Food Service Manager- The Venues Collection – Milton Keynes

Job Description

Food Service Manager- The Venues Collection – Milton Keynes

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Food Service Manager – Kents Hill Park, Milton Keynes | Full-Time / Permanent

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35k + excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.

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We're looking for…

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We're looking for an experienced and passionate Food Service Manager to lead the Restaurant & Bar operation at Kents Hill Park.

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This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll be responsible for delivering consistently high standards of food and beverage service, developing a great team and creating memorable guest experiences, while also supporting the wider operation as a Duty Manager.

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We are The Venues Collection

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The Venues Collection brings together a portfolio of distinctive conference, training, accommodation and event venues across the UK.

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We create memorable experiences for our guests, from residential conferences and corporate meetings to large-scale events and special occasions. Behind every great guest experience is a team of people working together to make sure everything runs smoothly.

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As part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, we have the scale, resources and opportunities of a global hospitality business, while keeping our focus firmly on our people, our customers and the individual character of our venues.

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Food Service Manager – The Role

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Reporting to the Front of House Manager, you'll take ownership of the Restaurant & Bar operation at Kents Hill Park, leading the team to deliver exceptional service while ensuring the department operates safely, efficiently and commercially.

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You'll be responsible for:

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• Leading the day-to-day Restaurant & Bar operation

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• Delivering consistently high standards of food and beverage service throughout the guest journey

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• Recruiting, training, coaching and developing a high-performing team

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• Creating a positive, guest-focused culture and leading by example

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• Managing labour scheduling in line with business demand

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• Holding regular one-to-ones and performance reviews

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• Driving colleague engagement, retention and development

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• Building strong relationships with the kitchen and wider operational teams

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• Maximising revenue through effective upselling and promotional activity

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• Monitoring service levels, staffing requirements and operational performance

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• Managing stock, wastage and beverage gross profit performance

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• Ensuring licensing, food safety and hygiene standards are maintained

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• Handling guest queries and feedback, taking ownership through to resolution

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• Identifying sales opportunities through positive guest interaction

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• Ensuring departmental SOPs are up to date and fully adhered to

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• Managing Profit Protection requirements within the department

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• Ensuring the team understands the venue's facilities, events and services

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• Maintaining effective communication across departments

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• Managing maintenance issues promptly and ensuring these are recorded appropriately

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• Supporting colleague discipline and grievance procedures in line with company policies

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• Taking ownership of Health & Safety and ensuring all relevant legislation and risk assessments are followed.

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Duty Management

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As part of the role, you'll also take responsibility for Duty Management shifts across the property, acting as a key point of contact for guests and operational teams.

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This will include:

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• Leading hotel operations during assigned Duty Manager shifts

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• Acting as the primary escalation point for guest and operational issues

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• Conducting hotel walkarounds and compliance checks

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• Ensuring health, safety, security and brand standards are maintained

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• Responding effectively to emergencies, incidents and guest welfare concerns

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• Supporting communication between operational departments

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• Supporting the Front of House Manager in maintaining exceptional standards across the property.

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What we're looking for

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We're looking for a confident hospitality leader who enjoys being visible, hands-on and close to both their team and their guests.

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You'll ideally have:

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• Experience leading a food and beverage, restaurant or bar operation

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• Strong people leadership and team development skills

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• A genuine passion for delivering excellent guest service

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• Good commercial awareness, including revenue, stock, wastage and cost control

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• The ability to motivate and engage a team in a busy operational environment

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• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

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• A proactive approach to problem solving and guest recovery

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• Good knowledge of food safety, Health & Safety and licensing requirements

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• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities

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• Confidence making decisions and taking ownership of operational issues

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• The ability to work collaboratively across departments

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• A flexible approach and willingness to support the wider operation when required

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• Good IT skills and confidence using departmental systems, with experience of Opera desirable.

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What you'll get in return

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• Competitive salary with bonus and full company benefits

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• 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme

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• Healthcare & wellbeing: Aviva Digicare and Medicash, including dental, optical and therapy treatments

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• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and mental health support

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• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave

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• Additional family-friendly benefits

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• Shopping, entertainment and travel discounts through Perks at Work

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• Up to 55% off cinema tickets

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• 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off PureGym memberships

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• Travel discounts including TUI and Expedia

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• Shopping discounts across high street and online retailers

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• Meals on duty

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• Vodafone discounts

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• Pension scheme and Life Assurance

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• Ongoing training and development

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• Professional subscriptions paid

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• Financial wellbeing support and preferred rates on salary finance products

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• Structured career pathways and opportunities across Compass Group

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Why Join Us?

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Kents Hill Park is part of The Venues Collection, offering conference, meetings, training and residential accommodation in Milton Keynes.

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As Food Service Manager, you'll have the opportunity to play a key role in the guest experience, leading the Restaurant & Bar team while also gaining wider operational exposure through Duty Management. It's a role for someone who enjoys variety, likes being visible on the floor and wants to make a real impact across the venue.

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We believe in celebrating individuality and building inclusive teams where everyone feels they belong. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation, and excellence.

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We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, empowering workplace where everyone can thrive.

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Together, we create unforgettable experiences – and shape the future of hospitality.

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th!

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