Head Of Retail And Beverage- Edgbaston

City, Birmingham
Chartwells Independent
Head Of Retail And Beverage – Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham Full-Time / Permanent Up to £45000+ excellent benefits including healthcare, wellbeing support, 23 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance, meals on duty, and more.

We’re looking for As the Head of Retail and Beverage at Edgbaston Cricket Stadium, you will be pivotal in orchestrating the seamless delivery of top-tier catering services to patrons, in collaboration with Levy UK & I. Your role encompasses meticulous planning, execution, and supervision of all public GA catering operations, guaranteeing alignment with organisational benchmarks and exceeding client anticipations. Your core responsibilities revolve around optimising operational processes, adeptly leading staff, fostering unparalleled customer experiences, safeguarding financial soundness of a £3.2m revenue, and upholding regulatory compliance standards.

We are Levy Levy is about elevating experiences. We are a leading global hospitality partner, designing and delivering unforgettable guest moments that prioritise people and the planet.

Trusted by some of the world’s most iconic stadiums, entertainment venues, and major events, from Wimbledon and Twickenham to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Edgbaston, the SEC and ExCeL London we bring experiences to life with passion and precision.

Our mission is to succeed the right way. From pioneering tech and seamless operations to show stopping menus and exceptional service, we use insight and innovation to understand guests, improve the customer journey, reduce environmental impact, and support local communities.

We are a passionate, diverse team of venue specialists dedicated to making the planet better for future generations.

Head Of Retail And Beverage – The Role Operational Excellence:

• Line manage the retail and cellar team, setting performance expectations and driving accountability.
• Provide first class non-match day and match day retail, bar, third party concessions operations
• To champion HSE within the unit and lead by example, ensuring compliance with all regulations and statutory and legal requirements, including in respect of health and safety matters
• Setting quality and operational standards
• Establish excellent relationships with clients, contractors and other departments
• Management and development of relevant personnel, providing inspiration and leadership to deliver exceptional service
• Review performance and optimise sales and profitability to ensure delivery of departmental financial targets, as driven by a ‘smart’ approach to maximising the customer experience in terms of queue times, use and application of technology and the provision of enticing marketing offers
• Demonstrate full alignment with the Levy and client vision and values by consistently doing the right things and celebrating successes
• Optimise staffing levels at events to ensure that we meet the highest levels of customer service and maximise profitability
• Liaison with 3rd party suppliers and contractors to underpin effective service delivery and product quality
• Continually aware of the customer journey, pressure points and opportunities to observe, capture and act on client and customer feedback continually
• Review wastage with the culinary team and cellar team, look at opportunities to control, educate and reduce to support overall GP% targets
• To be aware and adhere with statutory, legal and Company policy requirements for;Health and Safety,Food Hygiene,Licensing Laws,Employment Law,Fire Regulations,Sales of good/Trade Description,Personnel/HR procedures.
• Ensure all operational areas are risk assessed, compliant, and operating to Compass/Levy policy.
• Own the operational planning cycle, including capacity modelling, queue flow planning, technology optimisation, and delivery coordination with Logistics, Cellar, and Culinary teams.
• Collaborate cross departmentally to deliver innovation, efficiencies, and continuous improvement.

Staff Management and Learning and Development:

• Serve as the site lead for stock integrity across all Retail & Beverage operations.
• Implement stock protection strategies aligned to Compass profit protection standards.
• Working with the Cellar Manager and the Logistics Manager to oversee the smooth running of the department
• To ensure that all new team members are inducted, trained, and developed to ensure that the highest levels of efficiency within the operation and customer service are always employed.
• To engender good staff, customer, and client relations always
• To ensure that all staff are trained promptly in all areas of food hygiene and health and safety, ensuring that training record cards are duly signed.
• To identify employees with potential for development and promotions within the operation, ensuring the correct development and training opportunities are given.
• To be engaged in and an active supporter in your team’s learning and development plans
• To regularly provide feedback suitable to each team member’s learning style to your direct reports to ensure their continued growth within the company.
• Foster a culture of high performance, teamwork and inclusion – in line with the Levy and Edgbaston Values.
• Address underperformance promptly using a structured and fair performance framework

Quality Control and Customer Service:

• Monitor food and beverage quality throughout the catering process, addressing any issues promptly to maintain high standards of taste, presentation, and hygiene.
• Monitor food safety throughout the service operation and set up, ensuring all HACCP processes within your control are adhered to with any risk mitigated where necessary.
• Interact with customers to understand their needs and preferences, ensuring a personalised and memorable dining experience.
• Handle customer complaints and inquiries with professionalism and efficiency, resolving issues to their satisfaction and upholding the venue’s reputation.

Financial Management:

• Monitor labour, consumables, and operating costs, ensuring delivery against financial targets.To thoroughly investigate and feedback to the General Manager on any variances found and put an operational plan in place to mitigate them.
• Analyse stock performance, waste, yield, and margin to drive GP% improvements.To suggest to the General Manager developments in the operation that may improve the profitability, where agreed, implement, and monitor these changes once approved.
• To ensure that all purchasing is done through approved Compass suppliers.
• To ensure that all stock on-site within your area of responsibility is always kept safe in line with the profit protection policy.
• To ensure that all financial administration within your area of responsibility is completed on a timely basis.
• Influence and contribute to the pricing strategy to maximise revenue and value perception.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Lead all compliance activity for Retail & Beverage, ensuring full adherence to health & safety, food safety, licensing, trade descriptions, and employment law.An understanding of the site’s alcohol license
• Conduct scheduled and ad hoc safety walks, documenting actions and driving resolution.Ensure compliance with relevant food safety, licensing, and regulatory requirements, maintaining accurate records and documentation as needed.
• Hold accountability for alcohol licensing compliance, including staff training, Challenge 25, refusal logs, and responsible service.
• Ensure business continuity plans and contingency procedures are tested and understood by your team.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices in catering operations, incorporating innovations and improvements to enhance efficiency and quality.

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience in a high volume catering environment, in a high-volume venue or event environment.
• Demonstrable leadership of large teams, including managers and supervisors.
• Proven expertise in stock control, financial governance and operational risk management.
• Advanced understanding of POS, stock system and digital stock management tools.
• Strong understanding of licensing law, food hygiene legislation and H&S compliance.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by event schedules.

What you’ll get in return

• Competitive salary with bonus and full company benefits
• 23 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, your birthday off, and a holiday purchase scheme
• Healthcare & wellbeing: Aviva Digicare, Medicash (dental, optical, therapy treatments)
• Mental health support: 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Family benefits:
  • 2 days? additional leave after returning from maternity leave
  • Day off for your baby’s first birthday
  • Enhanced family leave
• Perks & discounts:
  • Shopping, entertainment, and travel discounts
  • 20% off Nuffield Health and 10% off PureGym memberships
• Financial wellbeing:
  • Pension scheme
  • Life Assurance
  • Preferred rates on salary finance products
• Development opportunities:
  • Professional subscriptions
  • Ongoing training and structured career pathways
• Meals on duty included

Why Join Us? Levy UK & Ireland is part of Compass Group, the world’s largest catering company, and a vibrant leader in hospitality click apply for full job details