Assistant Catering Manager in Derry, Londonderry

Want to develop your career with the world’s leading food service management company? Compass Group, the leading foodservice and hospitality provider across the Island of Ireland, is seeking an Assistant Manager to join its team on a permanent, full-time contract (37.5 hours per week) at Ulster University, Derry/Londonderry.

This role suits a motivated hospitality professional who enjoys leading teams and delivering high service standards. Working closely with the General Manager and onsite team, you will support smooth daily operations, strong client relationships, and excellent service delivery. The role offers a predominantly Monday to Friday, daytime schedule, with occasional evening or weekend work.

Key Responsibilities

As Assistant Manager, you will support the General Manager in leading, motivating, and developing the catering team to deliver high service standards. You will assist in planning and overseeing food service and hospitality activities in line with contractual requirements, while supporting recruitment, training, and development of team members to promote a strong customer-focused culture.

You will act as a key support contact for the client, helping to build effective working relationships. The role also involves supporting sales growth through local marketing initiatives, assisting with budget control and financial targets, and ensuring full compliance with Health & Safety, Food Safety, and company policies. You will support sustainability initiatives, including food waste reduction and Net Zero commitments, while monitoring KPIs and contributing to continuous improvement and operational efficiency.

Essential Criteria

Previous supervisory or junior management experience within a catering, hospitality, or food service environment

A minimum of one year’s experience in a similar Assistant Manager or supervisory role

Strong people management, communication, and organisational skills

Good working knowledge of Health & Safety and Food Safety requirements in a service environment

Experience working in a fast-paced operational setting such as hospitality, catering, retail, or facilities management

Commercial awareness, including experience supporting budget control and cost management

A clear focus on operational delivery and team performance (this is not a hands-on cooking role)

A strong customer and client service focus, with a commitment to delivering high service standards

Desirable Criteria

The following experience would be advantageous, though not essential:

Experience working within hotels, corporate events, and/or licensed premises

Experience supporting sustainability initiatives or food waste reduction programs

Exposure to marketing, promotional, or customer engagement activities

A genuine interest in food, service quality, and continuous improvement

Benefits

Compass Ireland offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

Free meals while at work

Access to the Perks@Work platform, earning Wow Points and discounts across a wide range of brands, activities, and retailers

Additional seasonal, overtime, and flexible working hours

Career Pathways to support career progression and skills development

Flexible working options to support work-life balance

Additional Leave Purchase scheme

Employee Assistance Programme for personal and professional support

Internal reward and recognition schemes

Regular communications highlighting exclusive offers and savings

At Compass Ireland, our people are our business. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity, inclusion, and investing in the growth and development of every colleague.