SAM HUGHES
Poole,Dorset
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive expertise in leadership and team management, overseeing teams of 40+ staff. Proven track record in recruitment, coaching, and mentoring to drive performance management and commercial success. Skilled in account management, sales, and fostering strong customer relationships to enhance profit and loss margins. Adept at operations, stock control, budget management, and staff rotas to optimise efficiency. Strong problem-solving abilities complemented by effective supplier relationships. Committed to leveraging skills for continued growth and excellence in the industry.
Overview
7
7
years of post-secondary education
18
18
years of professional experience
Work history
Sales Manager
Casa Di Vini
2025.09 - 2026.07
- Identified and developed new business opportunities, contributing to overall sales growth.
- Grew existing customer spend through regular account reviews and product recommendations.
- Cultivated strong relationships with existing customers to enhance loyalty and increase repeat business.
- Managed relationships with restaurants, hotels and hospitality businesses to drive customer satisfaction and retention.
- Increased customer engagement through regular account visits.
- Advised customers on wine, food and product selection using WSET knowledge.
- Worked with premium Italian wine and food suppliers.
Head Chef
Rick Stein Sandbanks
Poole, Dorset
2016.06 - 2025.03
- Delivered consistently high food standards.
- Managed high-volume service in a nationally recognised restaurant.
- Led kitchen teams of over 40 employees.
- Trained and developed junior chefs into senior positions.
- Collaborated with front-of-house management to enhance guest satisfaction metrics.
- Oversaw labour budgets and stock control to ensure operational efficiency.
- Maintained food GP and labour costs in line with budget.
- Managed kitchen operations during peak trading periods.
- Managed ordering and supplier relationships.
- Coordinated recruitment, onboarding, and performance reviews.
- Performed comprehensive internal health and safety audits to assess compliance with regulations..
- Cultivated a culture prioritising quality, consistency, and staff development.
Chef De Partie
The Dorchester Hotel London – The Grill, The Promenade, Opened The Grill (Alain Ducasse)
London, City of London
2014.03 - 2016.05
Demi Chef De Partie
Boodles Gentlemen’s Club
London, City of London
2009.01 - 2014.02
Education
GCSE -
Ashdown Technology College
Poole 2004.09 - 2008.07
NVQ Level 2 & 3 - Professional Cookery
Academy of Culinary Arts Specialised chef Programme, Poole and Bournemouth Catering College
Bournemouth, England 2008.09 - 2011.07
Skills
- Leadership
- Team Management (40 staff)
- Recruitment
- Coaching & Mentoring
- Performance Management
- Commercial
- Account Management
- Sales
- Customer Relationships
- Profit & Loss
- Margin Management
- Operations
- Stock Control
- Budget Management
- Staff Rotas
- Supplier Relationships
- Problem Solving
- Client relationship building
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
- Second Runner up, CSMA Culinary Catering Competition
- Finalist, Association of London clubs Culinary Catering Competition
- First aid at work Valid until 4th July 2027
- WSET LEVEL 2 in Wines 74% (Merit)
Career Highlights
- 16+ years leadership experience
- Managed teams of 40+ staff
- Successfully transitioned from hospitality into commercial sales
- WSET Level 2 (Merit)
- Strong experience managing P&L and operational performance
- Built long-term customer relationships across hospitality
- Internal Auditing (Health and Safety).
Timeline
Sales Manager
Casa Di Vini
2025.09 - 2026.07
Head Chef
Rick Stein Sandbanks
2016.06 - 2025.03
Chef De Partie
The Dorchester Hotel London – The Grill, The Promenade, Opened The Grill (Alain Ducasse)
2014.03 - 2016.05
Demi Chef De Partie
Boodles Gentlemen’s Club
2009.01 - 2014.02
NVQ Level 2 & 3 - Professional Cookery
Academy of Culinary Arts Specialised chef Programme, Poole and Bournemouth Catering College
2008.09 - 2011.07
GCSE -
Ashdown Technology College
2004.09 - 2008.07