Apley Farm Shop Operations Manager

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Farm Shop Operations Manager

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an experienced Operations Manager to join the hard-working and friendly team at Apley Farm Shop, Norton, Shropshire.

Apley’s businesses are run to deliver the four key aims of the Apley plan – these are long term financial resilience, minimizing our impact on the Environment making continual improvements to our environment, being Community focused & cherishing our Heritage

Apley Farm Shop is an award-winning attraction combining traditional farming, the finest quality food and precious family time.

Our aim is to focus on fresh, seasonal, and local produce from our estate, farms, tenant businesses and locally based high quality independent suppliers. We pride ourselves on our varied selection of the freshest seasonal fruit and vegetables and our extensive range of meats available from our specialist in-house butchery. Our in house bakery produces a delicious selection of freshly baked cakes, pastries and sweet treats.

We are so much more than just a Farm Shop. In addition to our re-furbished Apley Kitchen Café, Playbarn, Conference Room, Dog Park and Nature Trail we offer a wide range of events including Classic Motor Day, Spookley Festival, Craft Fairs and Christmas Fairs. Alongside our own activities we are also the location for a number of small retail businesses set in around beautiful farm courtyard.

As the business continues to grow, we are excited to invite experienced individuals to apply for the key role of Operations Manager.

We are looking for an individual with a passion in customer service, who has experience managing a varied team of staff within a range of retail and visitor experience settings.

Attention to detail and willingness to get involved in all aspects of the business from the shop floor and daily maintenance to event planning, budget control and staff appraisals, is essential. We are looking for a strong team player who can lead and motivate a varied workforce within the Playbarn, Farm Shop, Kitchen Café and office to ensure the complex runs smoothly and efficiently on a daily basis.

You will need to be adaptable, have a passion for providing top quality visitor experience plus have the commercial attributes to identify opportunities and maximise the sites potential.

We are looking for individuals who have:

· Food retail or food buying experience

· Events planning or management experience

· Passion for providing top quality visitor experience

· Recruitment, training and staff management experience

· Ability to identify new products, ranges and additional lines for the Farm Shop

· Skilled in managing supplier relationships with a keen eye on cost control

· Ability to maximise £ per sq. of retail space

· Experience on growing top line with an impact on the bottom line and margin

· Ability to think on your feet, devising new initiatives and products to maximise sales

· Ability to oversee and lead the operational arm of the business as well as having commercial input in strategy planning

· Have natural passion, energy, drive and new ideas

· An eye for detail and a creative flair

· Strong organisational skills, in both staff management and administration

· Willing to take full ownership of the complex’s daily operation

· Enjoys a 100% hands on approach

· Has the strength of character to work in an entrepreneurial environment

This role is responsible for the daily operation of the whole complex and includes direct line management of the Catering Manager, Playbarn Manager, Marketing & Events team in addition to supporting our staff working in all parts of the business.

Daily tasks will include staff recruitment, training, rotas and appraisals. Stock control, supplier relationship management and retail merchandising. Budget planning, cash handling and assisting with beginning and end of day procedures. Risk assessments and ensuring a safe working environment. Customer queries and complaints. Reviewing and developing operational processes to improve performance and maximise efficiency. Event planning and marketing support.

The role is supported by the Business Development Executive and Estate Director who lead on the overall business strategy planning. Your experience and ideas will be key to the development of this strategy.

Apley Farm Shop complex is a 7 day a week operation, with the Operations Manager will be required to work 5 out of 7 days to suit the needs of the business. Weekend work is standard and occasional evening work will be required during special events. Flexibility of working hours is essential to this role. The nature of the role means that working from home will not be an option

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £25,000.00-£35,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Private medical insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus scheme

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Shifnal: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: One location