Group Operations Manager

Highland Inns Ltd; Findhorn; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Company vehicle

Pension

Job summary

Highland Inns Ltd seeks an experienced Group General Manager to oversee two established pubs, The Kimberley Inn (Findhorn) and The Lock Inn (Fort Augustus). This senior, hands-on role offers significant autonomy, a competitive salary (£45,000–£55,000 DOE) and a company vehicle.

You will drive operational performance and lead management teams across both sites. Ideal candidates bring proven hospitality leadership, strong P&L understanding and the ability to develop and sustain high standards,

Qualifications

• Significant experience in senior hospitality leadership (GM/Area Manager).
• Proven track record of leading hospitality teams and achieving commercial goals.
• Strong understanding of P&L, costs and labour management.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across two pubs and drive operational performance.
• Support and develop site management teams and monitor KPIs.
• Maintain high standards of food, drink, service and customer experience.
• Oversee staffing, recruitment and development, and labour costs.
• Ensure licensing, food safety and health & safety compliance.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue and profitability and implement systems.

Skills

Leadership

P&L management

People management

Hospitality operations

Job description

The Kimberley Inn, Findhorn & The Lock Inn, Fort Augustus

£45,000–£55,000 DOE + Performance Bonus + Company Vehicle

We are looking for an experienced and ambitious Group General Manager to oversee two established, independently owned pubs in the Scottish Highlands.

Our family business operates The Kimberley Inn in Findhorn and The Lock Inn in Fort Augustus – two busy, food-led pubs in fantastic locations, each with its own strong identity, loyal customer base and experienced team.

As our family begins to step back from the day-to-day running of the businesses, we are looking for someone exceptional to take greater ownership of operations across both sites.

This is a senior, hands‑on role with significant autonomy and the opportunity to make a genuine impact on how the businesses are run and developed.

The Role

Working closely with the owners, you will have overall responsibility for the operational performance of both pubs.

You will support and lead the management teams at each site, ensuring consistently high standards while driving commercial performance and creating a positive working environment.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing leadership and operational oversight across both venues
• Supporting, developing and holding site management teams accountable
• Maintaining consistently high standards of food, drink, service and customer experience
• Recruiting, training and developing managers and team members
• Overseeing staffing levels and labour costs
• Monitoring sales, GP, labour percentages, costs and overall financial performance
• Working with the owners and management teams to identify opportunities to increase revenue and profitability
• Implementing and improving operational systems and processes
• Ensuring full compliance with licensing, food safety, employment and health & safety requirements
• Managing suppliers and supporting purchasing and cost control
• Handling operational issues confidently and effectively
• Helping to build a positive, professional and accountable culture across both businesses
• Supporting future projects and the continued development of the group

Although this is a senior management position, we are an independent hospitality business and are looking for someone who is comfortable being hands‑on when required. You'll be visible in the businesses, know the teams and understand what's happening on the floor – not manage solely from behind a desk.

About You

We are looking for an experienced hospitality operator who combines strong people leadership with commercial awareness. Attitude and drive is more important to us than years of experience although can be advantageous

Ideally, you will have:

• Significant experience as a General Manager, Operations Manager, Area Manager or similar senior hospitality role
• A proven track record of successfully leading hospitality teams
• Strong understanding of P&L, GP, labour management and cost control
• Experience recruiting, developing and retaining great people
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities
• Confidence making decisions and taking ownership
• High standards and genuine attention to detail
• A passion for great pubs, food and hospitality
• A practical, hands‑on management style
• A full UK driving licence

Previous multi-site experience would be advantageous, although we would also welcome applications from single-site Managers ready and hungry to take the next step in their career.

The Package

• £45,000–£55,000 salary depending on experience
• Performance-related bonus
• Company vehicle
• Pension
• Significant autonomy and responsibility
• Direct involvement in future business decisions and development
• Opportunity to play a key role in the next chapter of an established independent hospitality business

About Us

We are a long-established, family-owned hospitality business with pubs in two of Scotland's most distinctive locations.

We're proud of what we've built, but we're also ambitious about what comes next.

We're investing in our businesses, modernising our systems and looking at how we can operate more efficiently while retaining the personality, independence and warm hospitality that make our pubs special.

We're looking for someone who wants to become an important part of that journey.

This role would suit an experienced operator looking for greater autonomy, variety and the opportunity to have a real influence on a business rather than simply implementing decisions made by a head office.

If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.