School Unit Manager in London

We're recruiting an experienced Catering Manager who is passionate about exceptional food and world‑class customer service, and who can confidently oversee all Compass Group UK&I catering and service operations for Chartwells on a full‑time basis, contracted to 37.5 hours per week. As a Catering Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring our kitchens and service counters run smoothly and helping to deliver truly incredible food experiences. In return, you’ll have the opportunity to progress your catering career with a company that invests in its people, celebrates individuality, and rewards and recognises employees who go beyond the plate.

Shift Pattern

• Mon: Full‑time (Days)
• Tues: Full‑time (Days)
• Weds: Full‑time (Days)
• Thurs: Full‑time (Days)
• Fri: Full‑time (Days)
• Sat:
• Sun:

Please note: This role is contracted to 43.6 weeks per year.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Preparing delicious food to the highest standards.
• Supervising our culinary and catering teams to ensure we continue to deliver impeccable food and customer service.
• Overseeing the efficiency of all in‑unit catering operations, including managing inventories, monitoring budgets, and implementing action plans.
• Communicating regularly with your line manager to monitor KPIs and targets.
• Representing Compass Group UK&I and maintaining a positive brand image.
• Identifying opportunities for new food or service concepts to drive sales.
• Liaising between customers and our culinary and service teams to ensure we continue to exceed expectations.
• Supporting and training our teams, leading from the front to make sure everyone can excel in their role.
• Implementing and reviewing Health & Safety standards to ensure compliance across all catering and service teams.

Our Ideal Catering Manager

• Be passionate about great‑tasting food and exceptional customer service.
• Have a minimum of two years of catering experience.
• Have experience managing teams in a similar role.
• Hold an NVQ Level 1 & 2 or City & Guilds 706/1 and 2.
• Hold a Basic Food Hygiene certificate.
• Demonstrate brilliant financial acumen.
• Have excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Be an ambitious and motivated individual who is always looking to upskill.

Part of Compass Group UK&I, Chartwells is the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector. For over a quarter of a century, Chartwells has been focusing on helping those in education to build strong bodies, sharp minds and lead long healthy lives. Every week, Chartwells serves millions of nutritious and delicious meals to pupils and students in primary and secondary schools, academies, independent schools, colleges, and universities across the UK. Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all employees to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and a Children’s Barred List check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and we ask applicants to declare all previous convictions and cautions in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

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!