Hospitality and Catering

JOB PURPOSE

This is a fantastic opportunity to work as part of our leadership team at the iconic Glenfinnan Monument and its Visitor Centre, which attracts hundreds of thousands of people from across the globe every year.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day catering operations at our popular Viaduct View and Monument View takeaway cafes. You will deliver our quality standards and performance targets, ensuring we offer customers a fantastic Food & Beverage experience.
You will be an enthusiastic team player who can supervise, coach and motivate your team. You will also be part of a broader duty management team responsible for promoting good communication across the site and a joined-up visitor services provision.
As a charity, every penny we raise goes back into the National Trust for Scotland’s conservation work, caring for this special place. You will lead by example to produce an enticing Food & Beverage menu, to recommend and upsell our range, and to promote complementary income-streams like retail, memberships and donations. You’ll help answer visitors’ questions about things to do here and share your enthusiasm for Glenfinnan’s stories, the work we do and what their money is funding.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Catering operation
• Lead with menu development and the preparation, cooking and presentation of a high-quality food and drink offer.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, food hygiene, food allergen, licensing and environmental health standards, completing all related record-keeping.
• Accountable for cost-effective stock management, ordering, storage and wastage control.
Visitor experience
• Offer excellent customer service and ensure all members of the catering team do the same.
• Support property-wide targets for completion of visitor surveys to understand more about our visitors.
• Act as one of our duty manager team, responsible for ensuring a safe and smooth visitor operation, opening/closing the visitor centre, addressing issues and emergency procedure and providing relief cover, as required.
People management
• Supervise the activities of a team of permanent and seasonal Visitor Service Assistants (VSAs), achieving excellent staff performance and motivation through effective induction, training, task-setting and coaching on front and back-of-house routines.
• Prepare catering rotas and holiday allocation to meet business needs.
• Work closely with specialist advisory colleagues, i.e. our Trust-wide Catering Development team.

Finance Management
• Share responsibility for achieving an F&B budget of around £400,000 a year.
• Monitor commercial performance and adjust activities to capitalize on sales opportunities and run a cost-effective catering operation.
• Supervise daily café till operations and perform end-of-day income reconciliation as a duty manager.
• Assist the F&B Manager with menu costing and stock-taking.

Performance indicators and targets

• Weekly, monthly and annual sales and cost of sales targets
• Food compliance standards and record-keeping
• Visitor enjoyment reviews and ratings from visitor surveys and visitor feedback
• Staff satisfaction from staff surveys

Tools / equipment / systems

• Access to laptop and relevant online people management, training, financial monitoring and stock ordering systems, including NTS intranet and Microsoft 365.
• EPOS tills and chip and pin machines.
• Fully equipped commercial catering kitchens.

JOB PURPOSE

To assist the Head Chef and Food & Beverage Manager in the day-to-day management of the food and beverage experience at Newhailes. Specifically, day to day supervision of the kitchen and to ensure that all targets are met, and all visitors receive the highest level of visitor experience standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Assist the Head chef with the development of the Menu Cycle/Specification
• Contribute to food production as per the Menu Cycle/Specification and event Food Production (corporate, hospitality, meetings etc.)
• Keeping up to date HACCP, COSHH checklists and temperature sheets.
• Ensure high Standards of Kitchen Hygiene, Cleanliness, Tidiness and related Schedules
• Use fresh Produce and Ingredients whenever and wherever is possible and minimise wastage.
• Maintain a high standard of Food Presentation to the Customer
• Share in the common responsibility of implementing the Trust’s “Health & Safety Policy”, being mindful at all times of the health and safety of self, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
• Share in the common responsibility of working in a manner mindful of the Trust’s obligations to minimise impact on the environment, through e.g. efficient use of water/heat/light, recycling and the disposal of waste, considered use of transport
• Help to reduce occurrences where Health or Safety of yourself and other employees may be put in jeopardy
• Adherence to the COSHH Training provided and control of substances covered by COSHH
• Involvement in the upkeep and maintenance of both the entire department site and, specifically, the Catering Outlets
• Involvement in assessing and preserving the safety of utensils and equipment used within the Catering Outlets

Job Title: Catering Manager

Location: Abbotsford, Melrose

Reporting to: Commercial Manager

Status: 35 hours per week – 5 days over 7 days (40 hours working is anticipated most weeks to meet the needs of the business). The post holder will be expected to work flexibly within the opening hours of the operation which includes weekend working and occasional evening work.

