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- Tasks: Lead a team to create delicious meals and ensure top-notch service in schools.
- Company: Join Chartwells, a leader in catering for the education sector, serving millions weekly.
- Benefits: Enjoy career progression, recognition, and a supportive work culture focused on individuality.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives through food while developing your culinary skills.
- Qualifications: Must have 2+ years in catering, team management experience, and relevant qualifications.
- Other info: This role is full-time, contracted for 46 weeks a year, with a focus on health and safety.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
We are 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 35 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 will 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.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- 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 will:
- 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
Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects 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!
School Catering Manager - Dorset employer: Chartwells - Schools
Contact Detail:
Chartwells - Schools Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land School Catering Manager - Dorset
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Chartwells' values and mission. Understanding their commitment to exceptional food and customer service will help you align your experience and passion with what they are looking for in a Catering Manager.
✨Tip Number 2
Network within the catering industry, especially with professionals who have experience in school catering. They can provide insights into the role and may even refer you to opportunities at Chartwells.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in previous roles. Highlight specific examples where you improved service quality or team performance, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on current trends in school catering and nutrition. Being knowledgeable about healthy eating initiatives and how they can be implemented in schools will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace School Catering Manager - Dorset
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the key responsibilities and requirements for the Catering Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in catering and customer service.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your previous catering management experience, particularly any roles where you supervised teams or managed operations. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in food preparation and customer service.
Showcase Your Passion: Express your passion for exceptional food and customer service in your application. Mention any relevant qualifications, such as NVQ Level 1 & 2 or City & Guilds certifications, and how they contribute to your ability to excel in this role.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a managerial role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells - Schools
✨Show Your Passion for Food
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for great-tasting food and exceptional customer service during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've created memorable dining experiences in your previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Catering Manager, you'll be overseeing teams. Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing and training staff. Highlight any successful initiatives you've led that improved team performance or customer satisfaction.
✨Know Your Financials
Brush up on your financial acumen. Be ready to talk about how you've managed budgets, monitored costs, and implemented action plans to drive sales in your previous positions. This will show your potential employer that you can handle the financial aspects of the role.
✨Understand Health & Safety Standards
Familiarise yourself with health and safety regulations relevant to catering. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past roles and how you plan to maintain these standards in the new position.
