Job description
Asahi UK (AUK), part of Asahi Europe & International Ltd, aims to enrich consumer experiences through innovation, high-quality service and an exceptional portfolio of premium beer, ale and cider brands including, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Asahi Super Dry, Meantime, Fuller’s London Pride and Cornish Orchards. Our aim is to be the leading super premium beer business in the UK, through a brand mix that creates a compelling proposition. At AUK we operate as an end to end business unit responsible for sales, marketing, customer operations, production, supply chain and wholesale operations in the UK & Ireland. For further information, visit www.asahibeer.co.uk
Asahi Europe & International is a subsidiary of Asahi Group Holdings Ltd, a global beverage and food company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan. Employing > 12,000 people, Asahi Europe & International is the custodian for leading super premium lager brands Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Grolsch, Asahi Super Dry, plus international Czech lager brands, Pilsner Urquell and Kozel. The business has world-class brewing and production facilities in 8 markets – UK, NL, ITL, PL, CZ, SK, HU, RO. In most of these markets, we are the leading brewer with full portfolio of famous brands. Commercial operations in other parts of Europe, USA, Canada, LatAm, Africa and Asia are served through our global distribution network. With state-of-the-art facilities, some of the best brewers in the world, quality ingredients, and a culture based on innovation and collaboration, Asahi offers the best quality of beer to beer lovers worldwide. More information can be found at www.asahiinternational.com
We're recruiting for an exciting Senior Retail Operations Manager within our Retail, Visitor Experuence and Hospitality team.
The Senior Retail Operations Manager is responsible for the management of three important areas of the overall Asahi UK Brand Homes offering:
1) The Meantime Taproom (including bar, kitchen and merchandise) at our brewery in Greenwich
2) The Fuller’s Brewery on-site shop on The Thames in Chiswick
3) The shop and tour operations at the Cornish Orchards cider farm in Duloe, Cornwall.
As Senior Retail Operations Manager you will be a part of the Retail, Visitor Experience & Hospitality senior leadership team, reporting into the department Head, the role sits within the Asahi UK Marketing function and will work closely with the respective brand and trade marketing teams to deliver a brand-aligned visitor offer.
- Lead the Taproom and Retail teams to deliver world class in-person service for all customers, ensuring both brand and financial targets are met.
- Ensure all touchpoints showcase the relevant brands through great merchandise and superb food, drink and hospitality offers, all of which are executed with exemplary customer service.
- Challenge the status quo and the team to work together to grow each area of the business that you will be responsible for.
Key accountabilities
- Accountable for the performance of the Meantime Taproom, Fuller’s shop and Cornish Orchards visitor centre, ensuring both brand and financial targets are met
- Oversee the daily operations at each site, working closely with your direct reports: the Meantime Taproom Manager, Cornish Orchards Retail Operations Manager and Fuller’s Shop Manager
- Execute the growth strategy set out by the Head of Retail, Visitor Experience & Hospitality for 1) on site retail 2) Meantime Taproom 3) Cornish Orchards tours
- Work closely with the Brewery Tours Manager to ensure the smooth welcome and departure of guests across sites during tours
- Work with the Local Brand Marketing team to ensure that the consumer/customer experience is aligned to wider brand plans and all opportunities for activation synergy are maximised
- Work with the Trade Marketing function to test and learn from activation across the sites that could be scaled across the wider On/Off Trade
- Lead and ensure exceptional customer satisfaction results are achieved and customers’ expectations are exceeded in all areas of the operation, taking remedial action to address issues
- Deliver new, and improve on existing processes, to maximise the efficiency and outputs
- Ensure required margins are achieved through development of appropriate product, careful purchasing of stock, appropriate pricing and effective stock management
- Control of variable costs such as labour, wastage etc to ensure the achievement of net profit target
- Ensure weekly payroll, takings and banking requirements are completed in an accurate and timely manner, adhering to the clear company cash handling, storage and banking procedures
- Report weekly sales figures to Head of Retail, Hospitality and Visitor Experience and Finance Teams and provide analysis
- Engage with the local communities to develop trade and improve the reputation of our operations
- Execute and input on specific sales and marketing initiatives and drivers to boost in-person sales
- Comply with all company human resources procedures and to ensure all Colleagues are fully inducted to the company at the time of joining.
- To manage Health and Safety standards and reporting, risk assessments and maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness around all areas
- To be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the respective businesses
- Act as Designated Premises Supervisor (Licensee) for the Chiswick site
- P&L management of the respective operations
- Control of variable costs such as labour, wastage, shrinkage etc to ensure the achievement of net profit target
- Recruit, retain, motivate and manage a highly engaged and highly performing team
- Ensure compliance with all company procedures and all Health and Safety standards and reporting, including risk assessments
- Keep abreast of, and apply learning from, new developments in the retail and hospitality worlds, particularly within beer and cider
Experience required
- Graduate calibre
- Multi-site operations experience gained within hospitality, retail or leisure sectors
- Retail Marketing experience preferred
- A strong leader who is personable, energetic and capable of managing and motivating front of house and kitchen team to deliver excellent customer service and achieve targets
- Strong commercial knowledge and awareness, highly organised and able to take accountability
- Ambition and the will to succeed and overcome challenges. Ability to drive the business forward
- Fun, confident and enthusiastic personality who takes real pride in achieving exceptional customer service
- A passion for beer and cider. We love beer and cider and so do our customers. Previous experience with a brewery/cider maker would be ideal
- Attention to detail. Always keeping an eye out to ensure standards are maintained
Key attributes of the successful candidate
- Energy, drive and passion to succeed
- A calm operator, able to deal with ambiguity and manage a large team
- Accountable, resourceful and resilient
- Ability to act quickly and “trouble shoot” when things are not going according to plan
On offer is a competitive basic salary plus generous benefits package inclusive of,
- Annual bonus
- Pension
- Private Medical Insurance
- 25 days’ holiday
- Beer allowance per annum
We are committed to nurturing a workplace where we celebrate and respect difference, and support everyone to be true to who they are! At Asahi Europe and International we believe you can SHINE AS YOU ARE - no matter your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We want to support you to be courageous in your individuality and to know that whoever you are and whatever your circumstances, you can belong with us without having to conform.