Restaurant Trainer

Hickory's Smokehouse; Nuthall CP; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Team meals

Birthday meal on us

25% team discount

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Hickory's Smokehouse is seeking an experienced Restaurant Trainer to lead recruitment and training for our restaurant teams across the UK. You will drive the Southern Hospitality mindset, coach staff, and ensure an outstanding guest experience in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires overnight stays, project management experience, and a passion for developing others. Join us for award-winning training, progression opportunities, team meals, and a culture valuing work–life balance.

Qualifications

• Previous training or coaching experience in a fast-paced restaurant environment.
• Experience with project management.
• Able to work to strict timeframes.
• Willing to stay overnight as required.
• Enjoy teaching others and sharing knowledge with teams and guests.
• Ability to motivate and develop staff to Hickory's standards.
• Passionate about delivering excellent guest experiences.
• Welcoming, empathetic personality with clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment and onboarding of restaurant teams.
• Develop and implement training programmes.
• Coach teams to uphold Hickory's standards.
• Identify process improvements and implement ideas.

Skills

Training experience

Coaching

Project management

Time management

Motivational leadership

Guest experience

Communication skills

Feedback delivery

Job description

Start an exciting new chapter in your hospitality career at Hickory's Smokehouse - We arethrilled 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 ourrestaurant 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 bringnew 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?

• package of up to £16.20per 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

Please 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.