Restaurant Associates UK
Retail Manager

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Retail / Catering Manager
We’re looking for an experienced and motivated Retail / Catering Manager to lead and develop a high-performing team, deliver an outstanding customer and client experience, and take ownership of the day-to-day performance of a busy retail outlet. You’ll be responsible for driving operational excellence, achieving financial and sales targets, managing costs and budgets, and ensuring the highest standards of service, food safety and compliance. This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys leading people, building strong client relationships and finding opportunities to improve performance and grow revenue.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead, motivate and develop a trained and engaged team, ensuring the right skills and standards are in place.
- Take ownership of the day-to-day operation of the retail/catering outlet, ensuring consistently high standards.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients through regular meetings and clear communication.
- Deliver all contractual and client requirements and communicate any changes effectively to your line manager.
- Monitor customer and client satisfaction, developing and delivering action plans where improvements are needed.
- Promote the outlet and identify opportunities to increase sales and revenue, including upselling hospitality and additional services.
- Manage labour effectively, ensuring schedules are aligned to sales and budgets while minimising unnecessary agency and overtime costs.
- Monitor sales, purchasing, gross profit and operating costs to ensure financial targets are achieved.
- Monitor food wastage and take action to minimise waste and control costs.
- Identify new commercial opportunities and work with your line manager to develop them.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What You’ll Need To Succeed
- A current Food Hygiene Certificate.
- Previous experience in a retail, catering or hospitality environment.
- Experience of leading and managing a small team.
- Strong financial and commercial awareness, with the ability to manage budgets and control costs.
- Good IT skills and confidence working with sales, cost and financial information.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with customers, clients and colleagues at all levels.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively.
- The ability to work to tight deadlines and remain calm and effective under pressure.
- A self-motivated and adaptable approach, with the confidence to respond positively to a changing environment.
- A proactive approach to identifying opportunities to improve service, sales and operational performance.
- Industry awareness and a genuine commitment to delivering excellent customer experiences.
Benefits
We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families


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About Us
Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.
Job Reference: com/1809/98655001/52834399/SU #RA Group
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
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