Job Purpose:

As the Food and Beverage Supervisor in our Student Union, your role is pivotal in leading the team to ensure smooth front-of-house operations for all food and beverage services on our premises.

Your primary focus will be to supervise venue operations, taking a lead where required and making relevant decisions in the absence of venue management, always maintaining the highest standards of guest experience and food/beverage quality. You will play a critical role in creating a positive and engaging environment for our guests while overseeing the receipt and delivery of beverage and food orders. Excellent customer service skills are essential for excelling in this position.

Responsible to: Venue Duty Manager

Responsible for: Team Leader, and Casual Staff

Department/Service

The Food and Beverage Supervisor is part of the Greenwich Students’ Union Commercial Services. At GSU, we turn over £1.1m through our not-for-profit commercial services that provide services to students, staff, and the local population. We provide students at the University of Greenwich with social spaces to study, make friends and have fun.

Additionally, the profit generated through our varied income portfolio is invested back into the SU support services for students. We are a Living Wage Employer and a large employer of students putting money back in their pockets to support studying and living costs in London and Kent.

Tasks, Duties, and Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise teams within Students’ union outlets, collaborating with other team leaders and Event Team Members as delegated by Duty Managers or the Food and Beverage Venue Manager.
• Coordinate F&B Team Members and F&B Team Leaders, working closely with the venue management team to ensure sufficient staffing for all required activities.
• Ensure F&B Team Members provide exceptional service, practice effective teamwork, and consistently maintain high standards.
• Ensure accurate and detailed information is inputted into EPOS systems to facilitate the work of the Business Support Team.
• Collaborate with the Supervisor, Duty Managers, and F&B Venue Manager to ensure all staff are well-trained and motivated to consistently deliver an excellent guest experience across all venues.
• Collaborate closely with the Entertainments, Technical and other SU teams to ensure the smooth delivery of our diverse entertainment program. Taking a joint lead at events ‘on the night’ to monitor the atmosphere and customer experience, providing solutions and improvements where appropriate.
• Uphold operational procedures and cleanliness/hygiene standards, adhering to practices stipulated by Environmental Health regulations.
• Foster a positive and friendly working environment for the team.
• Strictly always adhere to the conditions of our premises license.
• Reset the venue and outlets to the required standard at the end of each shift in preparation for the next service, these will include bars, diners, cafes, entertainment and technical areas.
• Always ensure an exceptional guest experience in a safe and efficient manner.
• Assist with any other appropriate duties as deemed necessary.

Standards of Service

• Provide professional, friendly, and efficient service to all guests.
• Maintain a clean and well-presented work area throughout shifts.
• Deliver an efficient and effective service, understanding and exceeding customer needs and requirements whenever possible.
• Promote additional sales through professional and courteous up-selling.
• Prepare and serve food and beverage items to a consistently high standard.
• Ensure all products are fully stocked throughout the shift and securely stored at the end of the shift.
• Adhere to strict cash handling procedures and uniform standards, reporting any issues to a manager.
• Enforce the Challenge 25 policy for age verification.
• Clear and clean customer tables, ensuring customer areas are clean at all times, and wash glasses and dishes as required.

Business Development and Efficiency

• Liaise and meet regularly with the Commercial Marketing Coordinator to develop and promote our service offerings to our diverse members.
• Ensure F&B team members are proficient in using EPOS systems to their maximum benefit.
• Assist in attracting new customers while maintaining existing clientele in collaboration with Duty Managers/F&B Venue Managers.
• Tries new and sustainable practices: whenever possible, employee tries to reduce the negative environmental impact of their work – especially their waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Act as the initial point of contact for queries/issues related to F&B outlets.

