Restaurant Trainer

Hickorys Smokehouse; Letchworth; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tip Jar

USA-imported smokers

Award-winning training

Free team food on shift

Birthday meal

Holiday off

PTO

Team discount

Wellbeing support

Road trips

Fundraising

Refer a friend bonus

Job summary

Hickory's Smokehouse in the UK is seeking a Restaurant Trainer to lead recruitment and training across our restaurant teams. You will develop colleagues, coach for results, and ensure our Southern Hospitality standards are delivered with consistency and warmth.

The role requires passion for developing others, ability to manage multiple tasks, overnight stays, and a commitment to delivering outstanding guest experiences in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Previous training or coaching experience in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
• Experience with project management.
• Ability to work to strict timeframes.
• Overnight stays will be required.
• Love to pass on knowledge to team and guests.
• Motivate, coach, train and develop team to Hickory's standard.
• Deliver an amazing guest experience and push teams to reach potential.
• Welcoming, empathetic personality and clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment and training of restaurant teams.
• Develop others and deliver personalised service.
• Maintain Hickory's hospitality standards across shifts.
• Provide constructive feedback and coaching to team members.
• Evaluate processes and implement improvements.

Skills

Training experience

Project management

Time management

Coaching

Leadership

Communication

Feedback

Empathy

Guest experience

High standards

Job description

Start an exciting new chapter in your hospitality career at Hickory's Smokehouse - We are thrilled to have been recently crowned the ‘Best Pub Employer’ for 2025 at The Publican Awards!

Are you currently an experienced trainer who is bursting with passion, ambition and ready for your next big challenge?

Are you driven by developing others? Are you a person that can lead and inspire? In this role, you will be involved in the recruitment and training of our restaurant teams!

Your role will embrace our ‘Southern Hospitality’ mindset through leading team trips and help us bring our authentic southern style hospitality to the UK. If you hold the qualities to develop others and deliver personalised top-class service, then you might have the spark we are looking for!

Essential requirements of a successful Hickory's Restaurant Trainer?

• Previous training or coaching experience in a similar role within a fast-paced or high-volume restaurant environment.
• Previous experience with project management.
• Can work to strict timeframes.
• Overnight stays will be required.
• Love to pass on your knowledge to all team and guests.
• Ability to motivate, coach, train and develop team to the Hickory's standard.
• Passionate about delivering an amazing guest experience and pushing team to reach their full potential.
• Have a welcoming, empathetic, and infectious personality.
• The drive to find grey areas, think outside the box and never give up on any team member!
• The ability to evaluate our processes and bring new ideas.
• Open and honest communication skills, experience of or the ability to give feedback.
• Can set and maintain the highest standards.

Why join Hickory's?

• A package of up to £16.20 per hour including Tip Jar - that’s up to £3.00 per hour in tips!
• £250k bespoke-built kitchen with USA-imported smokers
• Award-winning training & clear progression opportunities
• Free team food on shift & a birthday meal on us - Huge BBQ menu with endless possibilities!
• Christmas Day off
• Paid time off for life’s big moments (weddings, first day at school, moving into your first home & more
• 25% team discount across Hickory’s (Rising to 50% with loyal service)
• 24/7 wellbeing support & a culture that truly values work-life balance
• Road trips to the Southern States, Europe & UK and stacks of enrichment opportunities
• A chance to ‘give a bit back’ with fundraising activities for Cash For Kids
• Up to £1000 for you - through the refer a friend scheme

Important note: To be considered for this position you must have the legal right to work in the UK and be at least 18 years old.