At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead nine restaurants in Wales, empowering teams and enhancing guest experiences.
- Company: Wagamama, a vibrant Asian-inspired restaurant chain with over 170 locations.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, 30% bonus, and a £200 monthly food allowance.
- Other info: Inclusive culture celebrating individuality, with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team where your leadership can make a real impact on hospitality.
- Qualifications: Proven multi-site leadership experience in hospitality and strong commercial judgement.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Wales | Competitive salary + car allowance + 30% bonus. At wagamama, food is life and we’re here to make every bite count. With over 170 restaurants across the UK and growing, we’ve been serving fresh, vibrant, Asian-inspired flavours since ’92. It’s all about good food, good energy and making people feel at home.
We’re looking for an area manager to lead nine restaurants across our Wales patch. You’ll lead through your general managers, creating brilliant restaurant performance, strong teams and memorable guest experiences. Sound like your kind of challenge?
Purpose: Lead a high-performing area where general managers feel empowered to own their restaurants, teams thrive and every guest leaves with a great wagamama experience. You’ll turn regional priorities into focused action while owning commercial performance, operational standards, people and culture across your nine sites.
What you'll own:
- Lead, coach and develop general managers, building confidence, capability and accountability.
- Own your area P&L, driving sales, EBIT and sustainable growth.
- Create consistently brilliant hospitality, food, kitchen and operational standards.
- Build a caring, inclusive culture with strong retention and a visible pipeline of future leaders.
- Use guest, competitor and local market insight to unlock opportunities across the area.
- Lead change and bring business priorities to life without losing pace, performance or people.
What you'll need:
- Proven multi-site leadership experience within a strong hospitality, restaurant or consumer-facing business.
- Experience leading and developing general managers or senior site leaders.
- Strong commercial judgement, including ownership of an area P&L, labour and budgets.
- A track record of improving performance and building sustainable results through others.
- The confidence to coach, challenge and make clear, evidence-led decisions.
- A warm, straightforward and inclusive leadership style, with the energy to keep things moving.
What’s in it for you:
- Competitive salary, car allowance and 30% bonus opportunity.
- Come as you are culture, where individuality is celebrated and everyone has a seat at the table.
- £200 monthly wagamama food allowance, so you can enjoy all your favourite dishes on us.
- Private healthcare cover for your family.
- 6% pension contribution.
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Discounts across retail, hospitality and leisure, with perks that make life sweeter.
- Family-friendly pay, including 26 weeks’ full pay plus 13 weeks’ half pay for expectant or adopting parents.
Nothing brings people together like great food. No matter where you’re from or who you are, you’ve got a seat at our table because food is the ultimate connector, and here everyone belongs.
area manager in Wales employer: wagamama
Wagamama is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and wellbeing of its team members, offering a vibrant work culture where individuality is celebrated. As a Front of House Manager, you will enjoy benefits such as a generous annual bonus, biweekly pay, and free meals on shift, all while leading a passionate team dedicated to delivering unforgettable guest experiences. With a strong focus on training and development, Wagamama empowers you to nurture your team's potential in a supportive environment that values fresh ingredients and great service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land area manager in Wales
✨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 wagamama. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to wagamama
Don't be shy about reaching out to wagamama 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 area manager in Wales
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 wagamama 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 wagamama
✨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!
