Job Description

Job Title: Food & Beverage Operations Manager

Reports to: Head of Commercial

Responsible for: Club F&B, Training Ground F&B and Kiosks

Location: Bloomfield Road, Blackpool (with travel to the training ground)

Hours: 40 per week - to include evenings & weekends

Salary: Dependant on Experience

Who we are:

Blackpool Football Club is an English Professional Association Football Club based in the seaside town of Blackpool, Lancashire.

The Club was founded in 1887 and has a very storied history, from being a founding member of the Lancashire League in 1889, rising to the Top-Flight of the Football League (the old First Division) in 1930, to winning the FA Cup in 1953 and being promoted to the Premier League in 2010 (becoming the first Club to gain promotion from every division of the Football League via the play-off system.)

The team are competing in League One, the third tier of the English Football League.

The Club have played their home games at Bloomfield Road since 1901

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Job Purpose:

Reporting to the Head of Commercial, the successful candidate will lead and manage all Food & Beverage operations across the Football Club, including matchday concourses, VIP lounges, hospitality suites, non-matchday events, and external catering contracts.

The role is responsible for delivering exceptional service standards, maximising profitability, and driving innovation, ensuring an outstanding experience for supporters, guests, and clients on both matchdays and non-matchdays.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

Manage and lead on all F&B Operations across Club & the Training Ground, ensuring exceptional service delivery at all levels. Oversee matchday public catering services, including kiosks, lounges, executive boxes, directors' hospitality and First Team / Academy player catering at the Training Ground. Alongside the Head of Hospitality, Conference & Events, develop and deliver a profitable non-matchday events business (e.g., weddings, conferences, and banquets). Take responsibility for the end-to-end purchasing process for all F&B-related goods. Oversee all logistics relating to food, beverage, and catering equipment to ensure smooth and cost-effective operations. Source new suppliers where needed and regularly evaluate performance, pricing, and product quality. Lead the negotiation of supplier contracts, ensuring best value and service delivery aligned with Club standards and expectations. Take full accountability for F&B budgets, including profit and loss responsibility across all operational areas. Monitor and manage costs relating to purchasing, staffing, waste, utilities, and equipment. Implement effective stock control procedures and margin management to ensure profitability. Provide regular financial and performance reports to senior management. Create and manage staff rotas in line with business needs, budgets, and event schedules. Monitor performance, promote professional development, and maintain high standards of customer service. Ensure appropriate staffing levels to deliver consistent quality service across all outlets. Ensure all operations comply fully with Food hygiene and food safety, regulations, Health and safety legislation and Alcohol licensing laws. Maintain up-to-date documentation including HACCP plans, cleaning schedules, and training records. Conduct regular audits and inspections to proactively manage compliance and safety across all sites. Work closely with the Head of Commercial to develop and implement strategies to grow revenue and enhance guest experience. Contribute to the planning and delivery of premium F&B offerings aligned with the Club's commercial and brand objectives. Continuously seek opportunities for innovation, service improvement, and operational efficiency. Create and execute menus and product offerings in collaboration with culinary partners or in-house chefs. Work closely with the Commercial and Marketing teams to promote hospitality offerings. Monitor customer feedback and implement service improvements to ensure a first-class experience. Uphold the Club's values and contribute to a positive team culture. Additional duties as reasonably requested by the Head of Commercial.
To adhere to the Club's Safeguarding Policy at all times.

To promote a safe and healthy working environment for all players and staff

To promote a professional image of the club and themselves at all times.

To work with and support other team members as required ensuring effective and efficient service is developed and delivered.

The above job description is not intended to be exhaustive; the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the Club.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

Desirable Requirement

Qualifications

Personal Licence holder.

Experience

Proven track record in a senior food and beverage or hospitality management role, ideally in a stadium, arena or large-scale venue setting. Experience managing multi-site or multi-outlet operations, including bars, restaurants, lounges and event catering. Strong commercial acumen with evidence of delivering revenue growth, cost control and profit improvement. Financially astute with experience managing budgets and driving commercial performance. Experience in negotiating and managing supplier, concession, and catering contracts. Demonstrated success in leading large, diverse teams, including both permanent staff and casual matchday/event staff. Experience in the sports, leisure, or entertainment industry. Experience working with third-party catering partners or contract caterers. Knowledge of League One or EFL matchday operations.

Knowledge & Skills

In-depth understanding of hospitality industry best practice, including health, safety, licencing and food hygiene regulations. Ability to plan and deliver high-quality service in both matchday and non-matchday environments. Excellent organisational, planning, and time-management skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels, including senior executives, partners, and customers. Strong leadership and people management skills. Proficiency in financial reporting, forecasting, and budget management.

Personal Qualities

Dynamic personality and positive attitude to work. Highly motivated, results-driven, and customer-focused. Professional, approachable, and confident in high-profile settings. Conscientious, organised and provide work on time and in detail. Work at a fast pace to meet the needs of the Club.
Possess a progressive mindset (individually and departmentally).

Enthusiastic and positive with a willingness to learn.

Assertive, calm with the ability to work well under pressure.

Flexible to meet the requirements of the needs of the business - to work unsociable hours including all home matchdays.

Ability to travel between different sites eg the Club & Training Ground.

To apply for the position please submit an application form and a covering letter detailing how you meet the criteria for the role to HR@Blackpoolfc.co.uk or Blackpool Football Club, Bloomfield Road, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, FY1 6JJ.

We encourage early applicants as we reserve the right to close the application process at any time.

This job will be subject to satisfactory references and Enhanced DBS procedures.

Closing date for applications is

Friday 21 November 2025.

Safeguarding:

Blackpool Football Club Ltd and the EFL are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to endorse this commitment. Posts advertised may require Enhanced Criminal Record Checks and may include checks against the Barred lists, as such it is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974). Therefore, all convictions, including spent convictions that have not been subject to filtering by the DBS should be declared.

Recruitment checks

: You will also be required to provide details of referees for the previous five years' working history or referees whilst in full-time education.

Equality and Diversity

: Employees must always carry out their duties with due regard to Blackpool Football Club's policies and procedures. The employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.

Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Mission Statement:

At Blackpool Football Club we aim to provide an enjoyable experience for all supporters and hold inclusion and anti-discrimination at the core of our values. We are committed to creating an environment which welcomes and respects people from all communities, promoting equality and diversity at Bloomfield Road and its associated premises. As a Club we recognise the nine protected characteristics (age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation) under the Equality Act 2010 and will play an active role in supporting inclusion and putting an end to discrimination.

The employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relationships between all internal and external stakeholders.

Blackpool Football Club is an equal opportunities employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

On-site parking
Work Location: In person