At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage café operations, ensuring top-notch service and food excellence.
- Company: Join a dynamic water company focused on transforming park cafes.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus scheme, private healthcare, and flexible benefits.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting redevelopment and make a real impact on visitor experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in food preparation, customer service, and team leadership required.
- Other info: Great opportunities for personal development and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Grafham Water and Brixworth
Salary: Competitive
We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Chef Manager/Catering Operations Manager to join our team! You will be joining at an extremely exciting time, as we embark on a transformational redevelopment of our park cafes at both Grafham Water and Brixworth Country Park.
Initially overseeing and getting ‘hands on’ in the operational management of the two cafes at Grafham Water, one of which is undergoing a large refurbishment, you will be the pinnacle leader delivering an ambitious level of hospitality and service. Working closely with the Park Manager and Area Catering Manager you will lead your team to food excellence, deliver a high quality service and manage a safe café environment.
You will expertly manage our daily catering facility operations ensuring all front and back of house, stock ordering, kitchen safety, staff rotas and staff processes are managed in line with legislative and company hygiene and health and safety procedures.
As a customer facing motivational team leader, this job will require excellent interpersonal and team leadership skills. You will quickly become an expert in our activities, tailoring our catering offer to exceed our visitor expectations and meet ambitious targets. This is a role that will see you coordinate activities throughout the park, including catering for events, formal dinners, regular buffets in our meeting space and maybe a wedding or two.
We expect that you will put the customer and safety first and will demonstrate this by being an active part of the operational rotas at peak times. You’ll be part of the parks management team and will need to be flexible as you will be required to work weekends and shifts, deputising and working with other park teams to deliver an all-round exceptional customer experience.
As the new catering facilities at Grafham Water are embedded, the expectation is that you will take on the operational management of the Brixworth Park Bistro where ambitious refurbishment plans are in development. There is huge scope for personal development in this role as we grow our facilities, teams and take on new opportunities.
What does it take to be our Chef Manager/Catering Operations Manager?
- Demonstrable experience of Food preparation, development & legislation
- Customer Service Experience
- Line Management and team leadership experience
- Knowledge of the Grafham and Pitsford Water and the activities we offer
- Experience of the wedding industry
Qualifications and Experience:
- Diverse experience in fresh food gained through a number of related roles
- City & Guilds 706 1&2 or NVQ level 2 or 3 or equivalent knowledge
- Proven excellence in manager role
- ISOH Managing Safely
- Team Development
- Food Hygiene Level 3
Skills Needed:
- Excellent knowledge of food production utilising fresh ingredients.
- Versatile craft skills in all areas
- Understanding and Management of cost controls in all areas
- Customer focused in line with the business development needs
- Fully conversant with operating a efficient hygienic kitchen.
- Quality Driven
- Reliability
- Flexibility
- Craft Passion
- Building partnerships
- Ambitious
- Calm under pressure
- A ‘hands on’ approach to management
- Administration & Microsoft IT skills
What benefits do we offer?
Being a successful water company doesn’t come easy! Our people are important to us and we want to make sure that we reward and recognise all of the great work that they do. Some of our benefits include:
- Bonus scheme
- Private health care
- Competitive pension scheme
- 25 annual leave rising with length of service
- Flexible benefits to support your wellbeing
- Plus lots more!
We are passionate and committed to the learning and development of our people making sure they have the right skills and knowledge to be successful and to help achieve their potential. We also take Health and Safety very seriously in everything that we do.
If you are offered a job with us, you’ll be subject to the relevant/standard employment checks, including: your right to work in the UK, reference, driving licence and identity check. Depending on your role, you may also be subject to further pre-employment checks.
Chef Manager/Catering Operations Manager in Huntingdon employer: Anglian Water Services
Contact Detail:
Anglian Water Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chef Manager/Catering Operations Manager in Huntingdon
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Grafham Water and Brixworth. Understanding their values and what they stand for will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your hands-on experience! As a Chef Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead a team and manage operations. Be ready to share specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully managed kitchen operations or led a team to deliver exceptional service.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think about how you would handle peak times or unexpected challenges in the kitchen. Being calm under pressure is key, so have a few scenarios in mind where you’ve successfully navigated tough situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, show your enthusiasm by asking about the future plans for the cafes or how the team collaborates during events. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Chef Manager/Catering Operations Manager in Huntingdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and catering shine through! Share your experiences and what excites you about the culinary world. We want to see that you're not just looking for a job, but that you're genuinely passionate about delivering exceptional dining experiences.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Chef Manager role. Mention specific examples of your leadership in previous roles and how you've successfully managed catering operations. This will help us see why you're the perfect fit for our team!
Highlight Team Leadership Skills: As a Chef Manager, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to showcase your interpersonal and team leadership skills. Share stories of how you've motivated teams in the past and created a positive work environment. We love seeing candidates who can inspire others!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us that you're keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Anglian Water Services
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
As a Chef Manager, you’ll need to impress with your knowledge of food preparation and legislation. Familiarise yourself with the menu items, sourcing of ingredients, and any special dietary requirements. This will show your passion for food and your commitment to delivering excellence.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in previous roles. Highlight your interpersonal skills and how you motivate your team to achieve high standards. Be ready to discuss how you handle challenges and ensure a safe working environment.
✨Demonstrate Customer Focus
Think about how you can exceed visitor expectations. Prepare to share specific instances where you’ve gone above and beyond for customers. This role is all about creating exceptional experiences, so be ready to discuss your approach to customer service.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Expect to face practical questions or scenarios during the interview. They might ask how you would handle a busy service or manage stock levels. Think through your processes and be prepared to demonstrate your hands-on management style.