Operations Host (Guest Services and Food and Beverage)

Wild Planet Trust; Newquay; Remote; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days holiday pro-rata

Free uniform

Top-tier training

Free zoo entry for family

Food and retail discounts

Free staff parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Wild Planet Trust’s Newquay Zoo location is seeking two Operations Hosts to join our Guest Services and Food & Beverage teams on a permanent basis. The role spans admissions, retail and cafe duties, requiring flexibility across weekends and varied shifts.

As a frontline team member, you’ll welcome visitors, answer queries, serve food and drinks, and help ensure a memorable guest experience from arrival to departure.

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold Level 2 Food Hygiene or be willing to obtain it.
• Experience in food & beverage or hospitality is preferred.
• Good knowledge of allergens and food safety best practices.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist visitors, delivering warm, professional welcome.
• Provide excellent customer service and handle guest enquiries confidently.
• Prepare and serve food and beverages across restaurants, kiosks and catering outlets.
• Assist with stock control, rotation and minimizing waste.
• Operate admissions areas, process tickets and assist with memberships and promotions.
• Support retail operations including merchandising and sales transactions.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and safety across front-of-house areas.

Skills

Food hygiene knowledge

Customer service

Communication

Team player

Cash handling

Education

Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate

Tools

Cash register tills

Job description

Operations Host (Guest Services and Food and Beverage)

Location Newquay Zoo, Trenance Gardens, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 2LZ Salary National Minimum Wage Application Deadline Sunday, November 22, 2026 Job Summary

Newquay Zoo’s journey from a small petting zoo to a thriving conservation and education hub is truly inspiring. Over the past five decades, we have become a cornerstone of wildlife protection and a top tourist attraction in Cornwall. There are over 120 species of animal that call Newquay Zoo home including Penguins, Lynx and even endangered Hyenas! We blend conservation with education and public engagement. From lush gardens to interactive exhibits, it’s clearly more than just a day out—it’s clearly more than just a day out—it’s a place where people connect with wildlife and learn how to protect it.

Do you enjoy delivering outstanding customer service and creating memorable experiences for guests? We're looking for 2 friendly, enthusiastic and adaptable Operations Hosts (Guest Services and Food and Beverage) to join our team on a permanent basis. This is a permanent position offering a minimum of 8 hours per week, worked across 2 days. Applicants must be available to work weekends, including regular Saturdays and Sundays, and be flexible to work varying shifts throughout the week as required.

This is a varied and hands-on role combining food and beverage service with admissions, retail and guest services responsibilities. You'll be one of the first points of contact for visitors, helping to ensure every guest enjoys a welcoming, engaging and memorable experience from arrival through to departure.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing a warm, friendly and professional welcome to all visitors.
• Delivering excellent customer service and responding to visitor enquiries confidently and accurately.
• Preparing and serving food and beverages across our restaurants, kiosks and catering outlets.
• Undertake kitchen duties including food preparation and light cooking, ensuring food is produced safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards
• Maintaining high standards of food hygiene, cleanliness and presentation across all front-of-house areas.
• Assisting with stock control, stock rotation and minimising waste.
• Managing queues and supporting safe visitor flow throughout the site.
• Completing cleaning, temperature and compliance records accurately.
• Operating admissions areas, processing tickets and assisting guests with memberships, experiences and promotions.
• Supporting retail operations, including merchandising, stock replenishment and processing sales transactions.
• Working closely with colleagues across departments to ensure smooth day-to-day operations.
• Supporting site standards by maintaining clean, organised and welcoming visitor areas.

What We're Looking For

• Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate (or willingness to obtain it)
• Previous experience in food and beverage or hospitality roles.
• Awareness of allergens
• A passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Confidence using tills and handling cash accurately.
• A positive, flexible and proactive approach to work.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in a busy environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high standards of cleanliness, safety and service.
• A team player who is happy to support across multiple areas of the business.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to work in a unique visitor attraction environment where no two days are the same. You'll gain experience across food and beverage, admissions, retail and visitor services while being part of a friendly and supportive team committed to providing exceptional guest experiences.

At Newquay Zoo, we believe taking care of our team is just as important as caring for our animals. That’s why we offer a benefits package that’s packed with perks: enjoy 33 days of paid holiday pro-rata, free branded uniform to keep you looking sharp, and access to top-tier training. Your family can join the adventure too, with free zoo entry for loved ones, plus sweet discounts on food and retail while you’re on site. We’ll make parking a breeze with free staff spaces and support your wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Programme.

We proudly champion equality of opportunity for all our team members. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, including but not limited to age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage or civil partnerships. Inclusion isn't just a policy—it’s part of our culture. Everyone deserves the chance to thrive here.

If you're passionate about customer service, enjoy working with people and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we'd love to hear from you.

We’ll be reviewing applications and inviting candidates to interview throughout the advertising period—so don’t wait! If this opportunity speaks to you, send your application in as soon as possible. The role may be filled before the closing date

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