Start an exciting new chapter in your hospitality career at Hickory's Smokehouse - We are thrilled to have been recently crowned the ‘Best Pub Employer’ for 2025 at The Publican Awards!
As an Openings Support Manager, you will work as part of the openings team delivering new restaurant openings for Hickorys. This is a hands-on management role. Working alongside our new Management Teams will lead by example and always show ambassadorship. You’ll coach and mentor our new teams and be a wealth of Hickorys knowledge, passion and culture for each new Smokehouse to tap into.
Entry level for this role is successful experience at the Assistant Manager level. As well as having strong operational knowledge continuously driving the highest standards. You will be a hands-on Manager and lead from the front, a true champion of standards and culture. A flexible approach to travel and rota’s is required.
Responsibilities and Deliverables
Team
- To take an active, hands-on approach to training and coaching new restaurant teams, including management.
- Support the management team in the day-to-day running of the restaurants, covering par levels. You will need to be flexible to the needs of each restaurant as this may change.
- Using structure set by the OOM you will drive the restaurant through the openings KPI’s within the agreed timeline
- To be patient and courteous at all times.
- To support the OOM and people team in the recruitment of new restaurant teams.
- To support and guide the management teams on community days, helping build the vital relationships needed to aid a successful opening
- To be an ambassador for our culture and values, always portraying an authentic positive attitude.
Guests
- To set the highest standards/culture in line with our current restaurants. Coaching new team members on how to protect and development this community spirit amongst team and guests
- To review and monitor all avenues of guest experience and feedback, ensuring they are dealt with accordingly and actively implement any necessary changes.
- To be Daring, using Southern Hospitality as a tool to “wow” and thrill our guests.
- Constantly look to develop our day-to-day operations to create an ever-improving guest experience.
- Ensure our restaurants are inviting and friendly environments for our guests to visit- every day and every service.
- Support the management & team in building community relationships, both pre and post opening.
Restaurants
- To support the OOM in the opening timeline and take ownership of certain timeline tasks.
- Achieve pre-agreed KPIs for each opening and initial trading weeks
- Proactively work towards a handover of the new opening to the new MGT/Ops team, with all pre-agreed KPIs being met and a clear direction for the restaurant moving forward
- Be a part of a handover process ensuring we leave a well-prepared restaurant
- Always reviewing our own performance to improve all future openings
- Effectively plan for contingencies in all new opening processes
- To be an advocate for NPS within restaurants and continuously drive the progression of scores
You
- To be a Hickorys role model where you inspire the next generation.
- To have empathy and patience
- To have an adaptable/flexible approach to each working day
- Have strong integrity in what the bigger goals are
- To share feedback openly at the right times
Thank Yous & Benefits:
- Excellent training & progression opportunities – through our award-winning Hickory’s Training Academy.
- Qualification opportunities as you working (up to A-Level & Degree level equivalent).
- Birthday reward meal on us for you & your friends - every year.
- Free smokin’ BBQ on shift – team food & drinks menu.
- Christmas Day off work - every year.
- Moments that matter - Paid occasions days off (Wedding day, kid’s first day at school, moving into first home & more).
- Team Player card – 25% discount for you & 5 friends in all Hickory’s (rising to 50% for loyal service).
- Road trips to the Southern States, Europe & UK and stacks of enrichment opportunities.
- Wellbeing support & 24-hour access to our wellness programme.
- Our pledge to a work-life balance – monitoring & managing through our Red Zone.
- A packed team social & engagement calendar & annual team party.
- A chance to ‘give a bit back’ with fundraising activities for Cash For Kids
- Up to £1000 for you – through the refer a friend scheme
