Trebah Garden Trust has owned and operated Trebah Garden as an independent charity (no. 1000067) since 1990. The work of our staff and time given by our volunteers contributes towards our charitable purpose, chiefly to: “preserve, enhance and re-create for the enjoyment of the public, the gardens of Trebah”. Today we welcome up to 120,000 visitors per annum to our gardens and our private beach.
Applications close at 5pm on 3rd May 2026 and interviews are scheduled for Monday 11th May.
Please submit CV and covering letter letting us know how you meet the requirements of the role.
Responsible
To:
Operations
Manager
Financial
responsibility:
Responsible
for a gross turnover budget of over £1m per annum and associated expenditure.
Line
Management:
Responsible
for overseeing a high performing team totalling approximately 25 staff, across
both Front of House and Kitchen teams covering 2 outlets: Trebah Kitchen and The
Boathouse.
Scale
and Scope of the Role:
Day
to day responsibility for the management of an exceptional and consistent Food
and Beverage offer that supports the high-quality visitor experience within one
of Cornwall’s leading tourist attractions, ensuring commercial success. Leading
from the front to deliver exemplary customer service, creating a happy, high
performing team of staff and volunteers, to ensure our visitors have a
fantastic experience, every time.
Internal/external
relationships:
The
Leadership team at Trebah Garden, Heads of Department, the wider team of staff,
trustees, volunteers and visitors. Suppliers, contractors and partner
organisations.
Key
responsibilities:
- ·Leading
for a high-quality offer:
Work
with the Kitchen team to develop and maintain a high-quality, relevant and
seasonal menu that both meets the needs of and exceeds the expectations of our
audiences. Develop and grow the business by seeking out opportunities and ideas
from your team, the wider Trebah team and visitor feedback to develop new
initiatives. Input into the events programme and be proactive in maximising
commercial and any partnership opportunities.
Lead
on the development and implementation of project work relevant to F&B as
required.
Work
with the Operations Manager and Finance & HR manager– along with your own
team – to develop and achieve stretching financial targets, both for income and
profitability. Effective management of food, wage costs & energy.
Maintain
a culture of exceptional service – both internal and external – in line with
the Trebah Garden Values. Leading in both Front Of House and Kitchen environments
and displaying a positive, can-do attitude, striving for the highest standards.
You
will create a great environment for your team to work in. Recruiting,
inducting, leading, managing and developing talented individuals then coaching
and mentoring them to succeed. Setting clear expectations for all roles, you
will use clear measures to evaluate individual and team performance. You will
ensure effective communication and teamwork in both Trebah Kitchen and the
Boathouse. You will ensure that all team members have relevant training and
development in food hygiene, allergens and Trebah standards.
Ensure
your team can help visitors understand the link between Trebah’s charitable
purpose, our day-to-day work and our F&B offer.
- ·Compliance
and food safety:
You
will ensure we are compliant with all relevant food safety, health and safety
regulations and everything else necessary to retain a 5* food hygiene rating.
You
will identify and manage/minimise risk, compliant across the food and beverage
offer, developing risk assessments as necessary, maintaining consistently high
standards of Health & Safety, cleanliness and presentation.
Source
ingredients and products locally and ethically in line with our Values,
limiting food wastage at every opportunity.
Consider
energy usage and food miles when developing menus.
- ·Be
part of the Trebah team:
As
a Head of Department at Trebah Garden, you will be part of a team responsible
for the daily operation of the visitor business and will contribute towards and
deliver relevant parts of the Business Plan.
Act
as Duty Manager for Trebah Garden as part of a rota, always delivering in line
with Trebah Garden Values
Anything
else as reasonably requested by a member of the Leadership Team.
Knowledge,
Skills and Experience:
Required:
·Minimum
five years’ experience in successfully leading and managing a Food and Beverage
outlet, including experience working in front of house and kitchen
environments.
·Significant
experience of managing a large team within a hospitality environment.
·Significant
knowledge of food and beverage best practice, including detailed understanding
of managing food safety, allergen and health and safety compliance.
·Track
record of strong leadership and people management skills.
·Experience
in delivering the highest standards of service and leading others to do so.
·Experience
in developing and implementing menus incorporating locally sourced fresh
produce to suit a predominantly daytime offer, whilst managing costs.
·Strong
financial acumen. A track record of business development within a similar
setting, planning and delivering stretching budgets and actively listening to
customer feedback.
·Able
to respond to varying pressures and difficult situations.
·Experience
of working with and managing external contractors.
·Strong
IT, written and verbal communication skills including some training delivery
experience.
Desirable:
·BTEC
or City and Guilds Level 3, or equivalent experience.
·Level
2 Food Hygiene
·Experience
of working with and managing volunteers. Understand the different approaches
needed to recruit, reward, recognise, engage and motivate volunteers.
·Experience
of working with and managing external contractors.
·Experience
in analysing data and providing insight into ‘knowing your customer’, to
develop concepts, menus and service flow.
·Personal
alcohol licence holder
Benefits:
·29
days annual leave entitlement, with long service increments
·Contributory
pension scheme
·Life
Insurance – 4 x annual salary
·Health
cash plan offered through Simply Health
·Working
in an area of outstanding natural beauty with access to the garden, during your
working day
·Free
entry to the garden during opening hours with friends and family
·Generous
staff discounts within Trebah Enterprises
·Free
entry to partner attractions within the CATA association.
