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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to deliver top-notch service and drive customer satisfaction.
- Company: Join Lexington, an award-winning contract caterer known for great food and service.
- Benefits: Enjoy free lunches, flexible working hours, generous holiday allowance, and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative and inclusive culture that values boldness and fun.
- Qualifications: Proven management experience in a high-end environment with a passion for customer service.
- Other info: Work in an iconic London location with a focus on team development and wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Lexington is an award-winning contract caterer that focus on providing great food and service to customers. To do this we need fabulous people and we work hard to create an environment where our team members feel engaged, inspired, valued and enjoy what they do.
About the Role
We are seeking a dynamic, commercially astute and operationally hands-on General Manager to lead the catering provision at a prestigious, high-volume private school. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering exceptional food services across core feeding, hospitality, and retail operations, ensuring consistent quality, financial performance, and client satisfaction.
This is a key leadership position requiring experience in educational catering (desirable), strong financial and people management capabilities, and the ability to operate with professionalism and resilience in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Management
Oversee the day-to-day running of all catering services, including breakfast, lunch, supper (if applicable), hospitality functions, and retail outlets.
Ensure high standards of food quality, presentation, and service in line with company and client expectations.
Lead daily briefings and service checks to ensure smooth delivery and team alignment.
Maintain strong visibility across service points to lead by example and uphold standards.
Client and Stakeholder Engagement
Act as the primary point of contact for the school leadership team and other key stakeholders.
Build and maintain strong professional relationships, proactively addressing feedback and evolving requirements.
Attend regular client meetings and provide insightful performance updates and improvement plans.
Financial and Commercial Oversight
Take full ownership of the site’s P&L, delivering budgeted targets on sales, labour, and cost of goods.
Prepare and review monthly forecasts, variance reports, and financial commentary.
Drive commercial growth through menu innovation, upselling, and hospitality development.
Negotiate with suppliers and manage procurement in line with group policy and allergen controls.
People Leadership and HR
Lead, develop and inspire a large, diverse catering team, including supervisors, chefs, and front-of-house staff.
Conduct recruitment, performance management, training, and succession planning.
Manage employee relations, rota planning, holiday cover, and disciplinary processes in line with HR policy.
Foster a positive team culture focused on accountability, development, and service excellence.
Compliance and Standards
Ensure full compliance with food safety legislation, allergen regulations, and internal audit protocols.
Maintain rigorous cleanliness, hygiene, and H&S standards across all service and kitchen areas.
Lead on all company compliance initiatives including training, temperature checks, and due diligence.
Essential Skills and Experience
Proven experience managing a high-volume catering operation, preferably within the education or independent schools sector.
Strong financial acumen with a track record of managing budgets, controlling costs, and delivering on financial KPIs.
Excellent leadership and people management skills, with a proven ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams.
Exceptional client relationship management skills with the ability to influence and build trust at senior level.
Good knowledge of allergens, food safety, and nutritional standards.
Resilience, composure, and professionalism in managing day-to-day pressures and long-term goals.
Strong IT literacy (e.g. Excel, EPOS systems, stock management tools).
Experience within a private school or prestigious educational setting.
Background in developing high-end hospitality or fine dining within a contract catering environment.
Why Join Us
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a values-driven organisation delivering excellence in education catering. You’ll have the opportunity to shape the culture and standards of a flagship site, supported by a wider regional team and company resources.
Working Pattern: 5 out 7, 40 hours p/w
Our way of saying thank you…
At Lexington, we strive to ensure that our colleagues feel appreciated & rewarded, which is why we offer generous rewards & benefits in exchange for your dedicated efforts.
- FREE On-Site Lunches: Savour delicious and healthy meals, on us, every day at work
- Flexible Working: Enjoy the freedom to balance work and personal life with our flexible working hours
- Holiday Allowance: Start with 28 days of holiday to relax and recharge, increasing to 31 days after two years of service
- Family Leave: Prioritise your family commitments with our family leave options designed to support you during important times
- Paid Charity Leave: Make a difference in your community with paid time off to volunteer for your favourite causes
- Opportunities for Career Progression: Grow and advance your career with us, supported by continuous learning and development opportunities
- Comprehensive Wellbeing Benefits: Access mental health support and a range of wellbeing benefits to keep you feeling your best, both professionally and personally
- Life Assurance & Pension Schemes: Secure your future with our life assurance and workplace pension schemes
- Exclusive Discounts & Perks: Enjoy discounts and cashback on entertainment, leisure activities, and much more, alongside our popular cycle-to-work scheme
Why it's great to work for us…
At Lexington, we dare to be different in our food, catering, reception services, and work culture. Our values encourage creativity, boldness, and fun, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We nurture talent, helping our people thrive and reach their potential.
We take pride in being an equal opportunity employer and welcome everyone. Let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments or assistance in your application, and feel free to share your pronouns.
Join our award-winning team passionate about serving delicious food to exceptional clients in London. Visit our website to hear from our team first-hand.
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General Manager (London) employer: Elior Uk
Contact Detail:
Elior Uk Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Lexington's values and culture. Understanding their commitment to creativity, boldness, and fun will help you align your leadership style with their expectations during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in high-pressure environments. Highlighting your experience in 5-star settings or fine dining will demonstrate your capability to thrive in a similar atmosphere at Lexington.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your financial acumen by discussing specific instances where you've controlled budgets and driven revenue growth. This will illustrate your ability to meet the commercial metrics that are crucial for the General Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Emphasise your approachability and team-building skills. Being a strong team player is essential, so be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive team culture and maintained effective communication in previous roles.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in managing teams and delivering high-quality service. Emphasise any previous roles in 5-star environments or contract catering, as this will resonate with Lexington's requirements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for customer service excellence and your leadership style. Mention specific examples of how you've motivated teams and driven financial growth in past roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on skills that align with the job description, such as budget management, team culture building, and compliance with health and safety regulations. Use keywords from the job listing to make your application stand out.
Showcase Your Personality: Lexington values an approachable demeanour and a positive attitude. Let your personality shine through in your application by sharing anecdotes that reflect your character and how you engage with both colleagues and customers.
How to prepare for a job interview at Elior Uk
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a General Manager, demonstrating your leadership abilities is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully motivated and managed teams in the past, focusing on specific outcomes and improvements you've achieved.
✨Understand Financial Metrics
Since you'll be responsible for managing budgets and financial reporting, brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the catering industry. Be ready to discuss how you've previously driven revenue growth while maintaining cost efficiencies.
✨Emphasise Customer Service Excellence
Lexington values customer service, so be prepared to share your philosophy on delivering exceptional service. Discuss any experiences where you went above and beyond to ensure customer satisfaction and retention.
✨Demonstrate Cultural Fit
Familiarise yourself with Lexington's values and culture. During the interview, express how your personal values align with theirs, and provide examples of how you've contributed to a positive team culture in previous roles.
