Deputy Area Manager

Honesty Group is an independent business operating pubs, restaurants, coffeeshops, and farm shops as well as serving our online and wholesale customers. Opened in 2014, Honesty Group now runs 15 sites across Berkshire and Hampshire, with our strong community-led values, and people-first approach separating us from our competitors. We are committed to holding ourselves to the highest standards with regards to the environment and sustainability, with all our food made by hand by our incredible team of chefs and bakers utilising fresh, seasonal, local ingredients (where possible) and served to our customers by dedicated, healthy and happy staff. We are Real Living Wage employers.
 

About Honesty Group

With strong community-led values, and people-first approach separating us from our competitors, Honesty Group are committed to holding ourselves to the highest standards with regards to the environment and sustainability, with all our food made by hand by our incredible team of chefs and bakers utilising fresh, seasonal, local ingredients (where possible) and served to our customers by dedicated, healthy and happy staff. 

Hours and Shifts: 37.5 Hours per week

Shifts: Monday to Saturday (With Sundays Off)

Overview:

The Deputy Manager is responsible for providing operational support to the Area Manager. This role aims to improve customer service standards, ensure store audits are completed, and maintain high standards at each site. The Deputy Manager will also cover for the Area Manager when needed and assist with new site openings.

This role involves assisting with staff management, coordinating operational tasks, monitoring performance metrics, handling customer issues, and supporting recruitment and training efforts. The Deputy Area Manager ensures that all locations operate efficiently and maintain high standards of customer service.

In return for your hard work, we offer:

 - Secure employment contracts
 - Wages which keep up with the National Living Wage

 - New Mapal/ Learning and Development Training programme to enhance your career and skills 
 - Free meal on duty

 - 20% off all products

-  Discounted Cookery School Courses

-  Employee Wellness Programme for 2024, a plan with workshops, fun challenges, and information/toolkits to support staff and help promote healthy living and wellness across the group.

What We Are Looking For:

• Experience: Proven experience within a branded coffee or food pub background.
• Integrity and Honesty: Ability to uphold and promote the company culture and values.
• Team Development: Provide Supervisors or Line Managers with guidance to coach, develop, and build a strong team.
• Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Organisational Skills: Ability to prioritise, plan, and organise effectively.
• Career Ambition: Desire to develop your career with a successful, expanding company and make a significant impact on service improvement and sales growth.
• Flexibility: Willingness to work in a dynamic, less structured environment.

Operational Support:

• Assist the Area Manager in managing daily operations across multiple locations.
• Ensure that all relevant information is accurately and timely conveyed to Coffee Shop Supervisors via regular meetings, email, and Slack.
• Cover for the Area Manager during leave or as required, handling any duties within the area management department as per the handover document.
• Work as a Supervisor in the event of staff illness or holiday cover when no other cover is available.

EPOS System Management:

• Support the management of the Epos Now Till system, including accessing sales reports, adding products, updating weekly menus, and providing technical assistance to supervisors when required.

Sales Support:

• Support Supervisors and staff in reaching sales targets; monitor and report on sales targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as directed by the Area Manager.

Staff Coordination and Development:

• Coordinate weekly meetings with Coffee Shop Supervisors to discuss objectives, tasks, and ensure an organized structure.
• Conduct appraisals and post-probation interviews for Supervisors, organizing face-to-face interviews and ensuring paperwork is sent to HR.
• Assist Coffee Shop Supervisors and Managers with planning staff rotas and holidays when necessary.

Customer Service Management:

• Handle customer complaints, directing them to the appropriate departments for further action or resolution.
• Address and resolve any incidents or problems at the locations to ensure they do not impact overall customer service.

Recruitment and Training:

• Assist in recruitment efforts, conducting interviews, and coordinating with HR departments on successful candidates.
• Support the training and development of new Supervisors and staff.
• Conduct Health and Safety Training, Barista training, and any other ad hoc training required for specific location needs.

New Site Openings and Store Closures:

• Assist the Area Manager and General Manager with operational requirements for new site openings, including shop fittings, product organization, and general layout.
• Help organize store closures in collaboration with the Area Manager, ensuring lease requirements are met and locations are handed over properly.

Purchasing and Cost Management:

• Support the sourcing of competitive pricing for any required purchases for new store development and current equipment changes throughout the group.

KPI Monitoring:

• Monitor KPIs across all locations for in-house product ordering, ensuring consistency and efficiency.

Visual Merchandising:

• Check layout, displays, and overall promotional standards for seasonal menus and stock.

Health & Safety Compliance:

• Ensure Health & Safety regulations are adhered to at all times, conduct spot checks on COSHH, and prepare for pre-audits. Collect and manage all relevant paperwork at each location.

Stock Management:

• Conduct weekly checks on stock levels within locations, flagging and addressing any issues.

Financial Tasks:

• Place orders for change with the bank and distribute to all locations when required.

• Assist with the collection and banking of takings from coffee shops where a Supervisor or Line Manager is absent.

Problem Solving:

• Facilitate problem-solving for all production unit orders created at coffee shop locations by Supervisors or Line Managers.

Auditing Locations:

• Audit site locations assigned, to establish and essentially check monthly, Health and Safety, Display, Merchandising, product knowledge, Company values and Ethos.                                                                                      

Work Environment:

• This position requires flexibility to work in different coffee shop locations, which may involve travel and varying work hours.
• Stock Management: Conduct weekly checks on stock levels within locations, flagging and addressing any issues.
• Operational Support: Work as a Supervisor in the event of staff illness or holiday cover when no other cover is available.
• Financial Collection: Assist with the collection and banking of takings from coffee shops where a Supervisor or Line Manager is absent.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Customer Feedback: Gather and act on customer feedback to continuously improve service quality.
• Marketing Initiatives: Support the implementation of marketing initiatives and promotions to drive sales.
• Technology Utilisation: Utilise company systems and technology effectively to streamline operations and communication.
• Crisis Management: Implement and oversee emergency procedures and crisis management protocols.
• Performance Reviews: Participate in regular performance reviews for staff, providing constructive feedback and setting development goals.
• Policy Implementation: Ensure company policies and procedures are consistently applied across all locations.
• Inventory Management: Oversee inventory management processes, ensuring accurate stock counts and minimising waste.