Salary: £16.15/hour (pro rata f/t £29,391 – £33,592) Grade 5, spine point 13

Employee Benefits 

• Pension contributions matched up to 4% of salary. 

• Free parking – enjoy free family walks any time at Abbotsford. 

• Staff discounts in our shop, café, and public events.

Context
Abbotsford was designed and built by Sir Walter Scott as both his home and the location for his extensive collection of books and historical memorabilia, and was first opened to the public in 1833, five months after his death. After the death of his last descendent in residence, Dame Jean Maxwell-Scott, in 2004, The Abbotsford Trust was created to preserve, protect, and promote not only the house, but also the life and works of Sir Walter. Abbotsford is considered to be one of the most important heritage sites in Scotland.

The Visitor Centre welcomes some 94,000 people through its doors every year, the majority of whom will come to the café during their visit. Open 10am to 5pm in high season, and 10am to 4pm in low season, Ochiltree’s Café and its outdoor Horsebox serve tourists, coach groups, local residents and dog walkers of all ages year-round. The café at Abbotsford came in-house in 2023, having previously been contracted out to a management company. Catering services for private events and the 5 star luxury self catering Hope Scott Wing is provided by external caterers, who on occasion may require limited use of kitchen facilities.

Job Purpose
• Responsible for achieving the commercial and service objectives for catering at Abbotsford
• Responsible for achieving financial targets monitored via key performance indicators including total sales, gross profit on sales, and full cost management in all areas
• The management of all functions of the café catering operation at Abbotsford including management of staff, resources, business development, customer satisfaction and quality standards

Scope and Accountability
The Catering Manager reports directly to the Commercial Manager and is responsible for achieving the objectives of the catering plan. They are responsible for the following resources:
• Annual turnover in the region of £400,000 with a target profit to be agreed annually
• All purchasing and staff costs
• All catering staff; kitchens and front of house
• All catering health and safety, and food hygiene requirements

Key Responsibilities

 Lead on overall food strategy for the operation; menu development and innovation in all food offers with the support of the Kitchen Lead and the Commercial Manager

 Ensure seasonality in menus and a variety of choice for the range of customers at Ochiltree’s

 Develop and monitor supply chain to ensure excellent quality and consistency of products, following best practice and systems in purchasing

 Monitor food cost, control food waste and manage discrepancies in gross profit achievement

 Support the kitchen to ensure all food is presented for service in a timely manner

 Ensure staff are briefed about menus, allergens, and other relevant information

 Develop menus as required for private hires, events, and any other F&B requirements

 Ensure that services are delivered with a customer focused ethos

 Support kitchen team to develop cost controls and standard recipes

People Management – Responsibilities

 Develop training and development plan for catering staff and monitor delivery and completion of individual training plans

 Build and maintain good working relationships with colleagues within the wider organisation

 Creates a working atmosphere which motivates and encourages all members of staff to perform to the best of their abilities

Systems and Processes – Responsibilities

 Set, work to, and be able to evaluate budgets for sales performance, monitoring turnover and costs and responding quickly to variances in performance, implementing corrective action where necessary

 Manage the day-to-day administration of the operation ensuring systems compliance; development of Standard Operating Procedures to support this

 Lead on food safety with the support of the Kitchen Lead in line with current legislation; ensure completion of daily and other due diligence requirements

