About the job

• Start Date: Interviewing now for immediate start
• Location: West Dorset, UK
• Salary: Up to £65,000 gross p.a. (dependent on experience) + package
• Contract: Permanent | Full-Time
• Working Pattern: 5 days per week, including early mornings, evenings and weekends as required (hospitality rota)

JOB OVERVIEW

Oplu is partnering with an exceptional farm-to-fork luxury country hotel and wellness retreat to appoint a Head of Food & Beverage (F&B).

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role overseeing daily service delivery across breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as bespoke events for private groups, family stays and corporate retreats.

The business has a strong concept and offering already in place. The key requirement now is to bring in a confident Food & Beverage leader who will lead from the front, create structure, raise standards, and implement robust SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to drive consistent service excellence and smooth team performance.

This is a senior appointment. The property is hiring for confirmed Head of F&B experience (or equivalent senior F&B leadership) — not a step-up from an Assistant F&B Manager or Restaurant Manager role.

The Head of F&B reports directly to the General Manager, working closely with the Head Chef and Hotel Manager in weekly operational meetings.

MUST-HAVE REQUIREMENTS

• Proven experience already as a Head of Food & Beverage, F&B Manager, or equivalent senior F&B leadership role within luxury hotels, retreats, private members' clubs, or premium restaurants — this is not a step-up role
• A hands-on floor leadership style (this is not an office-based management role)
• Strong ability to implement and enforce SOPs, service standards, and operational governance
• Confident people leader, able to coach and develop supervisors while also managing underperformance fairly and decisively
• Excellent planning capability (rotas, prep, service flow, guest volumes, team efficiency)
• Strong communication skills and calm presence under pressure
• Flexibility on working hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends as required
• Right to work in the UK
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