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- Tasks: Lead a vibrant catering operation across cafés and restaurants at Northumbria University.
- Company: Join Compass Group, a leader in food and beverage services.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, gym access, discounts, and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on student life while developing your management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing busy catering outlets and a passion for customer service.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values your unique talents and perspectives.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Catering Manager to lead a diverse catering operation across cafés, restaurants, retail outlets and hospitality services. This is a highly visible role, combining operational leadership, people development, commercial performance and client engagement in a fast‑paced university environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Leadership
- Manage day‑to‑day catering operations across cafés, restaurants, retail outlets and hospitality services.
- Ensure consistently high standards of food quality and customer service in line with Chartwells standards.
- Deliver menu implementation, promotions and seasonal offers in line with Compass Group guidelines.
- Work closely with peers, the Operations Manager and Contract Director to share best practice and build a strong, collaborative team culture.
- People Management
- Lead, coach and develop catering teams, creating a positive and inclusive working environment.
- Manage HR processes including rotas, performance reviews, return‑to‑work meetings and recruitment support.
- Ensure staffing levels meet operational demands while effectively managing labour costs.
- Process staff timesheets and payroll accurately and on time using company systems.
- Health, Safety & Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with food safety legislation, allergen management, HACCP and Health & Safety policies.
- Maintain excellent hygiene standards across all front‑ and back‑of‑house areas.
- Carry out regular audits and implement corrective actions where required.
- Promote a strong health and safety culture, including PPE and process compliance.
- Financial & Commercial Performance
- Manage budgets, forecasting, stock control and cost efficiencies to achieve financial targets.
- Analyse sales data and introduce initiatives to drive revenue and increase student and staff engagement.
- Manage supplier relationships, ordering processes and waste‑reduction initiatives.
- Support the senior team to deliver strong commercial outcomes and an outstanding customer experience.
- Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain strong relationships with university partners, student representatives and internal Compass stakeholders.
- Attend and lead regular team and peer meetings.
- Respond effectively to customer feedback, escalating where appropriate.
- Support university events, open days and bespoke hospitality requirements.
About You
- Essential
- Proven experience managing a large, busy retail catering outlet or multiple outlets.
- Strong commitment to delivering excellent customer service.
- Passion for creating and sustaining a positive team culture.
- Organised, pragmatic and able to adapt to changing priorities.
- Solid understanding of line management and HR processes.
- Ability to work under pressure while maintaining attention to detail.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- You’ll Also Be
- A natural people‑person, confident engaging with students and senior stakeholders alike.
- A role model for honesty, respect and fairness.
- Commercially aware, with experience managing budgets and driving revenue.
- Flexible and adaptable within a dynamic university environment.
- Desirable
- Experience using OurTime or a similar system.
- Background in contract catering or large operational teams.
- Strong interest in food & beverage, retail and events.
Benefits
- Free meals.
- Free on‑site gym.
- Free on‑site swimming pool access.
- 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.
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 Manager - Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Chartwells - Universities
Contact Detail:
Chartwells - Universities Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Manager - Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and hospitality industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. 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 your work or any achievements in catering management, bring it along to interviews. It’s a great way to demonstrate your experience and passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how you’d handle various scenarios in a fast-paced environment. Practising your responses can help you feel more confident and ready to impress.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets noticed by the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Manager - Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Catering Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience, customer service skills, and any relevant achievements in catering or hospitality.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Share specific examples of your past successes in managing catering operations and engaging with clients.
Showcase Your People Skills: Since this role is all about leading teams and engaging with students and stakeholders, make sure to highlight your interpersonal skills. We want to see how you've built positive team cultures and handled customer feedback in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people and shows us you're serious about joining our team at Northumbria University!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells - Universities
✨Know Your Catering Operations
Familiarise yourself with the specific catering operations at Northumbria University. Research their cafés, restaurants, and hospitality services to understand their offerings and standards. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show how you can contribute to maintaining high food quality and customer service.
✨Showcase Your People Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led and developed teams in previous roles. Highlight your experience with HR processes like performance reviews and recruitment. Be ready to discuss how you create a positive team culture and manage staffing levels effectively.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Brush up on your budgeting and financial management skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed budgets, driven revenue, and implemented cost efficiencies in past roles. Showing that you can analyse sales data and introduce initiatives will set you apart.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've built relationships with clients and stakeholders in the past. Prepare to share examples of how you've responded to feedback and collaborated with others to enhance customer experiences. This is crucial in a university environment where engagement is key.
