Assistant Food Beverage Manager

Riverside Studios; Greater London; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Studios seeks an experienced Food & Beverage Assistant Manager to support the F&B Manager in day-to-day operations across the restaurant, bars, bakery, private events, and theatre service. You will lead supervisors and front-of-house teams, ensuring top guest experiences and efficient service during peak periods.

Role emphasizes driving sales, controlling costs, developing the team, and ensuring compliance with company policies and regulations.

Qualifications

• Previous management/supervisory experience in hospitality, F&B, or events.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Experience managing high-volume F&B operations.
• Excellent knowledge of restaurant, bar, and events operations.

Responsibilities

• Support the F&B Manager in daily operation of all outlets (restaurant, bars, bakery, private events, theatre).
• Lead shifts, ensuring high guest service and efficient delivery.
• Cover department in the Manager's absence.
• Drive sales via upselling, promotions, and product knowledge.
• Ensure compliance with licensing, food safety, and health & safety requirements.
• Oversee stock, cash handling, and financial controls.

Skills

Leadership

F&B operations

Budgeting

Team development

Customer service

Events coordination

Tools

POS systems

Rota management software

Stock management systems

Job description

Job Title: Food & Beverage Assistant Manager

Reporting To: Food & Beverage Manager

Role Overview

Riverside Studios is a multi-arts centre located on the banks of the River Thames in Hammersmith, presenting contemporary theatre, film, visual arts, and television production. Alongside its artistic programme, Riverside Studios offers a vibrant hospitality experience for audiences, visitors, and event clients.

The Food & Beverage Assistant Manager supports the Food & Beverage Manager in the day-to-day operation of all food and beverage outlets, ensuring exceptional guest experiences, operational efficiency, and commercial performance. This role is responsible for leading supervisors and front-of-house teams, maintaining consistently high service standards, and ensuring smooth operations across the restaurant, bars, bakery, private events, and theatre service.

The Assistant Manager plays a key role in driving sales, controlling costs, developing the team, and ensuring compliance with all company policies and statutory regulations. In the absence of the Food & Beverage Manager, the Assistant Manager assumes responsibility for the department and its operations.

Key Responsibilities

Food & Beverage Operations & Service Delivery

• Support the Food & Beverage Manager in the daily operation of all F&B outlets, including the restaurant, bars, bakery, private events, and theatre service.
• Lead operational shifts, ensuring excellent guest service and efficient service delivery throughout all trading periods.
• Take responsibility for the department in the absence of the Food & Beverage Manager.
• Ensure fast, efficient service during peak trading periods, particularly pre-show, interval, and post-show service.
• Monitor staffing levels, guest flow, and service standards to maximise operational efficiency.
• Ensure food and beverages are prepared and served consistently in accordance with company standards.
• Resolve guest complaints and service issues professionally, ensuring appropriate service recovery.
• Drive sales through effective upselling, promotions, seasonal offers, and product knowledge.
• Ensure compliance with licensing legislation, responsible alcohol service, food safety, hygiene, and health & safety regulations.
• Monitor outlet presentation, cleanliness, maintenance, and operational readiness at all times.
• Investigate and report operational issues, incidents, maintenance concerns, and customer feedback where required.

Financial Performance & Stock Management

• Support the achievement of departmental revenue, labour, and gross profit targets.
• Assist in monitoring daily sales performance and identifying opportunities to increase revenue.
• Oversee stock control across all outlets, ensuring accurate ordering, receiving, storage, and stock rotation.
• Monitor stock variances, wastage, breakages, and shortages, implementing corrective actions where necessary.
• Assist with supplier deliveries, invoice checking, stock reconciliation, and monthly stock takes.
• Support labour management by monitoring staffing levels in line with business demand.
• Ensure company procedures relating to cash handling, till reconciliation, and financial controls are followed.
• Take responsibility for accurate cash handling throughout the shift, including the secure management of cash takings, float, and cash transactions.
• Complete and/or oversee end-of-day cashing-up and reconciliation, ensuring till records, cash declarations, card transactions, and physical takings are accurately recorded and balanced.
• Investigate and report any cash discrepancies, ensuring supporting documentation is completed and issues are escalated to the Food & Beverage Manager where required.
• Ensure all cash handling and reconciliation procedures are completed correctly, with appropriate checks and sign-off in accordance with company procedures.

Performance & Event Operations

• Support the delivery of food and beverage service during performances, private hires, corporate events, press nights, and special functions.
• Work closely with theatre operations, kitchen, technical, and events teams to ensure seamless event delivery.
• Coordinate staffing, outlet setup, and operational planning according to audience numbers and event requirements.
• Ensure all outlets are fully stocked, staffed, and operationally ready before audience arrival and service intervals.
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of new menus, promotions, and operational improvements.
• Lead, motivate, and support supervisors and front-of-house teams to deliver consistently high standards.
• Conduct shift briefings covering operational priorities, sales targets, product availability, and health & safety updates.
• Allocate duties effectively to maximise productivity and guest satisfaction.
• Coach supervisors and team members through regular feedback and on-the-job training.
• Support recruitment, interviewing, onboarding, and induction of new employees.
• Assist with performance management, probation reviews, absence management, and disciplinary procedures where appropriate.
• Identify training needs and support employee development and succession planning.
• Ensure all mandatory training and compliance requirements are completed within required timeframes.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative working environment.

Compliance & Operational Standards

• Ensure full compliance with company policies, food safety legislation, licensing requirements, and health & safety procedures.
• Conduct regular operational audits to maintain standards across all outlets.
• Support risk assessments, accident reporting, and implementation of corrective actions.
• Ensure equipment is maintained and faults are reported promptly.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.

KPIs

• Achievement of departmental sales, labour, and gross profit targets.
• Customer satisfaction scores and positive guest feedback.
• Service speed targets achieved during pre-show, interval, and post-show periods.
• Queue times maintained within agreed operational benchmarks.
• Growth in average transaction value through effective upselling.
• Reduction in stock losses, wastage, and breakages.
• Accurate completion of stock takes and inventory controls.
• Labour costs maintained within agreed budgets.
• Compliance audit scores achieved across food safety, licensing, and health & safety.
• Staff retention, engagement, and completion of mandatory training.
• Successful delivery of performances, private events, and corporate functions.

Person Specification

• Previous management or senior supervisory experience within hospitality, food & beverage, and events.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Experience managing high-volume food and beverage operations.
• Excellent knowledge of restaurant, bar, and event operations.
• Strong understanding of stock control, labour management, and financial performance.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining exceptional service standards.
• Good understanding of licensing, food safety, and health & safety legislation.
• Flexible approach to working evenings, weekends, and performance schedules.
• Personal Licence Holder.
• Experience within arts, entertainment, or cultural venues.
• Experience using POS, rota management, and stock management systems.