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- Tasks: Lead dynamic catering operations and deliver exceptional guest experiences across multiple venues.
- Company: Join a vibrant hospitality team in a fast-paced events environment.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by managing high-profile events and leading passionate teams.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in large-scale hospitality with strong leadership and communication skills.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture that values diversity and career development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced hospitality leader who thrives in high-volume, fast-paced environments? We're looking for a dynamic Catering & Events Operations Manager to oversee all catering operations - including in-house teams, third-party concessions, race day mobilisation, events delivery and F&B performance - across a busy, multi-venue leisure and events setting. This is a hands-on, strategic role leading large teams and high-profile events, with a focus on driving service standards, revenue growth, and exceptional guest experiences.
What you'll be doing:
- Deliver and execute the catering strategy across multiple venues.
- Lead and develop all catering teams on site, ensuring top-tier food and service quality.
- Plan and manage rotas, staffing levels and labour budgets for all events.
- Work closely with sales and business teams to plan catering for racing and non-racing events.
- Take ownership of high-volume operations, delivering exceptional results for key clients.
- Manage variable labour and F&B cost controls across hospitality, retail, kitchens and bars.
- Support and develop team members through structured PDPs and regular reviews.
- Help shape a unified catering and events strategy that maximises revenue and commercial opportunities.
- Develop retail operations, brand presence and menu/offer across all venues.
- Collaborate with chefs, site leaders and support teams to deliver consistent F&B standards.
- Lead training initiatives focused on customer service, product knowledge and operational excellence.
- Support recruitment, reduce agency reliance and build a stable, engaged casual workforce.
- Maintain financial awareness, analyse reports and take action to improve performance.
- Ensure venues operate at the highest standard through daily checks and operational oversight.
- Coordinate all administrative, operational and planning tasks for race days and events.
What success looks like:
- Strong control of labour budgets.
- Improved staff recruitment & retention.
- Reduced agency usage.
- Increased spend per head across F&B areas.
- Consistent delivery of service excellence.
- Positive guest, owner & trainer feedback.
What we're looking for:
Essential:
- Minimum 5 years' experience in large-scale leisure, sport or event environments (3,000+ guests).
- High-volume hospitality background - conferencing, banqueting, restaurants, hotels or stadium events.
- Strong leadership, communication and client management skills.
- Experience managing large teams and delivering multi-site or multi-faceted events.
- Proven ability to manage labour costs and deliver to budget.
- Highly organised, process-driven, calm under pressure.
- Commercially astute with strong IT and business systems skills.
- Excellent decision-maker and people developer.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable:
- Personal licence holder.
- Business/Event Management Degree.
- IOSH Managing Safely.
- GCSEs in Maths & English (C or above).
Hours:
Flexible to meet the needs of events, including evenings and weekends. Time off in lieu is provided.
Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.
Catering Operations Manager in Bristol employer: Blue Arrow - Maidstone
Contact Detail:
Blue Arrow - Maidstone Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Operations Manager in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the hospitality industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential employers directly. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your experience! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or recruiters, highlight your hands-on experience in high-volume environments. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and improved service standards – this will make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a company you’re keen on, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out and express your interest in working with them. Sometimes, creating your own opportunity can lead to amazing results.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. By applying directly, you’ll ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Operations Manager in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your experience in large-scale hospitality environments. We want to see how you've thrived in high-volume settings and managed big teams, so don’t hold back on those details!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to tailor your application to the specific role. Use keywords from the job description to show us you understand what we're looking for and how you fit into our vision.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read, so make sure to organise your thoughts and avoid unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Arrow - Maidstone
✨Know Your Catering Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you understand the catering strategy of the company you're applying to. Familiarise yourself with their past events and how they manage high-volume operations. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're ready to take ownership of their catering operations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led large teams in fast-paced environments. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you motivated your team to deliver exceptional service. This will highlight your leadership capabilities and your ability to drive service standards.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Brush up on your understanding of labour budgets and cost controls. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed these aspects in previous roles. Showing that you can maintain financial awareness and improve performance will set you apart as a candidate who can contribute to revenue growth.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, don't just answer questions—engage with your interviewers. Ask them about their current challenges in catering operations and share your thoughts on potential solutions. This shows that you're proactive and genuinely interested in the role, making a positive impression.
