We’re The Highland Soap Company – a family-run maker of organic soap and skincare, based at the foot of Ben Nevis. Our Visitor Centre is one of the Highlands’ best-loved stops, combining a busy retail store with our Larder Café, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors each year. We have a strong, full-staffed team across all departments.
We’re looking for an experienced, hands-on General Manager to lead the day-to-day operation and drive the next stage of growth across tourism, retail, and hospitality. The right person is likely to be the GM of a hospitality business with multiple revenue streams, or a Visitor Centre or tourist destination. A cooking background or experience with kitchens would be useful.
The role
You’ll take ownership of site performance, standards, people, and guest experience – working closely with our directors to track KPIs and deliver commercial improvements across the shop and cafe. We have a 10,000 sq ft facility with a 80 cover restaurant, a busy shop and a brand new children’s play area.
What you’ll be doing
- Lead daily operations across retail and café, ensuring great service and smooth delivery
- Oversee rotas, stock, merchandising, food service standards and presentation
- Lead, coach, and develop a multi-skilled team across FOH, kitchen, and retail
- Own key site KPIs and reporting – sales, margin, labour, waste, conversion, and feedback
- Spot and deliver growth opportunities – events, new visitor experiences, developing the restaurant
- Maintain strong compliance across Health and Safety and HR processes – without central support
About you
- Proven senior management experience in hospitality, destination retail, tourism, or visitor attractions in a business of significant scale
- Good personal taste – we are keen to retain our reputation as one of the best places to have lunch, coffee or places to shop in the Highlands
- Commercial and operationally strong – confident with targets, standards, and efficiencies
- Calm, organised, and people-led – you set the tone and lead from the front
- Comfortable in a fast-paced, multi-revenue environment
- Based locally or willing to relocate to the Fort William area (or within commuting distance). Relocation packages possible.
To apply
Please send your CV and a letter outlining why you’re a fit for this role to archie@highlandsoaps.com. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
…