Front Of House Manager (1649)

The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships. 

These are exciting times for The Donkey Sanctuary and we have an excellent opportunity for a proactive and professional individual with outstanding leadership skills and a strong customer service ethic to join the team at our award winning restaurant, The Kitchen. As Front of House Manager, you will make a visit to our restaurant memorable and enjoyable, exceeding all visitors' expectations. With a passion for excellent service and food, you will be able to translate The Donkey Sanctuary’s core values into a successfully operating, team-focused restaurant where excellent and compassionate food quality and service  is delivered to a consistently high standard.

About you:

• Proven management experience within a catering environment as a Front of House Manager or similar role.
• Holds current and valid Intermediate (minimum) Food Hygiene qualification.
• Excellent understanding of all kitchen departments.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Previous experience of hosting for functions;
• Proven management abilities, including recruiting, training and performance management.
• Demonstrable ability to make good decisions under pressure and deliver on deadlines.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Ensuring excellent customer service is delivered by you and your team, inspiring the Front of House team to ensure that service exceeds customer’s expectations at all times.
• Working with the Head Chef to ensure food quality embraces higher welfare standards and all food hygiene procedures are maintained in accordance with the food standards agency.
• Planning and assisting with events and functions, in conjunction with the Head Chef.
• Empowering the Front of House team and helping build future succession by developing, coaching and mentoring individual members.
• Working with Marketing Communications colleagues to promote the restaurant to visitors and locals to create a destination restaurant.
• Accountability for health & safety and hygiene matters within the Front of House element of the Restaurant.
• Ensuring standards of cleaning are consistently excellent and that opening and closing procedures are followed, ensuring all cash handling procedures are monitored and followed.

What we offer in return:

Based in Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – this is a full-time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 37.5 hours per week. The working pattern will be agreed between the line manager and post-holder, but flexibility will be required for weekend working as part of the team rota and very occasional evening attendance. This role does not include split-shifts.

Benefits:  

Competitive pension.

Life Assurance.

31 Days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.

Wellbeing Team.

Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.

Long Service Awards.

Healthshield Plan –

• Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
• Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
• Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.

Free parking.

Subsidised restaurant and shop.

Closing date for completed applications: Tuesday 9 April 2024.

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.