The Donkey Sanctuary is an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships. 

We have an excellent opportunity for a proactive and professional individual with outstanding leadership and organisational skills and a strong customer service ethic to join the team at our award winning restaurant, The Kitchen, as Front of House Supervisor. With a passion for excellent service and food, you will you will make a visit to our restaurant memorable and enjoyable, translating our core values into a successfully operating, team-focused restaurant where food quality and service exceeds customer’s expectations and is delivered to a consistently high standard.

About you:

• Experience of working front of house in a high-volume catering operation.
• Strong leadership experience, including direct management of a team of staff.
• Excellent customer service skills, including experience of dealing with enquiries and complaints from members of the public.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to interact with individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
• Previous cash handing and till experience.
• Barista trained.
• Level 2 Food Safety Certificate.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• Promoting exceptional food quality that embraces higher welfare standards, fully reflecting our core values of compassion, collaboration and creativity.
• Assisting the restaurant management team with all aspects of future growth in The Kitchen.
• Planning and assisting with The Donkey Sanctuary events and functions, in conjunction with the restaurant management team.
• Supporting the line management of the Front of House team, helping build future succession by empowering, developing, coaching and mentoring individual team members.
• Accountability for Health & Safety and hygiene matters within the front of house element of the restaurant, ensuring standards of cleaning are consistently excellent.
• Ensuring that opening and closing procedures are followed, ensuring all cash handling procedures are monitored and followed.
• Ensuring that customer feedback is dealt with appropriately.

What we offer in return:

Based in Sidmouth, Devon – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – this is a full-time, permanent contract starting as soon as possible, working 37.5 hours per week, 5 days over 7, as part of the team rota.

Please note: This role does not include split-shift working.

Benefits:  

Competitive pension.

Life Assurance.

31 Days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 34 will each full year of service.

Wellbeing Team.

Recorded Pilates and Yoga classes.

Long Service Awards.

Healthshield Plan –

• Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership.
• Offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets.
• Access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.

Free parking.

Subsidised restaurant and shop.

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: We look forward to receiving your application, but we do ask you to complete this in your own words, and not to employ an Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tool or assistant. Applications that are considered not to be an applicant’s own work may not be shortlisted for interview.