Manager, Food Services

Apply on JLP Jobs - the official careers website for John Lewis Partnership, John Lewis & Partners, and Waitrose & Partners.

Salary: £28,000 - £44,000

Contract type: This position is a Secondment/Fixed Term contract until December 2025.

Working pattern/flexible working: 37.5 hours per week. A mix of shifts, earliest start time 7am - latest finish time 23:30pm. Full flexibility is required to cover the operational needs, weekends on a rota basis.

Location: This role is based at our Brownsea Castle Hotel, Brownsea Island. Live in accommodation is available if required.

Key Responsibilities

1. Overall responsibility for the management of the FOH team.
2. Planning, prioritisation, set up and delivery of the food service operation in all areas of the hotel, to include functions, outdoor catering events and seasonal operations.
3. Designated Premises Licence holder and having overall responsibility for complying with legislation, employment law, regulations, food standards, drinks service behind the bar.
4. Risk assessments, weekly equipment checks, making sure the maintenance issues are reported.
5. Minimising hotel costs and waste.
6. Maintaining and exceeding levels of customer service.
7. Achieve profit targets by controlling food costs, minimising wastage and exploiting all appropriate efficiencies.
8. Oversee and provide input on the daily hotel operations as a vital member of the hotel leadership team.
9. Acting as Duty Manager where required.

Essential Skills/Experience You’ll Need

1. People management experience.
2. Extensive food and beverage industry experience (at least five years).
3. Proven ability to lead and motivate teams.
4. Strong communication and organisational skills.
5. Customer service expertise.
6. In-depth knowledge of food and beverage menus, inventory management, and cost control.
7. Proficient in problem-solving.
8. Understanding of profit and loss accounts.
9. Commercial awareness.
10. Ability to work with various computer systems (finance, hotel booking, personnel, etc.).
11. Ability to interpret and enforce food safety and health and safety regulations.
12. Hospitality sector experience.
13. Strong organisational and planning skills.

Desirable Skills/Experience You May Have

1. Food Safety Level 3.
2. Understanding of HACCP.
3. A Personal licence.

About Brownsea Castle:

Working on an island, living in a castle with red squirrels at your window sounds like a fantasy, but due to the wonderful and unique Brownsea Castle, this could be your reality. It’s our place by the sea, our island getaway across beautiful Poole Harbour offering an escape to our Partners with history and nature in abundance. Guests stay on the National Trust run island in the amazing Tudor castle, set amongst 17 acres of private grounds with stunning Italian gardens and a dedicated beach offering relaxation and beautiful nature walks.

If you are looking for a hotel with a difference, this could be it. You’ll be surrounded by a team of passionate and dedicated hospitality Partners who give our guests the best experience possible. What is different about our guests though is that they are Partners with their friends and family. As co-owners in the business, you’ll see this difference in the way your teammates and you approach your job and carry out your responsibilities.

With all of the island to explore or using any of the facilities on offer; a croquet lawn, children's play area, badminton, football, cricket, fishing, archery and frisbee golf you can guarantee that our guests will be hungry and looking to recharge with the fantastic food offering we give them.

Boats: We have our own private boat service from Poole Quay to get Partners to and from work, these boats run approximately once an hour between 7am - 11pm.

Car parking: Parking can be found on BCP Council car park information page - here.

Buses: Buses stop at 7pm and all staff are required to cover late night shifts beyond the bus times.

As Food & Beverage Manager at Brownsea Castle, you'll inspire your team to create unforgettable moments for our guests and members. You'll lead the Catering Front of House Team in delivering outstanding food and beverage service that exceeds expectations.

Partnering with the Head Chef and your brigades, you'll drive results, achieve sales targets, and ensure exceptional customer service while upholding stringent food safety and alcohol regulations.

Taking ownership of the food and beverage service for Brownsea Castle, orchestrating seamless delivery for all functions and events. Collaborate with the General Manager and the other hotel leadership team members to shape and deliver innovative initiatives that align with our business goals.