've led.
Be Data-Driven:We love data! Make sure to mention how you've used data dashboards and digital platforms in your previous roles to optimise performance. Show us how you can turn complex market trends into actionable strategies.
Apply Through Our Website:Ready to take the plunge? We encourage you to apply through our website. It’s the best way for us to get your application and for you to join our inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive!
How to prepare for a job interview at Travelodge Hotels Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a candidate for the Head of F&B Strategy, you need to be comfortable with financial metrics. Brush up on your P&L statements and be ready to discuss how you've driven revenue and margin in previous roles. Prepare specific examples that showcase your ability to optimise profitability while keeping the customer experience at the forefront.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
This role requires a visionary mindset, so come prepared with a 3-year F&B strategy outline. Think about growth initiatives and pricing strategies that align with a customer-first approach. Be ready to articulate how your vision can translate into actionable plans that benefit both the business and its guests.
✨Bridge the Gap
You’ll need to act as a liaison between various departments like Marketing, Finance, and Operations. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully collaborated across teams in the past. Highlight any experiences where you’ve ensured a consistent brand experience and how you plan to do this in the new role.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Familiarise yourself with data dashboards and digital platforms that optimise commercial performance. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform decisions in previous roles. Bring examples of how you've analysed market trends and consumer data to create high-growth strategies.