 Oversee catering Health and Safety requirements, in accordance with risk assessments and in line with current legislation

 Oversee kitchen and front of house maintenance requirements

 Ensure daily and weekly cleaning duties are undertaken and due diligence paperwork completed

 Responsible for the control of stock rotation and wastage

 Ensure regular review of supply chain and prices into unit

 Comply with, and ensure compliance with, all Abbotsford policies and procedures

 Ensure services meet Health and Safety standards established by Abbotsford

Other Responsibilities

 Contribute to the wider Abbotsford marketing strategy and development of marketing initiatives including a catering-specific marketing plan and associated collateral

 Monitoring the effectiveness of catering marketing activity and responding accordingly, demonstrating a full understanding of the customer base

 This job description is indicative of the nature and level of responsibility associated with the job. It is not exhaustive and there may be a requirement to undertake such other duties as may be required to meet the needs of Abbotsford

 
Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential
 Food safety qualification level 3 (intermediate)

 Management experience in a customer focussed hospitality/cafe environment (at least 2 years)

 Experience of managing operational catering functions of quality, process, ordering, stock-control etc

 Experience in menu planning and design

 Experience of managing budgets and financial procedures

 Experience of staff management including appraisals, training, and development
Desirable
 Formal management/catering qualification

 Formal training to assist in delivery of staff training e.g., “Train the Trainer”

 Experience in mobilising a new hospitality business

Skills and Abilities

Essential

 Ability to motivate others and to manage conflict effectively

 Ability to respond positively to a pressurised environment and adopt a positive approach to problem solving; making contingency plans as needed

 Excellent written and verbal communication skills including reporting skills

 IT skills including Excel and Word

Personal Qualities

 Commitment to the Abbotsford Trust’s mission, vision and values

 Commitment to Equality and Diversity and understanding of how they may apply within own role and customer relations

 Ability to work weekends, bank holidays and occasional evenings as required

A rare opportunity has arisen to join our dedicated team and we are seeking to appoint an exceptional Senior Catering Manager to oversee the delivery of our daily catering provision, maintaining the very highest standards of both food quality and service.
About you
Do you have a passion for innovative menus, an interest in food provenance, and a flair for baking? Then we’d love to hear from you.
Applicants should have a keen interest in food, as well as a good working knowledge of HACCP and food safety with a proven track record as Head/Lead Chef or Chef Manager. Previous experience in a similar role is essential as are strong leadership skills. Business acumen and financial management with good IT skills together with the ability to organise and prioritise a busy workload is necessary.
You will have a ‘can do’ attitude and a genuine commitment to quality standards and customer service. You will also be involved in the long-term strategic plans for the business and have the ability to manage an enthusiastic team, including front of house operations. Prior experience as Premises Manager and a certified Personal License Holder is desirable.
What we can offer
We offer sociable working hours and the chance to work in a unique and varied business.
Scone Palace is an iconic venue and 5 star visitor attraction, welcoming over 100,000 visitors a year. Nestled on the banks of the River Tay in beautiful Perthshire, we are renowned for our exceptional food quality and service and pride ourselves in using the very best of produce from our own market garden.
The company provides ongoing training as well as other staff benefits which include:
– Pension Scheme
– 34 days paid holiday
– Staff discounts
Key responsibilities include:
– To oversee the delivery of the daily catering provision within Scone Palace with strong leadership skills, maintaining exceptionally high standards of both food quality and service and ensuring all legal compliance is achieved, and company guidelines are followed whilst meeting company targets and budgets
– Manage a team of catering staff, including hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations
– Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations and maintain high standards of cleanliness and food quality
– Stay updated on industry trends and innovations to continuously improve catering services
Skills & Experience:
– Proven experience as a Catering Manager or similar role in the hospitality industry
– Strong leadership skills with the ability to effectively manage a team
– Excellent organizational and time management skills
– Exceptional customer service skills with the ability to build and maintain client relationships
– Strong attention to detail and ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
– Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and catering software systems
– Knowledge of food safety regulations and best practices
If you are a highly motivated individual with a passion for delivering exceptional catering experiences, we invite you to apply for the position of Senior Catering Manager. We offer competitive compensation and opportunities for career growth.

