Assistant General Manager (F&B Hospitality)
We’re on a mission to create the best live music experience in the UK.
Co-op Live will offer a food and beverage hospitality service that will put us head and shoulders above the crowd, as we welcome over 23,500 fans and amazing artists to taste the delicious food and drinks unique to the space in Manchester.
With 32 amazing bars and restaurants and 12 premium lounges and clubs – we’re going to be delivering an exceptional hospitality service for the people of Manchester and beyond. On the menu will be great food, seasoned with world class service and all with a planet friendly vibe in the heart of our vibrant community.
Role Purpose
As we gear up to opening our doors in the next 12 months, we’re looking for an Assistant General Manager to join the Food & Beverage Hospitality team, working with the General Manager to deliver a commercial catering offer that’s within budget and to a very high standard. Its key the day to day business for all food and beverage operations at Co-op Live arena runs smoothly ensuring an exceptional service.
This is a two-phase role: the first year will focus on building a dynamic team and mobilising the UK’s most exciting entertainment venue. Once opened, the focus switches to leading day-to-day operations and offering the most amazing customer service to our guests.
So if you are an experienced, positive, and passionate leader who has created incredible hospitality and events who would love to be part of something unique, then we want to hear from you!
Role Responsibilities
- Assist the General Manager to build and lead a team of talented hospitality professionals across food and beverage operations
- Assist with planning and delivery of recruitment for food and beverage teams
- Develop and train team members, ensuring all staff are trained to deliver exceptional service and operational standards
- Works to continually improve guest and employee satisfaction, while maintaining the operating budget
- Understanding of actual/forecasting operating costs within budget etc as required
- Work with the GM assisting with project planning for pre-opening of the venue and any staff management
- Take a leading role using operational skills to help drive business forward as well as deliver an exceptional fan experience
- Proactive planning of all live events and efficient team management to ensure a seamless, well executed operation
- Support the GM to oversee the commercial catering offer for all live events for the venue and day to day operations
- Ensure efficient operational management of all food and beverage units and lounges
- Ensure the highest quality delivery of food and beverage services and customer service as per company standards, compliance, and fans expectations
- Knowledge of and understanding of Safety Standards and ensures implementation
- Managing the F&B operation in the absence of the General Manager
- Analysing revenue, operating costs and budgets and reducing costs where possible
- Attending any management meetings as required and discussing financial and business performance etc
- Estimates stock needs/resources on a weekly basis and communicates needs to relevant staff members
- Develop and implement environmentally friendly processes and procedures, energy use and waste management
- Review and adjust systems and procedures where applicable to ensure their effectiveness
- Ensures all relevant operational deadlines are met, e.g for live event days, or day to day functions
- Uses interpersonal and communication skills to lead, influence, and encourage others; advocates sound financial/business decision making; demonstrates honesty/integrity; leads by example
- Deliver experiences which blow our competition out of the water and last long in the memory of our fans
- Build successful relationships with all relevant venue heads of departments across Co-op Live and OVG Hospitality
- Ensure Co-op Live is a destination of choice for exclusive hires, conferences, and private events
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in a 5-star stadium or events arena
- Previous experience delivering volume events
- Possess thorough working knowledge of all applicable sanitation requirements, food preparation guidelines, alcohol service policies, safety standards, etc. pertaining to OVG Hospitality and venue concession and premium services operations.
- Basic Food Hygiene qualification with Allergen Awareness training
- COSHH Awareness training
- Excellent communication with employees, co-workers, volunteers, management staff and guests in a clear, professional, and courteous manner which fosters a positive, enthusiastic, and cooperative work environment
- Able to make sound business/operations decisions quickly and under pressure
- Able to understand English both verbally and written and have basic Math skills
- Solid working knowledge of computer applications: Microsoft office, POS systems, timekeeping systems
- Experience of working in a team-oriented, fast-paced, event-driven environment
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Previous experience of managing a team, building and developing a team and culture which is focused on delivering the very highest standards of customer service within a similar environment
- Experience in planning and mobilising F&B operations for a large venue
- Possess a high level of organisational and project management skills with a positive approach to work
- A drive to exceed revenue budgets, maintain costs and meet targets
- Continuously look for ways to improve, analyse feedback and use it to make operational decisions which improve fan experience
- Ability to consistently adhere to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality
- The role will be a key managerial role for all concerts, sporting events and private hires
Desirable
- Knowledge of Manchester’s culture, people and F&B scene
Our Inclusion Commitments
Our venue is for the fans, the artists, everyone! Attracting a diverse workforce which reflects our local community is what will make our venue the best music venue in the UK!
Our venue is for the fans, the artists, everyone! Attracting a diverse workforce which reflects our local community is what will make our venue the best music venue in the UK!
We understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence.
We are committed to creating a great place to work amplifying voices from all different backgrounds. There is something for everyone at Co-op Live, come and get involved.
