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- Tasks: Lead the catering team, ensuring quality meals and excellent service for students and staff.
- Company: Join Holroyd Howe, a top UK contract caterer focused on innovative food services for schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, discounts, free meals, and bespoke training opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive environment that values quality, service, and culinary innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality, strong communication skills, and a positive attitude are essential.
- Other info: This role requires an Enhanced DBS check due to working with children.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Company Description
Location: RGS Guildford, Guildford, Surrey
Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 52 weeks per year (with limited out-of-term operations)
Why Join Us?
- 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- 3 volunteering days to give back to causes you care about
- 3 days grandparent leave for special family moments
- 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave
- Bespoke training & development opportunities
- Pension & life insurance
- Discounts on high street brands, cinema & holidays via the Perkbox App
- Wellbeing hub & access to employee assistance programme
- Free meals while at work
- Career development & HIT Apprenticeships for all experience levels
We are looking for a passionate and proactive Deputy General Manager to help lead the food operation at RGS Guildford, a top independent day school known for excellence and innovation. You will support the General Manager in overseeing a talented catering team, ensuring the smooth delivery of fresh, seasonal, and nutritious meals for pupils, staff, and guests. The role includes some involvement in hospitality and events, particularly during term time, with a reduced operation outside of term.
This is a great opportunity for someone with a food-led background and a hands-on approach, who thrives in a supportive environment where quality and service come first. If you are ready to bring your leadership and operational expertise to a rewarding and prestigious setting, we would love to hear from you.
Job Description
The Deputy General Manager will be supporting the GM in overseeing the overall catering operation by creating and maintaining standards while driving sales and building relationships with the client.
- Supervision and Training: Recruit, train, and supervise catering team, including servers, chefs, and support personnel. Set clear expectations and provide ongoing feedback to maintain a high level of performance.
- Quality Control: Monitor food quality, presentation, and service standards to ensure they meet or exceed customer expectations. Address and resolve any issues or concerns promptly to ensure customer satisfaction.
- Logistics Management: Oversee the flow of events and on-site Cafe Bar and Restaurant, including food service, beverage distribution, and guest interactions. Manage inventory and order supplies as needed to maintain adequate stock levels working closely with the back of house and manager on site.
- Customer Service: Foster positive relationships with clients and guests, addressing their needs and concerns. Handle customer inquiries, requests, and special dietary requirements with professionalism and courtesy. Be curious, solicit feedback from clients to continuously improve catering services.
Qualifications
- A strong background in large scale hospitality events, banquets and sit down dinners
- Excellent product knowledge (food/beverage)
- Experience in F&B operations
- A positive demeanour and attitude to solve problems
- Leads by example by acting professionally at all times
- Excellent communication skills
- Takes the initiative
- Good time management
- Supportive / Team player
- Good presentation skills
- Excellent customer care skills
Holroyd Howe is one of the UK's leading contract caterers, providing fresh innovative food services solely to independent schools and colleges. We are a team of experienced professionals who tailor our catering service provision specifically to suit children of all ages in order to meet the bespoke requirements of each school.
To provide our teams with the right skills to succeed in their jobs, we invest in their training and development. Our exceptional teams of seasoned specialists customise our catering services to fit children of all ages and satisfy the unique needs of our clients.
We pride ourselves on:
- Sustainability: Sustainability is at the heart of our thinking; always mindful of the ethics of our sourcing and how we prepare our meals.
- Nutrition: We take nutrition seriously and understand the impact a healthy diet has on the fundamental years of development. Meals are always freshly prepared from scratch and packed with nutritious ingredients.
- Food Innovation: We offer a wide portfolio of training opportunities and experiences, which attracts chefs who are passionate about culinary excellence and menu innovation to our team. From tasting tables, theme days and food theatre, to chef demonstrations and supplier showcases, we create engaging and fun dining experiences for our students. We work together to make mealtimes exploratory, quirky, and fun for our pupils, helping them build strong and healthy relationships with food.
Holroyd Howe is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all employees to share this commitment. All roles within Holroyd Howe involve regulated activity. It is a criminal offence for individuals barred from working with children to apply for such roles. An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a Barred List check will be required for all successful applicants. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide information about relevant criminal offences and will be subject to an online search of publicly available information. This search helps identify any issues that may affect suitability to work with children. This appointment is offered on the return of satisfactory professional references.
Deputy General Manager - England employer: Holroyd Howe
Contact Detail:
Holroyd Howe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy General Manager - England
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific catering needs of independent schools. Research RGS Guildford and understand their values, especially around nutrition and sustainability, to show that you align with their mission during your interactions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network within the hospitality and catering industry, particularly with professionals who have experience in educational settings. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your hands-on experience in food operations and large-scale events. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and improved service quality in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your leadership style by being proactive in conversations. Show that you can lead by example and foster a positive team environment, which is crucial for the Deputy General Manager role.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy General Manager - England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in large scale hospitality events and food and beverage operations. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to manage a catering team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food service and your proactive approach. Mention how your background aligns with the values of Holroyd Howe, particularly in sustainability and nutrition.
Highlight Customer Service Skills: In your application, emphasise your excellent customer care skills and your ability to foster positive relationships with clients and guests. Provide examples of how you've handled customer inquiries or special dietary requirements in the past.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Holroyd Howe
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Deputy General Manager, you'll be expected to lead a team. Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences, how you motivate your team, and any specific examples of how you've successfully managed staff in a catering or hospitality environment.
✨Demonstrate Your Food Knowledge
Given the role's focus on food quality and service standards, it's crucial to show your understanding of food and beverage operations. Be ready to talk about your experience with menu planning, sourcing ingredients, and ensuring nutritional standards are met.
✨Emphasise Customer Service Excellence
Customer satisfaction is key in this role. Prepare to share examples of how you've handled customer inquiries or complaints in the past, and how you ensure a positive dining experience for guests and clients.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and time management skills. Think of scenarios where you've had to manage logistics during events or resolve issues quickly, and be ready to explain your thought process and actions.
