Food & Beverage Supervisor

Chester Zoo; Chester; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff pass for unlimited zoo entry

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Job summary

Chester Zoo is seeking a Food & Beverage Supervisor to support The Oakfield pub-restaurant and coordinate the Front of House team, working with our Chef and management to deliver outstanding guest experiences.

You will oversee service, develop the team, ensure compliance, and support events at The Square. The role requires 40 hours per week on a rota, including weekends and evenings.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a busy gastro-pub or restaurant environment.
• Experience coordinating the daily activities of team members.
• Exceptional customer service skills within a guest-focused environment.
• Knowledge of health and safety procedures, risk assessments, and food safety legislation.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office.
• Cash handling experience, including balancing safes, floats, and tills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily front-of-house operations at The Oakfield, including rota management, opening/closing, health and safety, stock control and cash handling.
• Lead and coordinate Front of House to ensure exceptional guest experiences and high service standards.
• Train, coach, and motivate team members to develop a positive, high-performing culture.
• Monitor performance and take action to meet operational, financial, and service targets while maintaining compliance.
• Serve customers at the bar and restaurant, taking orders, serving, and processing payments.
• Collaborate with the Chef and management to ensure smooth daily operations.
• Support events at The Square and The Oakfield, including weddings and corporate hospitality.
• Provide cover for the Food & Beverage Assistant Manager in their absence.

Skills

Team coordination

Customer service

Microsoft Office

Cash handling

Health & safety

Food safety

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Food & Beverage Supervisor

Where else could you stroll past rare giraffes and tigers on your break? At Chester Zoo, your working environment is anything but ordinary.

The Role

Supporting our management team within The Oakfield pub-restaurant, you will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination of our Front of House team, working closely with our Chef and wider management team to deliver exceptional guest experiences and maintain high operational standards.

As part of this role, you will oversee the smooth running of service, support team development, and ensure compliance with company procedures across all areas of the operation. While your main focus will be within The Oakfield, you will also provide support to events within The Square, our luxury events venue, when required, helping to deliver weddings, corporate events, and other special occasions to an exceptional standard.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day running of The Oakfield, including rota management, opening and closing procedures, health and safety compliance, stock control, and cash security.
• Lead and coordinate Front of House operations to ensure exceptional guest experiences and consistently high service standards.
• Train, coach, and motivate team members, fostering a positive and high-performing team culture.
• Monitor performance and take appropriate action to achieve operational, financial, and service targets while maintaining compliance.
• Serve customers across the bar and restaurant to the highest standards, including taking orders, food and drink service, and payment processing.
• Work closely with the Chef and wider management team to ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of daily operations.
• Support the delivery of events within The Square and The Oakfield when required, including weddings, corporate hospitality, and special occasions.
• Deputise for the Food & Beverage Assistant Manager in their absence, ensuring continuity of leadership and operational standards.

Why Join Chester Zoo?

As the UK’s largest and most popular zoo, we have ambitious goals and exciting plans for the future. We are an inclusive and diverse organisation made up of over 600 permanent and 500 temporary team members.

We are committed to investing in our colleagues, supporting career development, and creating opportunities for growth.

The Package

You’ll be working 40 hours per week, 5 days out of 7 on a rota basis, including weekends and bank holidays and evening work will be required for late night opening and events

• £27,500 per annum
• 33 days annual leave per annum
• Annual holiday buy/sell scheme
• Staff pass for unlimited zoo entry during your time off, plus complimentary tickets for friends and family
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and cash healthcare plan
• Employer contributory pension scheme
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions
• Plus much more! Find out more about our benefits here

Our Requirements

• Experience working in a busy gastro-pub or restaurant environment
• Experience coordinating the daily activities of team members
• Exceptional customer service skills within a guest-focused environment
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office
• Cash handling experience, including balancing safes, floats, and tills
• Knowledge of health and safety procedures, risk assessments, and food safety legislation

Desirable

• Experience supporting events such as weddings, corporate meetings, or functions

More About Us

We’re not just an award-winning visitor attraction, home to over 30,000 incredible animals across 128 acres of stunning gardens. We’re also a leading wildlife charity, committed to preventing extinction and recovering endangered species globally.

As the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a significant contribution to conservation when it’s needed most.

We are Chester Zoo. And we prevent extinction.

Please note: Shortlisting and interviews will take place while the advert is live. The role will close once a successful candidate is appointed, so early applications are encouraged.