At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to create delicious meals and ensure top-notch service in schools.
- Company: Join Chartwells, a leader in educational catering with a focus on health and nutrition.
- Benefits: Full-time hours, career progression, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and grow your career in a dynamic, inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives through exceptional food experiences.
- Qualifications: Two years of catering experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ 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 37 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.
School Catering Manager in Bedford employer: Chartwells
At Chartwells, part of Compass Group UK&I, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values individuality and invests in the growth of our employees. As a Catering Manager, you will enjoy a supportive work culture that encourages career progression, offers comprehensive training, and celebrates your contributions to delivering outstanding food experiences in the education sector. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling career in a dynamic environment dedicated to excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land School Catering Manager in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry, attend local events, and join relevant groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for food and customer service shine through. Share your ideas for new concepts or improvements – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand what makes Chartwells tick and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission. This shows you’re genuinely interested and not just looking for any job.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace School Catering Manager in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for great-tasting food shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your culinary skills and how you’ve delivered exceptional customer service in the past.
Highlight Your Experience:Make sure to detail your catering experience, especially any roles where you managed teams. We want to see how you've led others and ensured smooth operations in a busy kitchen environment.
Be Specific About Your Skills:Don’t just say you have excellent communication and organisational skills—give us examples! Whether it’s managing budgets or liaising with customers, show us how you’ve excelled in these areas.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, so don’t hesitate—get your application in today!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells
✨Know Your Menu
Before the interview, familiarise yourself with the types of food and service styles that Chartwells offers. Being able to discuss specific dishes or catering concepts will show your passion for great-tasting food and your understanding of their brand.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in previous roles. Highlight your experience in training and supporting staff, as well as any initiatives you've implemented to improve service or efficiency. This will demonstrate your capability to lead from the front.
✨Understand Financial Acumen
Brush up on your financial management skills. Be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets, monitored KPIs, and driven sales in past positions. Showing that you can handle the financial side of catering operations will set you apart.
✨Emphasise Customer Service Excellence
Prepare to share stories that illustrate your commitment to exceptional customer service. Discuss how you've gone above and beyond to exceed customer expectations, as this aligns perfectly with Chartwells' focus on delivering incredible food experiences.
