At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead two catering outlets, ensuring top-notch food quality and customer service.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Compass Group UK&I, where diversity is celebrated.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £40,000, with opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture that values your unique talents and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vibrant workplace, enhancing food and service experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering management and strong people skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced and engaging Catering Manager to lead two catering outlets within a large Total Facilities Management (TFM) contract based in Luton. This role sits within a broader contract that includes cleaning, security and hard services, but your focus will be firmly on delivering a high-quality food and service offer within the 2 catering outlets. You will be a visible leader on site, passionate about food, service standards and people development, while working collaboratively with the wider facilities team.
This position is ideal for someone with several years' experience in catering management who enjoys running a well-paced operation, has strong people skills, and is confident engaging with both clients and customers.
The Role
- Lead the daily operation of the catering outlets, ensuring excellent food quality and customer service.
- Manage, motivate and develop the catering teams, creating a positive and high-performing culture.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, health & safety and company standards at all times.
- Build effective working relationships with the on-site facilities team and client representatives.
- Manage staffing, rotas and resource planning to meet service demands efficiently.
- Monitor financial performance, including costs, margins and stock control.
- Deliver against agreed KPIs and service level expectations.
- Support menu development, innovation and seasonal offers, reflecting customer needs.
- Handle day-to-day issues professionally, acting as a visible and approachable manager on the floor.
- Contribute to service improvements and added-value initiatives within the wider contract.
About You
- Proven experience as a Catering Manager or similar role within a workplace, contract catering or hospitality environment.
- Strong operational knowledge of food service, standards and compliance.
- A genuine interest in food, presentation and service culture.
- Several years of people management experience, with the ability to engage, motivate and develop teams.
- Confident and professional in a client-facing environment.
- Commercially aware, with experience managing budgets, costs and margins.
- Organised, proactive and calm under pressure.
- Food safety qualifications and relevant catering or hospitality training are desirable.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for a hands-on, people-focused Catering Manager with personality and presence - someone who takes pride in their outlet, leads from the front and understands the importance of food, service and experience in a workplace environment.
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!
Dual-Site Catering Manager in Watford employer: Compass Group
Contact Detail:
Compass Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Dual-Site Catering Manager in Watford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture before your interview. Check out their social media and website to see what they're all about. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your people skills! As a Catering Manager, you'll need to engage with both clients and customers. Role-play common scenarios with a friend or family member to boost your confidence and refine your approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare some questions to ask during the interview. This shows you're proactive and interested in the role. Think about what you want to know about the team dynamics or how they measure success in the catering outlets.
✨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 that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Dual-Site Catering Manager in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for food and service shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for creating great dining experiences, as this is key for us at StudySmarter.
Highlight Your People Skills: We want to see how you engage and motivate your teams. Include examples of how you've developed staff or built strong relationships in previous roles. This will show us you're the hands-on leader we're looking for!
Be Clear on Compliance and Standards: Make sure to mention your knowledge of food safety and compliance standards. We value a high-quality operation, so demonstrating your understanding of these areas will definitely catch our eye.
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to customise your application for this role. Use the job description as a guide to align your skills and experiences with what we’re looking for. And remember, applying through our website is the best way to get noticed!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group
✨Know Your Catering Stuff
Brush up on your knowledge of food service standards and compliance. Be ready to discuss your experience with menu development and how you've handled food safety in previous roles. This will show that you’re not just passionate about food, but also knowledgeable about the operational side.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Prepare examples of how you've motivated and developed your teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you’ve turned a struggling team into a high-performing one. This is key for a role that focuses on people management and creating a positive culture.
✨Be Client-Focused
Since this role involves engaging with clients, think of instances where you’ve successfully built relationships with clients or stakeholders. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and professionally, as well as how you’ve contributed to enhancing client satisfaction.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
Come prepared to discuss how you manage staffing, rotas, and resource planning. Share examples of how you’ve efficiently met service demands while keeping an eye on costs and margins. This will show that you can handle the operational challenges of the role.