At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead catering operations and deliver exceptional guest experiences across multiple venues.
- Company: Dynamic hospitality leader in a fast-paced events environment.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, time off in lieu, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant team and make a real impact on high-profile events.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in large-scale hospitality with strong leadership and communication skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape catering strategy and develop a passionate team.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced hospitality leader who thrives in high-volume, fast-paced environments? We are 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 will 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 are 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.
Locations
Catering Operations Manager in Bath, Somerset employer: Blue Arrow
Contact Detail:
Blue Arrow Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Operations Manager in Bath, Somerset
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the hospitality industry and let them know you're on the lookout for a Catering Operations Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity that’s not even advertised yet!
✨Tip Number 2
Get social! Follow companies you’re interested in on LinkedIn and engage with their posts. This can help you get noticed and show your enthusiasm for their brand, which is super important in the hospitality sector.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions specific to catering and events management. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the job description. We want you to shine when it comes to showcasing your leadership and operational skills!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us!
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Operations Manager in Bath, Somerset
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Catering Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in high-volume environments and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about catering and events. Share specific examples of how you've driven service standards and revenue growth in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We’re looking for someone who can lead large teams effectively. In your application, mention any relevant experiences where you’ve developed team members or managed staff during busy events. This will help us see your potential as a leader!
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 shows us you’re keen on joining the StudySmarter team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Arrow
✨Know Your Catering Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you understand the catering strategy of the company you're applying to. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to driving service standards and revenue growth.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership abilities, especially in high-pressure environments. Discuss how you've successfully managed large teams and delivered exceptional results at previous events, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Financially Savvy
Brush up on your knowledge of labour budgets and F&B cost controls. Be prepared to talk about how you've managed costs effectively in past roles and how you plan to maintain financial awareness in this new position.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Since this role requires a high level of organisation, come equipped with examples of how you've planned and executed successful events. Discuss your approach to managing rotas, staffing levels, and operational oversight to ensure everything runs smoothly.