At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead hospitality and catering services, ensuring a welcoming environment for Officers and guests.
- 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.
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.
Catering Manager in Southampton employer: ESS
At Compass Group UK&I, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for those transitioning from military service to civilian roles. Our supportive work culture at HMS Collingwood fosters professional growth and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including career development programmes, healthcare access, and exclusive discounts, ensuring that our employees feel valued and empowered in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Manager in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality and military sectors. Attend events or join online groups where you can meet people who might know about job openings or can give you insider tips.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to hospitality management. Think about your military experience and how it translates into leadership and organisational skills that are crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your unique background! When discussing your experience, highlight how your military service has equipped you with the skills needed to manage a busy Officers' Mess effectively.
✨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 Catering Manager in Southampton
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 military background or hospitality experience you have, as this will resonate well with us.
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 specific examples of your leadership and organisational skills, and how they relate to the job.
Showcase Your Financial Savvy:Since managing budgets is key in this role, be sure to mention any relevant financial experience. We want to see how you've successfully handled costs and maintained financial controls in past positions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at HMS Collingwood!
How to prepare for a job interview at ESS
✨Know Your Mess Life
Since this role is all about managing the Officers' Mess, it’s crucial to understand the unique culture and expectations of military hospitality. Brush up on your knowledge of Mess life and be ready to discuss how your military experience can enhance the service provided.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Catering Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully led a team or managed operations. Highlight your proactive approach and how you’ve maintained high standards in previous roles.
✨Financial Savvy is Key
This position requires good financial awareness, so be prepared to discuss your experience with budgeting and cost management. Bring specific examples of how you’ve effectively managed finances in previous roles, ensuring that you can maintain accurate financial controls.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are essential for this role. Think of ways you’ve built relationships in the past, whether with clients or team members. Be ready to share how you handle feedback and ensure everyone feels valued and heard.
