At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead hospitality and catering services at the Officers' Mess, ensuring a welcoming environment.
- Company: Join Compass Group UK&I, supporting military and government establishments.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, healthcare benefits, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a culture that values diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Transition from military to civilian life while making a real impact in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality or events, with strong leadership and financial management skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 € per year.
Location: Fareham
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week (primarily Monday-Friday with occasional functions)
We have an excellent opportunity for an experienced Hospitality Manager to lead the Officers’ Mess at HMS Collingwood. This role would suit someone with a military background looking to transition into a civilian role while staying within a Defence environment.
You’ll take full responsibility for delivering high-quality hospitality and catering services within the Mess, ensuring a professional, well-organised, and welcoming environment for Officers and guests.
What you’ll be doing:
- Overseeing all hospitality and catering services within the Officers’ Mess
- Managing day-to-day operations, ensuring smooth and efficient service delivery
- Acting as the key point of contact for clients, building strong relationships and responding to feedback
- Maintaining high standards across all hospitality functions, including formal dining and events
- Promoting the Mess facilities and identifying opportunities to enhance service and revenue
- Managing budgets, monitoring costs, and maintaining accurate financial controls
- Planning and scheduling staffing in line with operational needs
- Ensuring all departments are aligned to deliver seamless events and services
What we’re looking for:
- Background in hospitality, catering, events or similar operational roles
- Military experience or understanding of Mess life (highly desirable)
- Strong leadership and organisational skills
- Good financial awareness and experience managing budgets
- Confident communicator with strong stakeholder management skills
- Comfortable using systems and handling administrative tasks
- A proactive, “can-do” attitude with high standards and attention to detail
This is a great opportunity for someone looking to move from military service into a structured civilian role, where your experience, leadership, and understanding of Defence environments will be highly valued. You’ll be part of a supportive organisation that invests in its people and offers stability, development, and a strong team culture.
We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- 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
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
About Us:
Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.
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 in Fareham employer: Compass Group UK
At Compass Group UK&I, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for those transitioning from military service to civilian roles. Located at HMS Collingwood in Fareham, our supportive work culture fosters professional growth and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including career development programmes, healthcare access, and exclusive discounts. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values your experience and commitment to delivering outstanding hospitality services in a unique Defence environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Manager in Fareham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the hospitality and military sectors. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Catering Manager role at HMS Collingwood.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your previous catering and hospitality successes. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family, focusing on common questions for hospitality roles. This will boost your confidence and help you articulate your experience effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for roles like the Catering Manager position. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team at Compass Group UK&I.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Manager in Fareham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Catering Manager role. Highlight any relevant hospitality or military experience, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership abilities!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for the Officers’ Mess. Share your passion for hospitality and how your background aligns with our values.
Showcase Your Financial Savvy:Since managing budgets is key in this role, be sure to mention any experience you have with financial management. We want to see how you’ve successfully handled costs and maximised revenue in previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of hospitality and catering services. Understand the specific needs of a military environment, especially in terms of formal dining and events. This will show that you're not just familiar with the role but also genuinely interested in how to excel in it.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed operations. Highlight your ability to maintain high standards and ensure smooth service delivery. This is crucial for a role that requires strong leadership and organisational skills.
✨Communicate Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Since you'll be the key point of contact for clients, being a confident communicator will help you build strong relationships. Think about how you can demonstrate your stakeholder management skills during the interview.
✨Be Proactive and Positive
Adopt a 'can-do' attitude throughout the interview. Be ready to discuss how you can enhance service and revenue, and share any ideas you have for promoting the Mess facilities. This proactive approach will resonate well with the interviewers and show that you're ready to contribute from day one.