Additional Job Description
Bartender

Glenkinchie Visitors Centre

Permanent – Full-time

About Us

Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks company with an outstanding collection of brands, such as Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness. Our purpose – Celebrating life, every day, everywhere has a meaningful role in our company, for our people, our diversity, our brands, in how we perform and how we build shared value

This is a chance to be involved in a daring and truly one-of-a-kind team where our aim is to build remarkable and unforgettable experiences across each and every one of our venues across Scotland. Johnnie Walker Princes Street will take visitors on an immersive, multi-sensory journey through the flavours of Scotland, sharing our love for Scotch with a new generation of whisky drinkers. Visitors will lose themselves in the journey whisky-making in our experiences and make purchases from our fantastic retail offerings. We want our guests to embrace every minute with us and feel the same way we do about our heritage. Being part of Diageo means being a torchbearer for our brands and making them even better for the next generation. It’s a career-defining responsibility. If you have a genuine passion for our craft, our character and our products, help us continue the story and build a phenomenal career in the process.

We offer fantastic benefits for joining our bar team. Not only would you receive a competitive salary, but you will be entitled to gratuity, private medical, company shares, great pension programme, discount off hundreds of retailers, gym discounts and much more!

Feel inspired? Then this may be the opportunity for you.

About the Role

As a Bartender you will be passionate about drinks culture and be one of the best mixologists in the business. There will be strong collaboration with Diageo Brand Ambassadors as well as being a great teammate.

You’ll provide an outstanding customer experience by engaging and exciting our visitors with your skill, knowledge and personality, implementing innovation around our overall portfolio with a focus on our brands. Ensuring that every visitor has an unforgettable experience, you will work with a customer first attitude and build specific experiences and drinks tailoring service to meet the needs of the customer.

You will generate advocacy for the brand, by delivering incredible guest experiences in a high-end service environment being able to surprise them with your mixology and skills behind the bar as well as supporting the team with smooth operations.

You will be innovative, creative and want to set trends within the drinks space.

About You

To be successful, you’ll bring creativity and have top bartending experience and an extensive knowledge of spirits, particularly whisky, and cocktails. Working with visitors, staff you’ll have strong interpersonal and communication skills and be passionate about crafting an unforgettable experience for everyone who visits our Visitor Centre.

You’ll have experience crafting innovative cocktail menus in accordance with customer trends, in order to be a true brand ambassador for Diageo and crafting unforgettable experience for our customers.

You will be a great teammate as you will collaboratively work with the operations, retail, experience teams along with our Brand Ambassadors. This will involve strong interpersonal and communication skills to ensure that through teamwork our customers experience unforgettable experiences.

In return, not only do we offer a great reward & benefits package, we’ll also provide you with excellent training and career development opportunities, setting you up for a fantastic career at Diageo.

Celebrating our inclusive and diverse culture is core to Diageo’s purpose of “celebrating life every day everywhere”. This purpose is, in itself, inclusive in nature, as it values everybody irrespective of background, disability, religion, gender identity, sexuality or ethnicity.

We know that for our business to thrive and for Diageo to realize its ambition, we depend on having diverse talent with a range of backgrounds, skills and capabilities in each of the 180 countries in which we operate and to reflect our broad consumer base. We view diversity as one of the key enablers that helps our business to grow and our values, purpose and standards set the conditions for us to respect the outstanding contribution each person brings.

Flexibility is key to success in our business and many of our staff work flexibly in many different ways, including part-time, compressed hours, flexible location. Please talk to us about what flexibility means to you and don’t let anything stop you from applying.

Create a future worth celebrating with us!