Senior Operations Manager - Head Office - Salford

The Company

Hydes is a progressive £30m turnover pub company and brewer. The business has grown significantly in recent years, largely due to an increasing focus on managed houses following the downsizing of brewing operations in 2013. Hydes has received national recognition for the operation of managed houses at the Publican Awards and the Great British Pub Awards. The London Stock Exchange included Hydes in this year’s list of ‘1,000 companies to Inspire Britain’ featuring the fastest growing SMEs across all industries and all regions. This is a great opportunity to join an expanding business in a key position.

The Location

The role is based at the company’s Head Office and brewery in Media City, Salford and is responsible for a number of managed sites across the North West and North Wales with the main concentration being in South Manchester and Cheshire.  

The Role

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the jobholder will have responsibility for 24 managed houses and all aspects of the company’s food offer. It oversees one Operations Manager and the company’s Catering Development Manager, as well as being one of the 8 strong Company Management Team. 

The 24 diverse managed houses have total annual net turnover of £23m. The role involves:

• Direct operational management of 11 managed houses, with annual turnover of £13m (50% food and 10% accommodation).
• Indirect operational management of another 13 managed houses (23% food)

The Senior Operations Manager will be accountable for driving sales and optimising profitability. The role is pivotal to the planning, execution and management of the overall managed house strategy including capital investment and acquisitions.  In summary the responsibilities are to:

• Contribute significantly to the development of the company’s managed house strategy and annual planning process.
• Oversee a process of annual business planning at site level ensuring that a clear plan is established for each pub and executed effectively to achieve the agreed objectives.
• Conduct regular reviews and site visits; liaising with site General Managers to deliver both short and long term operational needs.
• As part of the Operations Team, define product quality and customer experience operating standards. Communicate, implement, train and monitor these standards at all times across all sites to ensure consistency throughout the business.
• Coach and lead General Managers to operate successful sites, employing motivated and involved staff to develop site level initiatives whilst fully complying with centrally agreed processes and procedures.
• Develop effective sales and marketing plans at site level in conjunction with site General Managers and the Marketing Department.
• Work with the General Managers to ensure that the P&L at each site is effectively managed by balancing GP and cost-base objectives against the need for consistently outstanding customer experiences.
• Oversee the development of a variety of menus on an annual cycle ensuring that Hydes’ food offer reflects current trends as well as meeting enduring customer needs, whilst also achieving service speed requirements and GP objectives.
• Work with the company’s HR team to ensure that effective recruitment and development practices are carried out at all levels.
• Liaise with relevant licensing authorities and other official bodies as required.
• Work with the Health and Safety officer to ensure that effective Health & Safety/Food Safety practices are adhered to at all sites at all times.

The Successful Applicant will have..

• Extensive experience of the licensed trade with area/operations management experience across high quality wet and dry managed houses.
• Experience of the casual dining market, with a focus on fresh food.
• Experience of branded and independent environments (ideally).
• An intimate understanding of the mechanics of busy bar and kitchen operations, financial acumen and the ability to quickly identify business opportunities/risks and take appropriate action to exploit/mitigate.
• Overseen significant capital investments from proposal through to opening demonstrating excellent project management skills in the process.
• Strong communication skills, excellent planning and organising abilities and a real passion for pubs. Accomplished leadership skills and a flair for people management are key requirements along with a track record of exceptional results, a desire to drive business and the interpersonal skills to motivate all those around you.
• A good knowledge of IT including EPOS and table management systems.

The Benefits

The position offers a competitive basic salary and excellent benefits package including car, bonus potential to 20% of salary, pension, life assurance and private medical insurance. 

However, we don’t just offer financial reward. At Hydes you will find a passionate and talented team to work alongside, a supportive and rewarding environment, the opportunity to develop cross functional knowledge  and, most importantly, the opportunity to really influence and shape our business.