Butchery Counter Manager
THE JOB OPPORTUNITY
- Job Role: Butcher Counter Manager
- Hours: 43–45 hours per week
- Salary: £34,000–£35,000 per year, with the opportunity to earn up to a further £2,000 per year through our performance\-related bonus scheme.
- Location: Cobbs at Englefield, Theale
- Reporting to: Group Head Butcher
This is a hands\-on management role, combining leadership, butchery, customer service and commercial responsibility. You will lead and organise the counter team, ensuring the department operates efficiently, maintains high standards and delivers the quality products and service our customers expect from Cobbs.
You will report directly to our Group Head Butcher, who will provide ongoing support, guidance and development. You will have responsibility for the day\-to\-day running of your counter while having the wider butchery team and Group Head Butcher available to support you with operational, technical and commercial decisions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead and task the team – Organise the team throughout the day, allocating tasks and ensuring priorities are clear and completed to a high standard.
- Run the counter efficiently – Take ownership of the day\-to\-day operation of the counter, ensuring the department is well organised, appropriately staffed and running smoothly.
- Stock ordering and management – Monitor stock levels, place orders and manage stock effectively to maintain availability while controlling overstock, wastage and costs.
- Counter presentation – Ensure the counter is consistently fully stocked, attractively displayed, correctly labelled and presented to the high standards expected at Cobbs.
- Commercial performance – Work closely with the Senior Management Team on margin, sales and commercial performance, contributing to decisions around pricing, product mix, portion control, stock levels and wastage.
- Monthly stocktake – Complete and oversee the monthly stocktake, ensuring accurate counts and working with the Senior Management Team to investigate and address discrepancies.
- Food safety and HACCP – Maintain all required food safety records and ensure HACCP procedures, temperature checks, cleaning schedules and other compliance requirements are completed accurately and consistently.
- Customer orders and service – Provide excellent customer service, deal confidently with enquiries and ensure customer orders are taken, prepared and completed accurately and on time.
- Computer and administration – Carry out basic computer\-based administration, including emails, customer orders, stock information, reporting and other systems required to support the department.
- Quality control – Maintain high standards of product quality, specification, labelling and presentation across the counter.
- Hands\-on butchery – Support the team with butchery and counter duties when required, leading by example and maintaining excellent product and butchery standards.
- Team development – Support the training and development of the team, helping colleagues build their knowledge, skills and confidence.
- Health \& Safety – Ensure the team follows all relevant health and safety procedures and that the working environment remains safe, clean and organised.
- Communication – Work closely with the Senior Management Team and wider business to ensure effective communication and a smooth operation.
We’re looking for someone who combines strong butchery knowledge with excellent leadership and organisational skills.
You’ll be confident taking responsibility for a team and a busy counter while remaining hands\-on and approachable. You’ll understand that running a successful butchery counter is about more than producing great products – it’s also about stock, margins, presentation, customer service, cleanliness, food safety and developing your team.
Ideally, you will have:
- Previous experience working in a professional butchery or meat counter environment.
- Experience of leading, supervising or managing a team.
- Strong knowledge of butchery, meat products and counter presentation.
- Experience with stock control and ordering.
- An understanding of margin, wastage and commercial performance.
- Good organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Confidence using basic computer systems, including email.
- A good understanding of food safety, HACCP and health \& safety procedures.
- Excellent customer service and communication skills.
- The ability to work calmly and effectively in a busy retail environment.
- A proactive, positive and hands\-on approach.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
Success in this role will be about creating a well\-run, commercially successful and customer\-focused butchery counter.
You will be successful when:
- The counter is consistently fully stocked, fresh, well presented and ready for customers.
- The team is well organised, effectively tasked and clear on what needs to be achieved each day.
- Stock is ordered accurately and managed effectively, balancing availability with controlled stock levels and wastage.
- The department works positively towards its sales and margin targets, with you actively contributing to commercial decisions alongside the Senior Management Team.
- Monthly stocktakes are completed accurately, with discrepancies identified, investigated and followed up.
- Food safety, HACCP, cleaning and health \& safety records are completed accurately and consistently.
- Customer orders are managed efficiently and customers receive a consistently high level of service.
- The team maintains excellent standards of butchery, product quality and counter presentation.
- Communication between the counter, Senior Management Team and wider business is clear and effective.
- Team members are supported, developed and held accountable for maintaining the standards expected of them.
- You lead by example, creating a positive, hardworking and professional environment where the team takes pride in what they do.
ABOUT US – OUR FARM SHOPS
Since 2007, Cobbs has been all about celebrating quality food with a real connection to where it comes from. We champion local farmers, artisan producers and incredible seasonal ingredients, bringing our customers the very best from our doorstep. With our farm shops, cafés and events, we create spaces where good food and good times come together.
OUR MANIFESTO
Deliver Fair Prices for All
We believe that fair pricing supports a thriving community. By working closely with local farmers and producers, we ensure our customers get top\-quality food at honest prices – without cutting corners or compromising on ethics.
Champion the Joy of Good Food
Food is at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re sitting around your own table or enjoying a meal in one of our cafés, we want every bite to be something special. We’re passionate about simple, delicious and honest food that brings people together.
Put People First
People make Cobbs what it is – from our team and suppliers to every customer who walks through our doors. We’re committed to creating a warm, inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome, supported and part of the Cobbs family.
WHY JOIN COBBS FARM SHOPS?
We take care of our team and love to share the things that make Cobbs special:
- Competitive Salary: We pay above the National and Living Wage, with regular reviews to keep things fair.
- Welcome Hamper: A little taste of Cobbs to get you started.
- Café Discounts: Enjoy 50% off food and soft drinks in all our cafés, and bring up to three guests along.
- Shop Discount: 10% off all food in our farm shops.
- Wine at Cost Price: Enjoy savings of over 30% on our fantastic wine selection.
- Training and Development: From accredited training plans to supplier visits and tastings, we help you grow.
- Shared Tips: We split café tips fairly among the team.
- Generous Holiday: 5\.6 weeks of holiday per year for full\-time team members.
- Loyalty Holiday Bonus: Extra holiday for every year of service after four years.
- Paid Volunteering: Take time off to support causes close to your heart.
- Social Events: Regular get\-togethers with great food, drinks and company.
If this sounds like the kind of role where you’d thrive, we’d love to hear from you.
Send us your CV and a short cover letter telling us about your experience, why you’re interested in the role and what you could bring to the Cobbs team.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the Cobbs family!
Job Types: Permanent, Full\-time
Pay: £34,000\.00\-£35,000\.00 per year
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Reading RG7 5EA: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
- Butchery: 5 years (required)
This listing is from Indeed. View original listing ↗