Senior Operations Manager - Park Cafés (Daytime Hospitality)
Location: Poole Park - Salary: £34,000 - £40,000 (DOE)
Hours: Full-time, daytime trading (weekends & school holidays essential)
About the role
We are looking for an experienced Senior Operations Manager to take the lead across our busy park cafés, including The Ark Café and The Kitchen on the Lake, Poole Park, as we head into our peak trading season.
This is a hands-on, operational leadership role.
You will be the senior presence on the ground, responsible for running smooth, well-organised services, supporting teams, maintaining standards and ensuring the day-to-day operation runs calmly and consistently, particularly during busy weekends and school holidays.
You will work closely with the business owner and existing supervisors, taking real ownership of operations and relieving pressure through strong leadership, clear communication and attention to detail.
Key responsibilities
* Lead day-to-day operations across park café sites
* Be a visible, hands-on leader during service, stepping in where needed
* Support, guide and develop supervisors and team members
* Maintain high standards of food safety, health & safety and hygiene
* Oversee rotas, shift planning and on-the-day operational decisions
* Ensure consistent standards, communication and teamwork across sites
* Support kitchen operations when required (hands-on kitchen experience essential)
* Prepare teams and systems for peak trading periods (Easter, summer, school holidays)
About you
You will be:
* An experienced hospitality operator used to busy, high-volume environments
* A confident, likeable leader who leads clearly without blurred lines
* Comfortable being hands-on, practical and visible on shift
* Detail-focused, organised and proactive
* Calm under pressure and confident making decisions in real time
Essential experience:
* Proven experience managing teams in busy hospitality settings
* Strong, hands-on kitchen experience with the ability to step in and support service
* Experience running shifts, overseeing service and maintaining standards
* Personal Licence Holder, comfortable operating as the senior manager on licensed premises
* Used to working weekends and peak trading periods
Training will be provided in food safety, health & safety, first aid and fire marshal responsibilities, but you must already be confident operating within these frameworks.
Desirable (but not essential):
* Multi-site experience
* Barista knowledge (training can be provided)
Why join us
* Daytime trading hours (no late nights)
* A senior, operational leadership role
* Opportunity to make a visible impact and stabilise a busy business entering peak season
* Supportive owner who values strong, capable management
If you are an experienced hospitality leader looking for a senior, hands-on role in a busy, well-loved, daytime park setting, we'd love to hear from you.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £34,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Discounted or free food
* Free parking
* On-site parking
Work Location: In person