Location: Burton Mere Wetlands, Dee Estuary Reserve, Neston CH64
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £28,940.00 - £30,898.00 Per Annum
Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave
Introduction
We are looking for an enthusiastic, confident and highly organised individual to take on the role of Food and Beverage Manager at our Burton Mere wetlands nature reserve on the Dee Estuary.
The café is located in our award-winning visitor centre, situated in a rural landscape on the edge of the Dee Estuary in Cheshire. The Dearne Valley is an excellent example of a formally industrialised landscape which is rich in cultural and natural heritage, evolving from a polluted industrial zone in the 1980’s to a green landscape featuring SSSI wetlands, grasslands and pockets of woodlands, on the doorstep of many local people.
RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands is a well visited nature reserve popular with the birding community and families alike. With a Visitor Centre, café, and small shop and thriving events programme supporting our visitors to connect with nature on our beautiful reserve.
What's the role about?
To lead the delivery of all food and beverage elements, creating an exemplar customer experience, with the aim to maximise the income and profit of the RSPB café.
Main Duties:(Non-Exhaustive)
* Lead, coach and develop a team of staff and volunteers to deliver excellent customer service and being at the forefront of delivering that yourself day to day.
* Oversee the day-to-day running of the café, ensuring a high-quality offer and smooth operation.
* Manage rotas and resources effectively to support team performance and service delivery and deliver the required staff ratio KPI.
* Deliver against financial targets by managing budgets, costs and commercial performance.
* Ensure effective merchandising and stock control to maximise income.
* Work collaboratively with the wider visitor operations team and site management team on site and with internal HQ support teams.
* Ensure compliance with all relevant policies, including food hygiene, health and safety, and operational procedures.
Essential skills, knowledge and experience:
* Ability to motivate and support others - Experience leading or coordinating a diverse team.
* Commitment to excellent customer experience - Responds positively and promptly to customer needs and feedback.
* Understanding of catering operations - Familiar with stock systems and able to interpret financial information.
* Knowledge of effective sales techniques - Awareness of merchandising, upselling and add-on sales.
* Ability to plan and prioritise work - Organises tasks efficiently and adapts to changing priorities.
* Problem-solving and initiative - Identifies solutions and acts independently when needed.
* Ability to build positive working relationships - Works collaboratively and supports an inclusive team culture.
* Experience working towards targets or KPIs - Achieves goals in catering, hospitality, retail or similar settings.
* Experience in visitor-facing environments - Experience gained in a visitor attraction, hospitality, retail, or similar customer-focused setting.
* Experience managing catering operations - Proven ability to run or support a successful catering service, including staff coordination and operational oversight.
* Clear communication and digital skills - Confident verbal and written communication, with the ability to use digital tools effectively.
* Basic numeracy and literacy - GCSE Maths and English or equivalent skills gained through work, training, or lived experience.
* Ability to work regular weekends - Willingness to work Saturdays or Sundays as part of the regular rota.
Closing date: 23:59, Sunday, 21st June 2026
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 30th June 2026. however, this may change depending on the number of applications received.
N.B. We may begin interviewing sooner and reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.
Interested?
If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website.
We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.
The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.
As part of this application process you will be asked to submit a CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.
Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.
No agencies please
Salary description
£28940.00 - £30898.00 per year