Name: Brandkits
Price range: $

Job Description

The Role

This is a pre-opening and operational leadership role combined with hands-on service leadership.

You will help build the operational foundations of the business before launch and then manage day-to-day trading once open. You will lead from the shop floor daily — serving customers, supporting the team and setting the tone for hospitality.

Because Sticks & Cones is an ingredient-led, made-from-scratch concept, we are looking for a General Manager who takes pride in food quality and understands the value of craftsmanship. You do not need to be a chef — but you should be genuinely interested in ingredients, flavour, sustainability and how things are made.

As a neighbourhood concept, building genuine relationships with local customers will be central to success. We want a General Manager who can confidently talk about our products, communicate our values, and help create a sense of community around the brand.

This is not a large restaurant operation. It is a focused, premium neighbourhood hospitality concept with a small team (3 full-time including the GM, plus part-time support during busy periods), high standards and strong founder involvement. The Founder will be present day-to-day in the early stages, and the role reports directly to them.

We are looking for a Founding General Manager who is genuinely excited about quality food, ingredients and sustainability — and who wants to help build something special from the ground up.

Job Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Opening (April – Launch)

Support final operational planning and readiness
Recruit and onboard a small team in collaboration with the Founder
Implement core systems, including EPOS, rota management and stock control processes
Establish robust food safety systems, HACCP documentation and hygiene protocols
Ensure full compliance with health & safety and Environmental Health requirements prior to opening
Support supplier coordination and operational setup

Post-Opening

Lead the shop floor daily in a highly hands-on, customer-facing role
Deliver warm, friendly and memorable customer engagement
Build genuine relationships with regular customers and foster a strong neighbourhood community feel
Champion local community engagement and help build Sticks & Cones’ reputation within Marylebone
Manage staffing, rotas and labour cost control
Monitor daily sales and trading performance
Use EPOS and reporting tools to interpret sales patterns and labour efficiency
Oversee stock management and inventory control, working closely with production
Maintain rigorous food safety, hygiene and cleanliness standards at all times
Prepare for and manage Environmental Health inspections
Continuously refine service flow, operational systems and team efficiency

Experience & Background

2–4+ years’ experience as a General Manager or in an equivalent senior hospitality leadership role
Strong hospitality background (café, restaurant, dessert concept, premium quick-service or similar)
Experience contributing to a new opening or early-stage business preferred
Strong knowledge of food safety, HACCP systems and hygiene compliance
Confidence managing Environmental Health inspections
Proficiency with EPOS systems and scheduling software
Ability to interpret sales, labour and performance reporting tools
Familiarity with inventory and stock management systems
Experience leading small teams in hands-on environments
Comfort working closely with a Founder in a collaborative structure

Salary & Package

£36,000–£38,000 depending on experience
Performance bonus up to £2,000 annually
Early April 2026 start
Opportunity to play a foundational role in building a premium independent hospitality brand