Senior Manager - Food & Beverage

FORGE HOLIDAY GROUP LTD; England; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality group in the UK is seeking a Senior Manager - Food & Beverage to lead and innovate culinary experiences across nature-based retreats. The ideal candidate will have extensive F&B management experience and a passion for sustainability. This role offers competitive salary and hybrid working with notable employee benefits.

Benefits

Annual STIP performance-based bonus

33 days holiday

Birthday off

2 paid volunteering days

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

B Corp certified benefits

Exclusive holiday discounts

Health cash plan

Gym access at HQ

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in multi-site F&B development or management.
• Proven ability to drive revenue and improve margins.
• Passionate about using technology to enhance guest experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead group-wide F&B development pipeline for consistency.
• Define service quality and sustainability standards.
• Work with suppliers to drive revenue growth and improve margins.

Skills

F&B innovation

Commercial negotiation

Financial and analytical skills

Hospitality regulations compliance

Sustainability awareness

Education

Degree in Hospitality or Business

Job description

Location: Hybrid - Regional travel and occasional visits to our Chester HQ as required.
Salary: Up to £65,000 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Team: Guest Experience

Forge Holiday Group doesn’t just do holidays, we create unforgettable experiences. With market-leading brands like Forest Holidays, Sykes Holiday Cottages, and Bachcare, our 1,700+ strong team is driven by four values: One Business One Team, Keep it Simple, Grow & Learn, and Sustainable Impact.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Senior Manager ­‑ Food & Beverage who’s ready to lead, innovate, and transform the culinary experience across our portfolio of nature‑based retreats and regional short‑term let brands. This is a role for someone who combines creative flair with commercial acumen and can make every meal a memorable part of the guest journey.

What You’ll Do

Strategic Development

Lead the group‑wide F&B development pipeline to ensure a consistent, market‑leading offer. Use guest data, industry insights, and external market trends to shape and evolve the F&B strategy. Develop seasonal and long‑term product roadmaps to drive innovation, competitiveness, and relevance.

Guest Experience & Standards

Ensure the F&B offer delivers memorable guest experiences aligned with Forge Holiday Group’s purpose and House Model. Define and oversee standards across all locations, including service quality, menu consistency, allergen compliance, and sustainability integration. Position F&B as a core element of the guest journey, alongside activities, retail, and local partnerships.

Commercial Delivery

Work with suppliers and partners to drive revenue growth, cost efficiency, and margin improvement. Negotiate commercial terms with suppliers to ensure value, quality, and sustainable sourcing. Analyse F&B performance data and provide actionable insights to enhance profitability and guest satisfaction.

Collaboration & Leadership

Act as a subject matter expert and trusted advisor to senior leaders, location managers, and cross‑functional teams. Partner with Procurement, Operations, Retail, and Marketing to ensure readiness and successful delivery of new initiatives. Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, distributors, and industry bodies to maximise group capability.

Additional Duties

Perform any other duties within the scope, spirit, and purpose of the role as requested by your line manager.

What You’ll Bring

Essential Experience

• Degree in Hospitality, Business, or equivalent experience.
• Extensive experience in multi‑site F&B development or management.
• Track record of F&B innovation and commercial negotiation.
• Strong understanding of UK hospitality regulations, safety, and sustainability.
• Proven ability to drive revenue, improve margins, and elevate guest experience.
• Commercially minded with a focus on efficiency and value creation.
• Passionate about using technology to enable outstanding guest experience.
• Resilient and able to lead through change.
• Committed to sustainability, ensuring systems help measure and reduce the Group’s impact.

Desirable Experience

• Commercially astute with strong financial and analytical skills.
• Exceptional relationship‑builder with internal and external stakeholders.
• Creative and innovative in developing new food and beverage propositions.
• Passionate about hospitality, food, and guest experience.

Forge Holiday Group Benefits

• Annual STIP Company‑wide Bonus performance‑based bonus.
• 33 days holiday (incl. bank hols) + extra days for long service.
• Your birthday off.
• 2 paid volunteering days.
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave – (24 weeks maternity, 3 weeks paternity at 100% pay).
• B Corp certified, we care about people & planet.
• Exclusive holiday discounts for you, friends, and family.
• Wellbeing perks, gym access at HQ, health cash plan.
• Hybrid working & on‑site parking.
• Training & development to keep you growing.

Reasonable Adjustments

We’re at our best when everyone can bring their authentic self to work. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences, recognising the power of diverse perspectives. If you need adjustments during the recruitment process, our team will be happy to help.

If you’re a visionary F&B leader, commercially savvy, and passionate about sustainability and technology, apply now and help us raise the bar for hospitality in the great outdoors!