About London Southend Airport
Our SENsational colleagues are what make our airport thrive. Our goal is to develop each and every one of our colleagues' skillsets by investing heavily in training and development throughout their careers, creating a culture of internal development and progression. A number of our senior leadership team began their career with us in an entry level role, the sky is the limit here at LSA.
As one of the key employers for Southend City we aim to always ensure that our roles are accessible to the community. We are committed to providing equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for our colleagues.
Now is an exciting time as ever to join our airport. As a business, we are constantly growing, resulting in a wealth of roles to choose from, many that you may not have considered before, we're talking, Air Traffic Control, Fuelling, Car Parking, Rail, Security, Ground Maintenance, Firefighters, Cleaning, Technical Services and so much more. There really isn't a better time to join team SENsational ✈
About the role:
Our Food and Beverage department are a key part in providing our passengers with a smooth and positive journey through our airport. We bet you're thinking “so what is it I will actually be doing day to day?” well….
As the General Manager, I'm responsible for the full operational, financial, and customer experience performance of all Food and Beverage outlets across the airport. These currently include cafés, a pub, a premium lounge, and dynamic pop-up bars and eateries, all operating in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.I'm responsible for ensuring that every outlet delivers outstanding service, strong commercial results, and compliance with all regulatory standards—while creating a welcoming experience for every guest.I lead large, diverse teams, driving a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement across all aspects of food and beverage delivery.I will fully embody the Airports ‘One Team' culture and understand that there may be times when I am required to undertake other activities to support the needs of the business. I understand that the Airport is in operation 24/7 so I may be scheduled and expected to work any shift during operating hours, this will include early mornings, late nights, weekends, and bank holidays
Core Activities:
Customer Experience
I champion consistent, high-quality guest experiences across all outlets
I ensure each outlet always delivers its concept and presentation standards
Team Leadership, Development & Training
I lead and support outlet Assistant Managers and their teams to achieve operational and service excellence
I drive colleague engagement, recognition, and retention across the Food and Beverage team
Commercial & Financial Performance
I deliver and manage sales, gross profit, and cost budgets across all locations
I monitor and control key metrics including labour, produce margins, and overall wastage management
Safety, Compliance & Allergen Management
I ensure full compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations, including HACCP (utilising Shield) and local authority standards'
I lead on Rachel's Law compliance; ensuring robust allergen awareness, controls, and customer communication are in place
Stakeholder Engagement & Airport Collaboration
I am the primary contact for airport partners and regulatory bodies
I ensure alignment with airport policies, operational requirements, and shared goals
How I do it:
Customer Experience
I plan and adapt quickly to airport passenger flows and route performance trends to maintain smooth service delivery and optimal revenue
Team Leadership, Development & Training
I deliver structured onboarding and ongoing training, ensuring all management and colleagues are trained, and able to deliver their roles with confidence.
I support succession planning and leadership development across all outlets
Commercial & Financial Performance
I work with the Head of Commercial Optimisation to analyse sales trends, guest feedback, and performance data to identify opportunities and drive profitability
I plan and implement new revenue initiatives, seasonal promotions, and commercial activations
Safety, Compliance & Allergen Management
I will work with Shield to conduct regular safety checks and audits
Ensure all team members are trained and regularly refreshed on safety, hygiene, and allergen procedures
Stakeholder Engagement & Airport Collaboration
I will positively represent the food and beverage operation in meetings and planning sessions, contributing to the long-term success of the Airport overall
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise:
Sounds good so far? You're probably wondering “What skills and experience do I need for this role?” there are just a handful of skills you need in order to undertake this role, everything else we can teach you, if you can answer yes to all of the below requirements you have the required skills:
I have a minimum of 3 years' successful experience in a senior food and beverage management role within a high-volume hospitality environment, with annual turnover exceeding £5 millionI have strong commercial acumen and a track record of performing against sales, cost, and profit targetsI hold current, in-depth knowledge of food safety, licensing laws, allergen legislation (including Rachel's Law), and HACCP principles. Experience working with Sheild safety is preferable.I have proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire large, diverse teams in a fast-paced, customer-facing settingI hold relevant industry qualifications in food safety, hospitality management, or business operations (e.g., Level 3/4 Food Safety, Hospitality Management BTEC/degree, Personal Licence Holder)
If you require any reasonable adjustments regarding these points, please talk to us during the interview process.
Benefits:
Now that you understand the role and possess all the necessary skills, we would like to share more about our outstanding benefits package. We take great pride in these offerings, as they are designed with the wellbeing and job satisfaction of every colleague in mind! Here's a small insight into some of our amazing benefits.
Apprenticeships – we are proud to offer our colleagues the opportunity to gain valuable qualifications from level 3 through to level 7 (Master's Degree Level) all whilst being at work. These courses are fully funded and available in a huge variety of disciplines.Medicash - London Southend Airport fund cover for all airport colleagues. Giving colleagues access to virtual GP & Physio appointments, access to the Skin Vision app, several retail discounts, and with our bespoke healthcare cash plan, you can claim back what you spend on your everyday health expenses.Discounted BUPA dental plan Access to a Wellbeing app containing amazing features such as a mood tracker, live chat or telephone counselling service.Employee Assistance Programme to confidentially support and provide advice and guidance to our colleagues with all health and legal related issues.‘My Gym Discounts' giving up to 25% off memberships with over 3,800 gyms throughout the UK.Mental Health First Aiders - We are extremely proud to have qualified and experienced mental health first aiders working fulltime at London Southend Airport who are on hand to provide colleagues with support. Cycle to Work Scheme giving a saving of up to 21-39%RRP on bikes and accessories Costco Membership scheme. World Duty Free Discount.Arriva buses discounts.
Sound good? Hit that apply button, we can't wait to hear from you!
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