Recruitment for Operations Director

Our client, a successful ‘high-end’ bar and restaurant Group with venues in both East and West London, were in urgent need to recruit an Operations Director to ensure future plans for expansion and growth. In a very competitive market and with complex recruitment demands our client had previously struggled to find someone suitable. This is where SG Resources came in to help out.

Background

The key focus of the Operations Director role was to open the Owner’s new venture whilst working across the group to help reduce ‘back office’ costs and improve labour efficiency whilst growing. Due to the long hours needed from the candidate and the extremely high standards demanded this was a very complex role to recruit for. However the growth plans our client had in place made this a really exciting opportunity and place to be for a talented individual.

The right candidate had to have experience and skills in three key areas: People management & leadership (covering HR, development and recruitment), financial capability (P&L control, financial transparency) and food service production.

Solution

We recommended a Search process in 3 related areas, aiming to look more broadly and beyond the obvious:

1. High end Restaurant Groups
2. Boutique Hotels
3. Hospitality – Fine Dining

After compiling a target list of restaurants/companies and identified the relevant individuals to approach. A candidate briefing document and job description was drafted and sent out to the selected candidates. Those candidates of interest were initially tele-screened, and if suitable they were interviewed face to face. There was a weekly progress report given to the client and the short list of candidates recommended for interview and their CVs were supported by individual profiles.

Result

We had to find the best – someone who had a passion for great food and knew how the London restaurant sector works, a track record of restaurant openings, in the London ‘high-end’ of the industry and who understood the demographics of the City. Entrepreneurial and could identify strongly with the vision of the business.

Through effective Search our client successfully hired a results-oriented Operations Director with 10 years of senior-level management and entrepreneurial experience in restaurants, private members and hospitality operations. A highly respected individual with an excellent track record of successful openings and motivating teams to peak performance.

About the Company

Within the Group there are a number of eating houses which are more than a bar or restaurant, they’re a lifestyle with venues in both East and West London. World renowned for offering the best most luxurious champagnes, wines and cocktails they serve modern British and European cuisine. Cool, hip environments to relax in by day, over breakfast or lunch, and a destination by night for the well-healed socialite.