GENERAL MANAGER – GOODIES FOODHALL
Location: Pulham Market, near Diss, Norfolk
Salary: £58,000-£62,000 per year, plus performance-related bonus
Job type: Full-time, permanent
Schedule: Five days per week, including regular weekends
ABOUT GOODIES
Goodies Foodhall is an established, family-owned farm shop and restaurant based in the heart of the South Norfolk countryside.
As an independent family business, we are proud of the friendly, personal and welcoming environment we have created for both our customers and our team. Supporting local and British producers is at the heart of what we do, and we are passionate about quality food, excellent service and building lasting relationships with our customers, suppliers and local community.
Our business includes a large foodhall, 120-cover restaurant, butchery, bakery, deli and ready-meals department.
We are looking for an experienced and commercially focused General Manager to take full responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and performance of the business.
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a genuine senior management position—not simply a restaurant or retail management role.
It is an exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to have a real influence on the future of an established independent business. Working directly with the family directors, you will be encouraged to bring forward ideas, improve how the business operates and make a visible impact on its performance and development.
The successful candidate will lead our department managers, establish clear accountability and ensure agreed actions are completed without requiring constant involvement from the directors.
You will have the authority and responsibility to run the day-to-day business, allowing the directors to concentrate on strategic growth, developing the wider farm site and creating new revenue opportunities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Take full responsibility for the day-to-day operation of Goodies Foodhall
- Lead, manage and hold all department managers accountable
- Set clear weekly targets, actions and deadlines
- Ensure managers consistently deliver agreed standards and results
- Improve sales, average transaction value and overall profitability
- Monitor sales, gross margins, wages, waste and departmental performance
- Use EPOS reports and management information to identify opportunities and underperformance
- Control labour costs, rotas, productivity and staffing levels
- Maintain consistently high standards of customer service, cleanliness and presentation
- Protect and develop the friendly, personal culture of the family business
- Improve communication and cooperation between departments
- Lead recruitment, induction, training, performance management and staff development
- Oversee pricing, promotions, merchandising and seasonal trading activity
- Bring forward new ideas and identify opportunities to improve and grow the business
- Provide the directors with a clear weekly report covering performance, issues and agreed actions
- Resolve everyday operational and staffing problems independently
- Support the directors in delivering the longer-term strategy for the business
- Take overall responsibility for health and safety across the site
- Ensure suitable risk assessments are completed, regularly reviewed and kept up to date
- Ensure fire-safety procedures, accident reporting, staff training and emergency arrangements are properly maintained
- Ensure the business complies with food hygiene, health and safety, employment requirements, licensing conditions and all relevant company procedures
- Work with department managers to ensure all required checks, records and compliance documentation are completed accurately and on time
ABOUT YOU
We are looking for an established senior manager who:
- Has successfully managed managers—not just frontline employees
- Has experience running a substantial food retail, hospitality or multi-department operation
- Is commercially strong and confident managing a profit and loss account
- Understands sales, gross margins, wage percentages, budgets and profitability
- Has a proven record of improving financial and operational performance
- Can set clear expectations and confidently address underperformance
- Is decisive, organised and comfortable making difficult decisions
- Is a visible, hands-on leader who maintains high standards
- Uses data and management information to make informed decisions
- Can identify problems, take ownership and implement solutions
- Understands the importance of health and safety, risk assessments and regulatory compliance
- Communicates clearly and provides concise, accurate reporting
- Values the personal approach and close working relationships of a family-owned business
- Has the confidence and enthusiasm to contribute ideas and influence the future direction of the business
- Has a genuine interest in quality food, local produce and excellent customer service
- Is available to work regular weekends and important seasonal trading periods
Experience within a leading food retailer, farm shop, foodhall, garden centre, department store or large hospitality business would be particularly valuable.
Pay: £58,000.00-£62,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
