ABOUT SO FAMOUS:
So Famous is all about big flavours, fresh food, and fast service. We operate as a ghost kitchen, with a strong focus on delivery platforms alongside a rapidly growing collection customer base. Our model is built around speed, consistency, and quality, making sure every order, whether it’s heading out for delivery or being picked up, meets the same high standards.
We’re open late into the night, serving a loyal and growing customer base right through until 4am. A huge part of our business comes from returning customers who come back week after week, especially for collection, because they know exactly what to expect: fresh food, quick service, and good energy every time.
This is a fast-paced environment built on teamwork, high standards, and strong communication. It’s a place where the vibe is high, the standards are higher, and the team works together to deliver food that actually lives up to the hype. The atmosphere is energetic, fun, and team-driven, even during busy late-night services where everyone pulls together to keep things running smoothly.
We take pride in doing the basics properly, staying consistent under pressure, and creating an environment where people enjoy coming to work, develop their skills, and grow with the business as it continues to scale.
This is a hands-on management role and will require flexibility across the full operating week, including regular evening, late-night and weekend shifts. As the business operates until 4am, the General Manager will be expected to work night shifts as part of their normal working pattern.
IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION
A cover letter is strictly required for this position. Please submit your cover letter along with your CV when applying. Applications without a cover letter may not be considered.
JOB SUMMARY
Position Title: General Manager / Kitchen Manager
Reports to: Operations Manager
As a General Manager, you are responsible for the overall performance and daily operations of the store, ensuring excellence across all areas through strong leadership and collaboration with the Operations Manager. You will maintain full oversight of both kitchen and operational performance, ensuring efficient workflows, high-quality products, and outstanding guest experiences.
You will be accountable for building and leading a high-performing, engaged team, maintaining compliance with all legal, safety, and company standards, and delivering strong business results. Success in this role is driven by your ability to lead from the front, optimise operations, control costs, drive performance, and consistently uphold and strengthen the values and reputation of the So Famous brand.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Virtue-Based Leadership
- Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team in line with company values
Recruitment
- Manage recruitment, onboarding, and training to build a strong talent pipeline
Employee Engagement
- Create a positive team culture through regular feedback, coaching, and development
- Conduct team briefings and ensure high engagement across all staff
Guest Experience
- Deliver a guest-first approach in all aspects of the operation
- Drive customer satisfaction, repeat visits, and brand loyalty
- Build strong relationships within the local community
Operational Requirements
- Maintain a safe, secure, and healthy working environment
- Enforce hygiene, health & safety, and brand standards at all times
Shift Planning and Structures
- Create and manage rotas based on business needs, seasonality, local events, and store traffic
- Manage employee attendance, absence, onboarding, and offboarding
- Ensure compliance with employment laws and company policies
Stock & Cost Control
- Manage stock levels, ordering, and deliveries, ensuring availability without overstocking
- Monitor waste and control costs to meet financial targets
Performance Management
- Drive sales performance and optimise store profitability (EBITDA)
- Take full accountability for achieving KPIs, including sales, labour, waste, and productivity
- Monitor performance metrics such as service times, product quality, and customer feedback
- Analyse performance and implement improvements to drive efficiency
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
- Proven experience in a similar leadership role
- Experience managing teams of 10+ employees
- Strong leadership and people management skills
- Excellent organisational and time management abilities
- Ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment
- High attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Strong communication and problem-solving skills
- Adaptable, proactive, and hands-on approach
- Motivated to be a people-focused leader
- Ability and willingness to work a flexible rota, including evenings, weekends and night shifts until close (4am).
- Full UK driving licence (essential)
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
Operational Standards: Hygiene, safety, compliance, and overall store standards
Employee Engagement: Staff retention, engagement scores, and team development
Guest Experience: Monitor performance across delivery platforms, focusing on ratings, complaints, and order accuracy. Ensure fast service, product availability, and a seamless customer experience
Store Performance: Sales targets, labour cost, waste control, productivity, and 4-wall EBITDA
Additional Information
- Performance-based bonus: Opportunity to earn additional income when achieving agreed KPIs and business targets
- Referral bonus scheme: Receive a bonus for referring successful candidates who pass their probation period
- This role includes a 6-month probation period with an initial salary. Upon successful completion, the full salary will be applied
- Opportunity to pass probation early at 3 months based on performance
- Flexible rota planning: As General Manager, you will have responsibility for creating and managing the rota, including your own working pattern. However, this is a hands-on role and you will be expected to work a fair mix of shifts across the week, including evenings, weekends and late-night closes, based on the needs of the business.
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Manchester: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- General Manager: 2 years (required)
Recruitment Timeline
- Application deadline: 31/08/2026
- Phone interviews: 2nd-3rd Sept 2026
- Face-to-face interviews: 8th–10th Sept 2026
- Expected start date: 21/09/2026
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Pay: £33,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
Application question(s):
- Please provide a brief cover letter outlining why you believe you would be a strong fit for the General Manager role at So Famous.
Work Location: In person
