Cockfield Farm is a family centric visitor attraction that welcomes around 85,000 guests each year. Every visitor is welcomed, entertained, and receives the best quality of customer experience in a safe and secure environment. Great people are at the heart of their success and it s an amazing place to work that will bring challenge and satisfaction in equal measure. The farm is always looking for people with high energy and drive to help facilitate future growth plans. Cockfields Farm is currently undergoing a series of significant investments and they are now looking for a General Manager to head up their team, adding value to new products and services along with ensuring a robust return on investment. As General Manager you will be responsible for ensuring the overall success of the farm park by overseeing all aspects of its operations, staff management, financial performance, and visitor satisfaction. You ll provide strategic leadership and direction to all farm park departments, including animal care, events, food and beverage, maintenance, and guest services. The General Manager will have an amazing opportunity to achieve growth plans, hit commercial targets and develop their internal teams as the farm continues to scale.
General Manager Responsibilities
- Responsible for the development of best-in-class experiences and events on the Farm Park. Proactively encouraging high standards of performance delivery and addressing any issue.
- Strategic planning to ensure the commerciality of the business and the timely execution of all Capital Expenditure.
- Leading and inspiring teams, delivering the highest possible standards of customer care and service, at all stages of a customer s experience. Encouraging the Senior Leadership Team to work closely to identify areas of commercial opportunity and sharing positive results with the team.
- Accountable, for the control of operational budgets, monitoring financial performance and implementing cost-effective measures.
- Drive revenue generation through innovative events and partnerships while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and ethical practices.
- Achieve and exceed budgeted visitor numbers and revenue targets whilst closely monitoring and maintaining cost base in line with budget. Deliver above annual budgeted EBITDA targets.
- Ensure regular forecasting of spends and communicate any potential over spends to the Board of Directors.
- Continually monitors and drives actions to increase spend per head in retail and food & beverage.
- Ensures all Capex projects are rationally justified, delivered on time, on budget and to desired specifications.
- Pursue new revenue earning opportunities to facilitate additional experiences and profit streams.
- Develop and implement operational plans, policies, and procedures to optimise the farm park s efficiency and effectiveness.
- Ensures that the business operates within all relevant legislation ensuring compliance with licensing, hygiene and health and safety legislation/guidelines.
General Manager Required Skills
- First-rate Operator - Accountable for the daily operation of the farm park, ensuring maximum safety, service, and commerciality in all areas.
- A visible and approachable leader with a hands-on approach.
- Excellent Commerciality - A detailed knowledge of financial and customer service KPIs with the ability to positively affect the overall EBITDA of the farm.
- Strong Compliance - Understanding of all areas of relevant legislation to ensure complete compliance. Is knowledgeable in Health & Safety Laws, Licensing, Food Safety and COSHH.
- Project Management skills - Works with Directors to assist with capex planning, delivery of projects and contributes ideas for revenue opportunities and to the pipeline for future investments.
- Flexibility and willingness to work hard and have fun at the same time.
- Degree/college diploma or equivalent in hospitality management or business preferable.
- Experience in a fast-paced Senior Management role in a leisure, retail, hospitality, or F&B customer facing environment is a must.
- An interest in animals and a passion for their welfare
This is a unique opportunity which would provide the incoming General Manager a chance to drive future strategy and take the brand on its exciting next phase of growth. In return for your hard work and commercial achievement there are several benefits including a nondiscretionary bonus and free tickets for family and friends. The role offers the chance to work with a great team of customer centric people in a family feel environment.
Apply now to be considered for this exciting General Manager position.
