General Manager

General Manager

Location: West Sussex, England (between Crawley, Horsham, and Haywards Heath).

Salary: £50-52,000 per annum + benefits!

Benefits:

• £50-£52,000 salary
• 28 days holiday, including bank holidays
• 3 volunteering days
• 3 days grandparent leave
• 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave
• Bespoke training and development opportunities
• Pension and life insurance
• Discounts available through Perkbox app (high street shops, holidays, cinema)
• Wellbeing hub & access to employee assistance programme
• Free meals while at work
• Career development opportunities and HIT Apprenticeships for all experience levels

A thriving co-educational independent prep school for pupils aged 2–13 is seeking an experienced General Manager to oversee its catering services. Set in a beautiful rural location within commuting distance of Crawley, Horsham, and Haywards Heath, this is a busy and varied operation providing meals for around 400 pupils and staff daily, along with regular hospitality events and school functions.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking and supportive school environment, delivering high-quality food and service with a strong focus on fresh, seasonal produce and a whole-school approach to wellbeing and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the day-to-day catering service including pupil and staff meals, events, and hospitality.
• Lead, motivate, and develop the on-site catering team, ensuring consistently high standards of food and service.
• Manage budgets, ordering, stock control, and compliance with food safety and health & safety regulations.
• Collaborate with school leadership and support a positive client relationship with regular communication and planning.

Ideal Candidate:

• Experienced in managing a catering operation, ideally within the independent education or B&I sector.
• A natural leader with a passion for food, people, and service excellence.
• Financially astute, able to manage cost controls and drive efficiencies.
• Strong interpersonal and organisational skills, with a flexible and proactive approach.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential due to the rural location of the school.