Food and Beverage General Manager

London Southend Airport; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

London Southend Airport is seeking a General Manager for the Food and Beverage department. The role is pivotal in delivering excellent service in a 24/7 environment, leading diverse teams, and ensuring compliance with food safety standards. A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package are offered, with opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Fully funded apprenticeships from Level 3 to Level 7

Medicash healthcare plan

Discounted BUPA dental plan

Wellbeing app with mood tracking

Employee Assistance Programme

Gym discounts

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• At least 3 years’ experience in a senior food and beverage management role.
• Current knowledge of food safety, licensing, allergen legislation.
• Proven ability to lead and develop large, diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for operational and financial performance of food and beverage outlets.
• Manage sales, profit, and costs, monitoring key metrics.
• Champion guest experiences and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Leadership

Food safety knowledge

Education

Level 3/4 Food Safety

Hospitality Management degree

Job description

About London Southend Airport

Our SENsational colleagues are what make our airport thrive. Our goal is to develop each and every one of our colleagues’ skillsets by investing heavily in training and development throughout their careers, creating a culture of internal development and progression. A number of our senior leadership team began their career with us in an entry level role, the sky is the limit here at LSA.

As one of the key employers for Southend City, we aim to ensure that our roles are accessible to the community. We are committed to providing equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for our colleagues.

Now is an exciting time to join our airport. As a business, we are constantly growing, resulting in a wealth of roles to choose from, including Air Traffic Control, Fuelling, Car Parking, Rail, Security, Ground Maintenance, Firefighters, Cleaning, Technical Services, and more. There really isn’t a better time to join team SENsational.

About The Role

Our Food and Beverage department plays a key role in providing passengers with a smooth and positive journey through our airport. Here’s what you will be doing:

• As the General Manager, you will be responsible for the operational, financial, and customer experience performance of all Food and Beverage outlets across the airport, including cafés, a pub, a premium lounge, and dynamic pop-up bars and eateries.
• You will ensure each outlet delivers outstanding service, strong commercial results, and compliance with all regulatory standards, while creating a welcoming experience for every guest.
• You will lead large, diverse teams, driving a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• You will embody the Airports’ ‘One Team’ culture and support other activities to meet the business needs.
• The airport operates 24/7, so you may be scheduled to work any shift, including early mornings, late nights, weekends, and bank holidays.

Core Activities

Customer Experience

Champion high-quality guest experiences across all outlets and ensure standards are met.

Team Leadership, Development & Training

Support and lead outlet teams to achieve operational and service excellence, and foster colleague engagement and retention.

Commercial & Financial Performance

Manage sales, profit, and costs; monitor key metrics including labour and wastage.

Safety, Compliance & Allergen Management

Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene, and allergen regulations, including Rachel’s Law, and lead safety audits.

Stakeholder Engagement & Airport Collaboration

Act as the primary contact for airport partners and regulatory bodies, aligning with airport policies and goals.

Skills, Knowledge And Expertise

To succeed, you should have:

• At least 3 years’ experience in a senior food and beverage management role within a high-volume environment with annual turnover exceeding £5 million.
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of meeting sales, cost, and profit targets.
• Current knowledge of food safety, licensing, allergen legislation, and HACCP principles; experience with Shield safety is a plus.
• Proven ability to lead and develop large, diverse teams in a fast-paced setting.
• Relevant industry qualifications such as Level 3/4 Food Safety, Hospitality Management degree, or equivalent.

If you require reasonable adjustments during the application process, please discuss during the interview.

Salary: Up to £60,000 per annum, depending on experience.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Fully funded apprenticeships from Level 3 to Level 7.
• Medicash healthcare plan, including virtual GP and Physio, retail discounts, and more.
• Discounted BUPA dental plan.
• Wellbeing app with mood tracking, live chat, and counselling.
• Employee Assistance Programme for health and legal support.
• ‘My Gym Discounts’ for gym memberships.
• Qualified mental health first aiders on site.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Costco Membership scheme.
• World Duty Free discounts.
• Arriva bus discounts.

If you’re interested, please apply now. We look forward to hearing from you!