Food & Beverage Manager
Location: Whittlebury Park, Northamptonshire
Salary: Competitive
Hours: Full-time, 45 hours per week (including evenings, weekends, and holiday periods)
Who We Are
A fantastic opportunity exists to join a family-owned, independent business where our people are the foundation of our success. Many of our team members have been with us since we first opened our doors — a testament to our supportive and inclusive culture.
At Whittlebury Park, we believe in continuous improvement and delivering exceptional experiences to our guests. To achieve this, we need a passionate and motivated team who share our values. We're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and encouraged to grow.
Set within hundreds of acres of ancient parkland, Whittlebury Park is home to a 254-bedroom four-star hotel, award-winning conference and training facilities, a luxurious spa, championship golf course, and a 3 AA Rosette fine dining restaurant.
What You Will Do
Operational & Service Excellence
* You will oversee the smooth and efficient running of all food and beverage outlets, including our event spaces, leisure club, bars, restaurants, and our 3 AA Rosette fine dining restaurant, Murray's.
* You will lead the delivery of a warm, professional, and high-quality food, drink, and event service, ensuring all areas are spotless, well-presented, and guest-focused.
* You will coordinate staff during peak times, lead by example, and ensure all client and function requirements are met or exceeded.
* You will maintain service excellence through regular quality checks, staff training, performance reviews, and clear communication of targets and feedback.
Team Leadership & Development
* You will foster a positive team environment that promotes morale, pride, and continuous improvement.
* You will deliver regular briefings, training sessions, and one-to-one coaching to support professional development and effective communication.
* You will manage recruitment, inductions, and ongoing training, ensuring your team is motivated, well-trained, and consistently delivering excellent service.
Commercial Strategy & Financial Oversight
* You will work with senior stakeholders to develop and implement a departmental sales and marketing plan aligned with budgeted revenue targets and forecasts.
* You will identify and lead new revenue initiatives, review pricing and supplier costs, and monitor competitor activity to maintain a competitive edge.
* You will maximise up-selling opportunities across all outlets and introduce team incentives where appropriate.
* You will ensure daily revenue is accurately captured, expenses are kept within budget, and purchasing procedures are followed.
Compliance & Standards
* You will liaise with the Financial Controller to ensure timely stock takes and maintain secure, budget-conscious stock levels.
* You will ensure the team is fully trained and compliant with all relevant health and safety regulations, including fire procedures, statutory training, and online modules such as licensing and COSHH.
* You will carry out any additional duties as required by management and operate flexibly around the needs of the business.
As the Ideal Candidate
You will be an experienced and energetic Food & Beverage Manager with a strong background in 4–5 star hospitality environments, ideally overseeing operations in a property with 140+ bedrooms and a turnover of approximately £10 million or more. You'll bring at least five years' experience in senior roles, managing large teams of 40+ staff, and hold relevant qualifications such as a BIIAB Level 2 Personal Licence and Food Hygiene certification.
You'll demonstrate strong leadership and team management skills, with a proven ability to drive profitability, lead by example, and inspire high performance. Your attention to detail, adaptability, and initiative will support excellent customer service and operational standards. You'll also be commercially minded, with creative sales ability, effective financial oversight, and a collaborative approach to cross-departmental communication.
What We Offer
At Whittlebury Park, we believe in rewarding our dedicated staff with a fantastic range of benefits. When you join our team, you can look forward to:
* Free Golf & Leisure Membership
Complimentary access to our Leisure Club (min. 40 hours/month) and Golf membership (min. 60 hours/month)
* 28 Days Holiday
Inclusive of bank holidays, increasing after 3 years of service
* Death in Service Benefit
4x your annual salary
* Free Staff Meals
Enjoy a delicious meal while on duty
* Healthcare Cashback
Reclaim costs on essential healthcare expenses
* Westfield Rewards Access
Discounts across multiple external brands
* Employee Recognition
Including Employee of the Month and Welcome to Work days
Exclusive Discounts:
* Up to 50% off food and drink, including our Sunday carvery
* Discounts on spa products and treatments
* Reduced rates on hotel stays
Join Us
Whether we're welcoming corporate groups, hosting weddings, or offering guests a peaceful escape, our mission is always to make someone's day. If you're ready to be part of a busy, professional, and high-performing team, we'd love to hear from you
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
* Bereavement leave
* Canteen
* Company events
* Discounted or free food
* Employee discount
* Free fitness classes
* Free parking
* Gym membership
* Health & wellbeing programme
* On-site gym
* On-site parking
* Referral programme
Application question(s):
* Do you have at least five years' experience in a senior food and beverage management role within a 4 or 5-star hospitality environment?
* Have you previously managed food and beverage operations in a property with 140 or more bedrooms?
* Have you overseen teams of 40 or more staff in a hospitality setting?
* Do you currently hold a BIIAB Level 2 Personal Licence?
* Do you hold a valid Food Hygiene certification?
* Have you previously been responsible for managing a food and beverage operation with an annual turnover of £10 million or more?
* Can you provide examples of how you've led and developed large teams in a hospitality environment?
* How do you ensure compliance with food safety and licensing regulations in your current or previous roles?
Work authorisation:
* United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person