General Manager

Compass Group PLC; Atherstone; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A premium hospitality provider is seeking a General Manager for Twycross Zoo to lead and develop their catering operations. The role involves managing a skilled team, optimizing financial performance, and ensuring compliance with company standards. The ideal candidate has a strong contract catering background and excellent leadership skills. This position offers a collaborative environment with numerous benefits including annual leave, free parking, and a chance to work in a beautiful setting.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Free parking

Free staff meals

On-site F&B discounts

Access to training and development

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in a similar General Manager role.
• Strong contract catering background from a visitor attraction site.
• Proven experience leading a large, diverse team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the catering operations at Twycross Zoo.
• Manage labour planning, cost control, and forecasting.
• Drive commercial opportunities to maximize revenue.

Skills

Leadership

Financial acumen

Communication

Team management

Job description

As the General Manager at Twycross Zoo, you will be joining this well‑known visitor attraction to lead and develop the catering operations, whereby the guests remain at the heart of every decision. This role will be responsible for the multi‑outlet catering operation based on site, which consists of a handful of smaller grab & go kiosks, three food concession units, a fish & chip outlet as well as a restaurant. Having a commercial and strategic approach to the catering offering at this site is key. This venue is predominantly retail food led, with approximately 90% of its F&B sales coming from this. Twycross Zoo is currently undergoing some site developments to enhance its conference & events offering and increase the footfall and business coming into the venue. Because of the site developments as well as the existing catering offering, this role would be suited to an experienced contract catering individual who enjoys leading by example with their hands‑on the ground approach. Because of the location of Twycross Zoo, it is imperative that the successful individual has a UK driving license.

Responsibilities

• Leading, training and developing a motivated, skilled team of operators and culinary teams.
• Managing all aspects of labour planning, cost control and forecasting.
• Identifying and driving commercial opportunities to maximise revenue within food & beverage.
• Maintaining strong client relationships and ensuring their expectations are exceeded.
• Overseeing operational delivery across all food and hospitality services.
• Ensuring compliance with company policies, health and safety standards and financial targets.
• Supporting and delivering the venue's growth strategy in partnership with the client.

Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience in a similar General Manager role.
• A strong contract catering background (ideally from a visitor attraction site), that has covered both retail and C&E business.
• Excellent financial and commercial acumen.
• Proven experience leading a large, diverse team of contracted and casual staff.
• Keen eye for detail when managing budgets and spotting areas for improvement and growth.
• Exceptional communication style with both client and on‑site team and a clear leader.
• A genuine passion for development of the food & beverage offering and working with the client to progress this.

About Restaurant Associates

Restaurant Associates is a leading premium hospitality provider with an ethos drawn from our history of fine and high‑quality dining in London and New York. Within our venues team, we provide catering and hospitality services to some of the most iconic visitor attractions and destinations in the UK including the Imperial War Museum London, Glyndebourne Opera House, Knebworth House, Design Museum, Whipsnade Zoo and many more. Within these amazing venues we operate a host of bespoke cafés and restaurants, as well as delivering private events ranging from small meetings to large‑scale ground events of up to 1,000 people. You can find a full list of our venues on our website. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, diverse, fun, and dynamic place to work with opportunities to collaborate with a wide range of teams plus a commitment to putting our people first. Restaurant Associates is an equal‑opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a business, we are committed to sustainability‑led practices and are proud to have achieved 3 stars with the Sustainable Restaurant Association's Food Made Good Programme.

Benefits

• A collaborative and inclusive culture, where your ideas are valued, and creativity is encouraged.
• The chance to work in a truly beautiful and inspiring setting, surrounded by nature and stunning gardens.
• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays and national holiday days).
• Free parking on site.
• Free staff meals whilst at work.
• Access to Compass Group company perks & benefits.
• Perks for Works discounts and promotions.
• Access to training, mentoring and development, with support from our wider Restaurant Associates and Compass Group UK networks.
• On‑site F&B discounts.