Stock Management and Reporting

• Effective use of the stock management system, minimising waste, increasing profitability and decreasing environmental impacts whilst training and supporting others to do the same.
• Assist in stock movement by adhering to relevant health & safety procedures.
• Conduct stock rotation to ensure product quality, and relocate stock internally as needed to meet customer demand.
• Assist with stock checks and line checks as directed.
• Ensure all administration related to the department is complete and accurate, including delivery notes, incident and accident reports, accident book, stock sheets, purchasing, timesheets, supplier payment and EPOS systems.
• Undertake the cashing up procedure and fulfil other agreed financial obligations, paying particular attention to the security of cash.

Health, Safety, and Compliance

• Work within operational procedures, licensing, health, and safety policies, safeguarding, hygiene and other regulations pertaining to the operation of the venue, ensuring all staff are trained appropriately.
• Adhere to all GSU policies related to HR, staffing, health and safety, data protection, environment, and any other specific GSU Policy impacting your role or that of the team.
• Act as the Venue Manager in the absence of Line Manager(s), ensuring the maintenance of agreed standards and compliance with legal requirements.

General Responsibilities

• Represent and be an ambassador for GSU.
• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop, or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position.
• Maintain and improve competencies through continuous professional development.
• Abide by organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices.
• Support and promote workplace liberation, diversity, equality, and inclusion of opportunity.
• Treat with confidentiality any personal, private, or sensitive information about individual organisations, clients, staff, and Project data.
• Actively seek better ways to assist GSU in becoming a more sustainable workplace.
• Any other duties commensurate with the accountabilities of the post

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Essential Attributes

• Previous experience as Supervisor or Team Leader with one year experience in high-turnover venues, covering a comprehensive range of events.
• Exceptional customer service and creating a welcoming environment for students.
• Excellent communication skills and a positive attitude while interacting with clients and co-workers.
• Excellent self-motivated problem solver.
• Ability to handle difficult or conflict situations and communicate effectively both orally and in writing at all levels.
• Excellent time management, organisational, and planning skills.
• Demonstrated accountability, responsibility, reliability, and amenability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word, and understanding social media platforms.
• Must be willing to work late nights and weekends as required.

Desirable Attributes

• Health and Safety Level 2, First Aid etc.
• Hospitality, events, and entertainment experience.
• Good experience in managing health & safety and security legislation.
• Technical understanding of lighting, sound, and other production equipment.
• Understanding and knowledge of working within the student sector.

Personal Attributes and Other Requirements

• All Commercial Services staff may be asked to work at other campus outlets on an ad hoc basis to assist with day-to-day operations and events.
• Innovative and forward-thinking approach to continued improvement.
• Able to travel extensively within the Borough and Region.
• Able to work unsociable hours and stay overnight where necessary.
• Work well in a team with a flexible approach to work.
• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities.
• An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.
• Commitment to the values and ethos of the Organisation.

Skills You Will Develop

• Food and Beverage expertise, including bar, restaurant, lounge, and function areas.
• Knowledge of wine and food pairings.
• Cash handling proficiency.
• Planning and organising skills.
• Effective teamwork abilities.
• Cultural, community and environmental awareness.

Training Available

• Formal hospitality qualification (if applicable).
• Specialist training relevant to the role.
• Ongoing in-depth support is available throughout the year from the Venue Managers

Miscellaneous

• The definition and examples of work included above are not exhaustive – they are illustrative and for guidance only. A particular post holder with this job title may not perform all duties detailed in this job description. Conversely, not all the duties performed will be listed on this document.
• It is the practice of GSU Commercial Services to periodically examine employees’ job descriptions and update them to ensure they relate to the job as then being performed. This will be done with the Senior Manager in consultation with the employee.

CONDITIONS:

Contract Casual

Hours Zero hours per week. Expected commitment of 2 to 3 shifts per week minimum.

Salary £11.42ph + Paid holiday on top of your hourly rate of 12.07% per hour

Notice period One Week

Benefits Training opportunity. Personal development opportunities. Building verbal communication skills. Gaining essential knowledge and experience to further your career options. Working as part of a team. Uniform and Meal on duty provided.