careers in


Case study The fast-mover


Who James McMillan, 25 What Deputy manager (newly appointed) www.mbplc.com


How did you start in the pubs sector? About a week after I turned 18, I realised I needed a full-time job. A local wine bar had an advert in the window for staff. I had zero experience, but went in for a chat and charmed my way into the job. I’ve now worked for both independent bars and large traditional pub groups and I’ve been at Mitchells & Butlers for three and a half years.


Describe your job Hard work! As important as it is, front-facing guest service has become only a small part of my job role. Stock management is a major part – ordering, regular counts, yield reporting, and then there’s drawing up rotas, training, spec testing, interviews, performance reviews, and ensuring that all the equipment is available and working.


Biggest learning curve? The reality is that different people react to different teaching and management styles. As a manager, you need to adjust to find the way of getting the best out of your team.


Opportunity knocks


Hospitality employs more than two million people. About two out of five work in the licensed retail sector and within the next few years about 270,000 new workers will be required – bar staff, chefs and managers.


To plug the gap, Perceptions


Group is offering unemployed young people placements and training in pubs. It works with a number of organisations, such as the Beer & Pub Association, CPL Training and many more.


The idea is that Perceptions


will bring new employees in and then the British Institute of Innkeeping will help employers to develop them, show them a career path and keep them in the industry.


Find out more at www.hospitalityguild.co.uk 34


Pubs & bars


What qualities have helped you? An eye for detail and being approachable. You need to be open enough that employees can come to you if need help or have problems, and be affable to guests – we are in hospitality after all.


And qualifications? Before I worked for Mitchells & Butlers, I was self-taught. Since joining, my skill and knowledge levels have dramatically improved. The company’s investment in training is second to none. The team leader and management progression workbooks are a great way of learning, not just back-of-house systems, but also people management. Mitchells & Butlers also supports the traditional qualifications. As well as the standard personal licence and first-aid training, I now have a BIIAB-accredited qualification in drink and cellar quality management and a WSET level 1 and 2.


Where next? Isn’t it everyone’s dream to own their own bar?


James’s inside info on getting ahead “Be prepared and willing to put in the graft. It’s not all Tom Cruise spinning cocktails. And team loyalty and trust is there to be earned, not demanded”


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