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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead catering operations and ensure top-notch food quality and customer service.
- Company: Join Chartwells Universities, part of Compass Group, a leader in the catering industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, pension scheme, discounts on travel and groceries, and wellness classes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial contract catering and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and grow with a company that values your unique talents.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Apply for the Catering Operations Manager role at Chartwells Universities.
Benefits
- 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
More About the Role
- Operational Leadership: Oversee day-to-day catering operations across multiple outlets. Ensure consistent high standards in food quality, presentation, and customer service. Lead and manage catering teams including chefs, supervisors, and front-of-house staff.
- Strategic Development: Develop and enhance the catering offer to meet customer expectations and market. Implement sustainability initiatives and align with university values and strategies. Drive innovation in menus, service models, and customer engagement.
- Financial & Business Management: Manage budgets, control costs, and achieve financial targets (e.g., gross profit margins, wage-to-turnover ratios). Prepare business plans and monthly P&L reports. Ensure compliance with food safety, health & safety, and other relevant legislation.
- Customer Experience: Champion a customer-centric culture. Use feedback and data to improve services. Support university events, VIP functions, and large-scale hospitality.
- Staff Development: Recruit, train, and develop catering staff. Conduct performance reviews and implement training plans. Foster teamwork, motivation, and high performance.
Who You Are
- Your key responsibilities will include:
- To be responsible for the overall efficient and effective management of the contract to ensure great quality, consistent food and beverage services across all areas.
- To maintain positive client relationships ensuring smooth planning of the contract and resources to deliver a first-class service to our clients and customers.
- To be responsible for the management, recruitment, development and training of team members.
- To ensure the contract is fully compliant with company policies and procedures.
- To deliver on the agreed financial budget and run commercially in line with net income and cost targets.
- Have experience in a commercial contract catering setting.
About Us
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!
Catering Operations Manager employer: Chartwells Universities
Contact Detail:
Chartwells Universities Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the catering industry, especially those at Chartwells or similar companies. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews – you never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio of past catering events or projects, make sure to have it ready. Bring it along to interviews or share it during networking chats. It’s a great way to demonstrate your operational leadership and creativity in catering.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by researching Chartwells’ values and recent initiatives. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their sustainability goals and enhance customer experience. Tailoring your answers to align with their mission will definitely make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we often have exclusive roles listed there that you won’t find anywhere else. So, get your application in and let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Catering Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing catering teams, overseeing operations, and driving customer satisfaction. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
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 how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention any innovative ideas you have for enhancing our catering services.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Catering Operations Manager, leadership is key. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully led teams, managed budgets, and improved service quality. We love to see candidates who can inspire and motivate others!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s quick and easy, plus you'll get all the latest updates on your application status. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Universities
✨Know Your Catering Operations
Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities of a Catering Operations Manager. Understand the day-to-day operations, customer service standards, and how to manage a team effectively. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the role during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your experience in training and developing staff, as well as how you've fostered a positive work environment. This is crucial for a role that involves managing chefs and front-of-house staff.
✨Understand Financial Management
Brush up on your financial management skills, especially regarding budgets and P&L reports. Be ready to discuss how you've managed costs and achieved financial targets in previous roles. This will show that you can handle the business side of catering operations.
✨Emphasise Customer-Centric Approach
Be prepared to talk about how you've championed customer experience in your previous positions. Use specific examples of how you've used feedback to improve services or enhance customer engagement. This aligns perfectly with the role's focus on delivering exceptional service.
