At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead multiple catering outlets, ensuring high standards and customer satisfaction.
- Company: Join Compass Group, a leader in the catering industry with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, discounts, wellness classes, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with excellent growth potential and a focus on inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on campus life while growing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- Free meals
- Subsidised car parking
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Unwind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
As Group Manager, you will hold full responsibility for the operational delivery and performance of multiple catering outlets across a busy university campus. You will lead safe, compliant, commercially focused and customer‑centric operations, ensuring consistently high standards across all areas of the business. The role encompasses responsibility for financial performance, labour management, staffing, customer experience, food safety compliance, stock control, hospitality, vending and event operations. You will ensure seamless service delivery within a diverse, high‑volume and fast‑paced environment while driving operational excellence and continuous improvement. You will organise and supervise all catering operations in accordance with Compass Group UK & Ireland standards, contractual requirements and statutory regulations, ensuring the efficient and effective management of all resources, including people, stock and company assets.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Leadership
- Lead and manage the day‑to‑day operation of multiple catering outlets across campus
- Ensure all services are delivered safely, efficiently and to agreed company and client standards
- Drive operational consistency, customer satisfaction and commercial performance
- Ensure all hospitality and event catering is delivered to the highest standard
- Support vending and retail operations to maximise service delivery and revenue opportunities
- Client Relationship Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with university stakeholders and clients
- Ensure all contractual obligations are fully understood and consistently delivered
- Communicate regularly with clients and respond proactively to operational feedback
- Implement action plans following client satisfaction surveys
- Act as a positive ambassador for Compass Group at all times
- Financial & Commercial Management
- Manage all site costs effectively, including labour, food, consumables and operational expenditure
- Deliver labour schedules in line with budget and business requirements
- Minimise agency usage and overtime spend through effective workforce planning
- Monitor gross profit performance and ensure purchasing compliance targets are achieved
- Analyse sales trends and identify opportunities to improve revenue and profitability
- Ensure accurate completion of financial and operational reporting
- Customer Experience & Retail Standards
- Ensure all retail and catering areas are fully stocked, presented and operating to high standards
- Deliver excellent customer service across all outlets and hospitality services
- Support and implement company promotions and marketing initiatives
- Ensure products are correctly priced and aligned with company and client requirements
- Act on customer feedback to continuously improve the consumer experience
- Food Safety, Health & Safety & Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with all food safety, health & safety and statutory regulations
- Maintain accurate training records and ensure all team members complete required training
- Investigate and report incidents appropriately, implementing corrective actions where required
- Conduct regular compliance checks and audits across all operational areas
- Promote a strong health & safety culture across the business
- People Management
- Lead, motivate and develop teams to deliver operational excellence
- Ensure all team members are trained, supported and understand their responsibilities
- Manage recruitment, onboarding, succession planning and performance management
- Conduct regular team briefings and encourage engagement through initiatives such as Your Voice
- Monitor labour turnover and absenteeism, implementing action plans where necessary
- Create a positive, inclusive and high‑performing team culture
Skills & Experience
- Proven experience managing successful catering operations within a similar environment
- Experience leading and developing teams within a high‑volume operation
- Strong financial and commercial acumen
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Good understanding of food safety and health & safety legislation
- IT literate with experience using operational and financial systems
- Minimum of 2 years’ catering management experience
- NVQ Level 1 & 2 or City & Guilds 706/1 and 2 Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
Desirable
- Experience within a university or education catering environment
- Strong knowledge of food production methods and operational procedures
- Experience managing hospitality and event catering
- Self‑motivated with the ability to adapt within a changing environment
- Good culinary knowledge and chef skills
Key Behaviours
- Results driven with strong attention to detail
- Customer focused with a passion for service excellence
- Positive and proactive approach to leadership
- Strong organisational and problem‑solving skills
- Ability to hold teams accountable while supporting development
- Collaborative team player with the ability to build strong working relationships
As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
Group Manager - University of Kent in Canterbury employer: Chartwells Independent
At Compass Group UK & Ireland, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a comprehensive benefits package that includes free meals, subsidised car parking, and exclusive discounts. Our vibrant work culture fosters personal and professional growth through initiatives like Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes, ensuring you thrive in your role as Group Manager at the University of Kent while enjoying a supportive environment that values diversity and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Manager - University of Kent in Canterbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to current employees at the University of Kent. You never know who might help you land that interview!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the University of Kent and understand their values and operations. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in managing catering operations. Practice common interview questions and have your own ready to show your interest.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! As a Group Manager, you’ll need to lead teams effectively. Be ready to share examples of how you've motivated and developed teams in the past. Highlight your ability to drive operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Compass family. Keep an eye on the job listings and apply as soon as you see a fit!
We think you need these skills to ace Group Manager - University of Kent in Canterbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Group Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing catering operations and how it aligns with our values at StudySmarter. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Group Manager, you'll be leading teams, so don’t forget to mention your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've motivated and developed teams in high-pressure environments. We love seeing candidates who can inspire others!
Demonstrate Financial Acumen:Since financial management is key in this role, make sure to include any relevant experience you have with budgeting, cost control, and revenue improvement. We want to know how you can help us maximise our operational performance!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our amazing benefits package there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Independent
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of Group Manager and the specific responsibilities it entails. Familiarise yourself with Compass Group's values and how they align with your own experience in catering management.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in leading teams and managing operations. Share specific examples of how you've motivated staff, improved customer satisfaction, or driven financial performance in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since financial management is key for this role, come ready to talk about your experience with budgeting, cost control, and revenue generation. Highlight any successful strategies you've implemented to improve profitability in past positions.
✨Engage with Client Relationships
The ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders is crucial. Think of examples where you've successfully managed client expectations or responded to feedback. This will show your proactive approach to client relationship management.
