The Great Central Railway has a strong and varied food & beverage offer, from cafés and kiosks to on-train dining and special events. However, there is significant opportunity to modernise, improve consistency, and develop a more distinctive and commercially effective F&B proposition.
We are looking for someone to take ownership of this area and help evolve it into a more joined-up, customer-focused, and commercially successful operation.
This is a hands-on role with scope to shape the future offer.
What success looks like (first 12–18 months)
- Improved consistency and quality across all F&B outlets
- A clearer, more appealing and better-structured offer (menus, pricing, presentation)
- Growth in secondary spend per visitor
- Stronger link between F&B and the wider visitor experience (events, journeys, storytelling)
- Introduction of new ideas and formats that drive engagement and revenue
- A motivated, well-supported team (staff and volunteers)
Candidate profile
We are open on background and particularly interested in candidates with energy, ideas, and potential, not just years of experience.
1. Commercially aware and customer-focused
- Understands how F&B drives revenue and visitor satisfaction
- Thinks about spend per head, not just cost control
- Spots opportunities to improve the offer and increase spend
2. Hands-on operator
- Comfortable running day-to-day operations as well as improving them
- Will get involved on the ground when needed
- Able to balance immediate operational pressures with longer-term improvements
3. Innovative and ideas-driven
- Brings fresh thinking on menus, formats, and presentation
- Interested in trends in casual dining, street food, and visitor attractions
- Able to translate ideas into practical, deliverable changes
4. Strong people skills in a mixed workforce
- Works effectively with both paid staff and volunteers
- Builds positive relationships and brings people with them
- Able to set standards while maintaining engagement and goodwill
5. Organised and delivery-focused
- Able to manage multiple outlets and priorities
- Brings structure without over-complicating things
- Follows through and delivers consistently
6. Resilient and adaptable
- Comfortable operating in a busy, sometimes unpredictable environment
- Handles pressure without losing focus or energy
- Able to navigate differing views and practical constraints
- Keeps momentum going through steady, constructive effort
7. Energetic, ambitious and keen to develop
- Motivated to improve things and take ownership
- Interested in growing their career and developing a broader skillset
- Brings enthusiasm and pace to the role
We are particularly open to candidates earlier in their careers who demonstrate strong potential, attitude, and drive.
Background (indicative, not restrictive)
Candidates may come from:
- Hospitality (restaurants, cafés, casual dining, street food)
- Visitor attractions / leisure venues
- Events / festivals
- Contract catering
We are open to:
- Established managers
- Or high-potential supervisors / assistant managers ready to step up
What we are not looking for
- Purely back-of-house or kitchen-only profiles without commercial awareness
- Individuals focused only on cost control rather than revenue and experience
- Highly corporate operators who may struggle in a hands-on, evolving environment
- People who are resistant to change or new ideas
Key message for candidates This is an opportunity to take a varied F&B operation and shape it into a more distinctive, creative and commercially successful part of a unique visitor experience
If you’re interested please email recruitment@gcrailway.co.uk with your CV.
