General Manager - Visitor Centre & Larder Cafe

HIJOBS; Fort William; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A family-run skincare company in Fort William is seeking an experienced General Manager to lead the daily operations of their successful Visitor Centre and Larder Café. Responsibilities include managing a skilled team, ensuring excellence in service, tracking key performance indicators, and identifying growth opportunities in retail and hospitality. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in management, customer service, and compliance, making a real impact on the local tourism sector.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a managerial role within retail or hospitality.
• Strong understanding of KPIs and performance management.
• Ability to coach and develop a multi‑skilled team.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations ensuring great service and smooth delivery.
• Oversee rotas, stock, and merchandising standards.
• Own key site KPIs and report on performance.
• Identify and deliver growth opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety and HR processes.

Skills

Team leadership

Operational management

Customer service excellence

Compliance knowledge

Job description

The Highland Soap Company is a family-run maker of organic soap and skincare at the foot of Ben Nevis. Our Visitor Centre and Larder Cafe welcomes tens of thousands yearly, with a strong full team. We seek a hands‑on General Manager to lead daily operations and drive growth in tourism, retail and hospitality.

We’re The Highland Soap Company – a family‑run maker of organic soap and skincare, based at the foot of Ben Nevis. Our Visitor Centre is one of the Highlands’ best‑loved stops, combining a busy retail store with our Larder Café, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors each year. We have a full‑staffed team across all departments.

We’re looking for an experienced, hands‑on General Manager to lead the day‑to‑day operation and drive the next stage of growth across tourism, retail, and hospitality.

The role

You’ll take ownership of site performance, standards, people, and guest experience – working closely with our directors to track KPIs and deliver commercial improvements across the shop and café.

What you’ll be doing

1. Lead daily operations across retail and café, ensuring great service and smooth delivery
2. Oversee rotas, stock, merchandising, food service standards and presentation
3. Lead, coach, and develop a multi‑skilled team across FOH, kitchen, and retail
4. Own key site KPIs and reporting – sales, margin, labour, waste, conversion, and feedback
5. Spot and deliver growth opportunities – events, new visitor experiences, developing the restaurant
6. Maintain strong compliance across Health and Safety and HR processes – without central support