Food & Beverage Assistant Manager

Food & Beverage Events Assistant Manager

We have an exciting opportunity to join our growing team at The Square, set within the UK’s number 1 zoo. As part of the Food and Beverage team, the Assistant Manager will be responsible for the daily management of the events team in this unique event space, ensuring an outstanding experience for every guest.

As an Assistant Manager at The Square, our stunning wedding and event space set in the heart of Chester Zoo, you’ll be responsible for the day‑to‑day running of the front‑of‑house operations. You’ll work closely with our Head Chef and wider food and beverage team to deliver exceptional service, maintain high standards, and ensure our guests have a memorable experience every time they visit.

• Oversee the daily management of The Square, ensuring smooth service and an exceptional guest experience at all times.
• Lead, motivate, and develop the events team, supporting recruitment, training, and performance management to uphold service excellence.
• Manage all food and beverage systems, including EPOS, stock control, cash handling, and health and safety compliance.
• Utilise sales and performance data to inform decisions, set clear goals for the team, and react quickly to trading trends to drive results.
• Maximise revenue and profitability by monitoring payroll and spend, encouraging upselling, and minimising waste and shrinkage.
• Ensure all team members adhere to policies and procedures, including food safety standards, health and safety legislation, and licensing laws.
• Support the delivery of occasional events held within The Oakfield, ensuring they are integrated seamlessly with regular pub operations.

You’ll be working a variety of shifts, including days and evenings for events such as weddings and corporate functions. Contract hours are 40 hours per week, 5 days out of 7 on a rota basis including weekends and bank holidays.

• Permanent contract
• £30,750 per annum based on 40 hours per week
• 33 days annual leave
• Annual holiday buy/sell scheme
• Staff pass to visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9 %

• Experience operating in a high‑volume business at a management level.
• Exceptional guest service skills within a guest‑focused environment.
• Experienced people manager capable of leading and inspiring a team across a range of disciplines.
• Aware of current food & beverage and event trends with the ability to benchmark against competitors and present improvement ideas.
• In‑depth knowledge and experience of Health & Hygiene Safety legislation processes.
• Good practical knowledge of budgets, forecasting and setting targets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication ability to liaise with people at all levels.
• Computer literate with working knowledge of Excel and other Microsoft products.
• Knowledge of balancing guest requirements and service capabilities with the need to return a profit.
• Knowledge of effective performance monitoring systems.

• Experience of food & beverage in a leisure or visitor attraction environment.
• Experience of delivering events.
• Relevant vocational qualification in food & beverage.