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About Us
Operating in nearly 40 countries across the world, our purpose is to be the best part of the journey. Whether our customers are flying abroad on holiday, heading off on a business trip or commuting to work by train, we aim to offer them food and drink experiences that meet their many different tastes and needs.

What You’ll Get from Us
Our Commitment to learning and development is our commitment to unlocking our people’s success. We strive to provide a wide range of resources that boost our people’s skills today, and help them fulfil their potential tomorrow. No matter where you join us, you’ll have all the tools you need to take charge of your development. Surrounded by like-minded colleagues and guided by industry experts, it’s your career, your way at SSP.

Lead General Manager

Lead General Manager - Millie's Cookies South  (Cambridge, Paddington, Thurrock, Chelmsford, Reading, Crawley, Bluewater, Bristol, Cardiff & Brighton)

 

If you're passionate about food and travel, you've come to the right place. We are the Global food travel experts, and we have something delicious for everyone. Whether you're flying, taking a train, or just passing by, we have the best food and drink options for you.

 

We work with more than 500 brands, from our own creations like Upper Crust, Millie’s Cookies, Café Local and Beer House, to well-known franchises like M&S, Starbucks, Burger King, The Breakfast Club & BrewDog.

 

As Lead General Manager, you'll be rewarded with a competitive salary of up to £45,000 and enjoy:

 

  • Discounted meal on shift
  • Colleague discount - up to 50%
  • Friends & Family discount up to 20% (T&C apply)
  • Flexible working
  • Management bonus scheme
  • Access to digital GPs, 24/7 helpline for you & family
  • Wellbeing support through Retail Trust and family friendly leave
  • Variety of networks to support you, Neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ and many more
  • Life assurance  
  • Apprenticeships and ongoing development opportunities
  • Share incentive plan (SIP) 


 

Role Summary


The Lead General Manager is a senior operational leader, accountable for the performance, standards and day‑to‑day running of a defined set of units. This is a hands on, high ownership General Manager role, responsible for leading multiple sites and ensuring every unit trades safely, compliantly, and commercially every single day. The expectation is for a Lead General Manager to be in units 80% of the working week, supporting managers, hourly paid colleagues. 

 

The role is supported by an Operations Manager, who provides coaching, strategic direction and escalation support. While this is not an Operations Manager role, it is intentionally designed as the primary development platform for internal talent preparing for future progression into an Operations Manager position.

 

In this role, the Lead GM develops the capability, behaviours and operational discipline required for the next step, with progression earned through consistent delivery, leadership impact and the ability to manage units with confidence and accountability.

 

Balance Scorecard and weekly deliverables as a measure as well as the how. Measurement is 50/50 the what and how.

Main Responsibilities

 

Unit Leadership & Ownership

  • Full ownership for day‑to‑day operation across all units, role modelling teamwork by stepping in when needed, supporting GM’s and creating unity across the units.
  • Ensure every unit opens and trades safely
  • Hold unit GMs accountable to brand standards
  • Supporting other units during a crisis or staff shortage
  • Encouraging shared best practice and consistent standards 


People Leadership & Development

  • Bring visible energy to the floor, motivating teams through presence, standards and celebrating great performance.
  • Coach and develop GMs across the units.
  • Build a culture of accountability and performance
  • Ensure training, onboarding and succession planning

 

Commercial & Financial Performance

  • Constantly challenge how things are done
  • Seek better ways to run operations
  • Reduce SITs
  • Improve labour deployment and enhance customer experience
  • Own the units P&L fully
  • Lead forecasting, labour planning and optimisation
  • Drive sales and profitability through strong execution

 

Standards, Safety & Compliance

  • Ensure all units are audit‑ready
  • Lead food safety, H&S and legislative compliance
  • Personally intervene when standards slip
  • Ensure every unit opens and trade safely every day
  • Following through relentlessly on issues, audits and actions

 

Stakeholder & Client Management

  • Act as a senior SSP contact for the landlord and the Millies Brand
  • Represent SSP professionally and consistently

 

Operational Delivery & Problem Solving

  • Be the escalation point for issues impacting trade
  • Resolve operational gaps quickly and effectively
  • Provide visible leadership during key trading periods
     

 

Person Specification
 

  • Experienced senior GM or multi‑site leader
  • Strong operational command and people leadership
  • Commercially sharp with proven P&L ownership
  • Deep understanding of compliance and standards
  • Resilient, decisive and solutions‑focused

 

 

SSP are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that seek to recruit and retain the most talented individuals from a variety of backgrounds, skills and perspectives. 

 

 

Start the best part of your journey with us! 

Apply now »