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- Tasks: Supervise café operations and support your team in delivering excellent service.
- Company: Join the vibrant team at Whipsnade Zoo, where every day is an adventure.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, exclusive discounts, and a contributory pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for training and career development.
- Why this job: Lead a passionate team in a fun, fast-paced environment while making a difference.
- Qualifications: Previous supervisory experience in hospitality and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 27600 - 27600 £ per year.
Location: Whipsnade Zoo
Salary: £13.21 per hour
Contract: Fixed-term 6-month contract (part-time)
Hours: Minimum 24 hours per week, up to 5 days out of 7. Must be available to work weekends (with flexibility during peak periods).
We’re looking for a Catering Supervisor to join our team at Whipsnade Zoo, supporting the day-to-day running of our catering operations across site. This is a hands-on supervisory role, overseeing café service delivery, supporting the team, and ensuring smooth, consistent service across busy visitor periods. The role is centred on supervising front-of-house operations, supporting colleagues on shift, and ensuring high standards of service, cleanliness, and compliance are consistently met. You will work closely with the wider catering management team to ensure all outlets are operating efficiently and effectively. This position is ideal for someone with proven supervisory experience in a café, hospitality, or catering environment, who enjoys leading by example, working in a fast-paced setting, and maintaining high service standards.
Why Join Us?
- 20 days annual leave, excluding bank holidays (pro-rated for part-time roles)
- Free meals on duty
- Free on-site parking
- Exclusive travel discounts
- Access to wellness, mindfulness, and fitness classes
- Digital GP services for you and your family
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets
- Contributory pension scheme
- Career Pathways and MyLearning development programmes
- Training and development opportunities
Key Responsibilities
- Supervise daily café operations and support team performance on shift
- Ensure high standards of customer service, presentation, and cleanliness
- Support and motivate team members during busy service periods
- Assist with stock control, ordering, and waste reduction
- Ensure compliance with food safety, health & safety, and company procedures
- Handle customer queries and resolve issues professionally
- Support training and onboarding of new team members
Who We’re Looking For
- Previous supervisory experience in a café, restaurant, or catering environment (essential)
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- Confident working in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment
- Good organisational skills and attention to detail
- A positive, reliable team leader with a hands-on approach
- Basic food hygiene knowledge and understanding of food safety standards
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!
Catering Supervisor (6-month FTC) in Dunstable employer: Chartwells Independent
Contact Detail:
Chartwells Independent Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Supervisor (6-month FTC) in Dunstable
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out Whipsnade Zoo's social media and website. Understanding their vibe will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their community.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've led a team or handled a tough situation in a café or catering environment. We want to hear how you motivated your team during busy periods and maintained high service standards.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for situational questions! Prepare to discuss how you'd handle customer queries or resolve issues on the spot. Show us your problem-solving skills and how you keep the team focused during peak times.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're proactive and keen to join our team at Whipsnade Zoo. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Supervisor (6-month FTC) in Dunstable
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your supervisory experience in a café or catering environment. We want to see how you've led teams and maintained high service standards, so don’t hold back on those details!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the Catering Supervisor role at Whipsnade Zoo. Share your passion for customer service and any relevant experiences that showcase your leadership skills.
Show Off Your Personality: We love a bit of personality! When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role come through. We’re looking for someone who’s not just qualified but also a great fit for our team culture.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Independent
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards. Since this role involves supervising café operations, being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about maintaining high service standards.
✨Show Off Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your previous supervisory roles where you've successfully led a team during busy periods. Highlight how you motivated your colleagues and ensured smooth service, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Customer-Focused
Think of scenarios where you've handled customer queries or resolved issues effectively. Being able to demonstrate your commitment to excellent customer service will be key, especially in a fast-paced environment like Whipsnade Zoo.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the catering operations at Whipsnade Zoo. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to the team’s success right from the start.