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- Tasks: Lead dynamic catering operations and deliver exceptional guest experiences across multiple venues.
- Company: Join a leading hospitality team in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping memorable events and driving service excellence.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in large-scale hospitality with strong leadership and communication skills.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values your development and creativity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced hospitality leader who thrives in high-volume, fast-paced environments? We are looking for a dynamic Catering & Events Operations Manager to oversee all catering operations—in-house teams, third-party concessions, race day mobilisation, events delivery and F&B performance—across a busy, multi-venue leisure and events setting. This is a hands-on, strategic role leading large teams and high-profile events, with a focus on driving service standards, revenue growth, and exceptional guest experiences.
Responsibilities
- Deliver and execute the catering strategy across multiple venues.
- Lead and develop all catering teams on site, ensuring top-tier food and service quality.
- Plan and manage rotas, staffing levels and labour budgets for all events.
- Work closely with sales and business teams to plan catering for racing and non-racing events.
- Take ownership of high-volume operations, delivering exceptional results for key clients.
- Manage variable labour and F&B cost controls across hospitality, retail, kitchens and bars.
- Support and develop team members through structured PDPs and regular reviews.
- Help shape a unified catering and events strategy that maximises revenue and commercial opportunities.
- Develop retail operations, brand presence and menu/offer across all venues.
- Collaborate with chefs, site leaders and support teams to deliver consistent F&B standards.
- Lead training initiatives focused on customer service, product knowledge and operational excellence.
- Support recruitment, reduce agency reliance and build a stable, engaged casual workforce.
- Maintain financial awareness, analyse reports and take action to improve performance.
- Ensure venues operate at the highest standard through daily checks and operational oversight.
- Coordinate all administrative, operational and planning tasks for race days and events.
What success looks like
- Strong control of labour budgets.
- Improved staff recruitment & retention.
- Reduced agency usage.
- Increased spend per head across F&B areas.
- Consistent delivery of service excellence.
- Positive guest, owner & trainer feedback.
What we are looking for
Essential
- Minimum 5 years' experience in large-scale leisure, sport or event environments (3,000+ guests).
- High-volume hospitality background — conferencing, banqueting, restaurants, hotels or stadium events.
- Strong leadership, communication and client management skills.
- Experience managing large teams and delivering multi-site or multi-faceted events.
- Proven ability to manage labour costs and deliver to budget.
- Highly organised, process-driven, calm under pressure.
- Commercially astute with strong IT and business systems skills.
- Excellent decision-maker and people developer.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable
- Personal licence holder.
- Business/Event Management Degree.
- IOSH Managing Safely.
- GCSEs in Maths & English (C or above).
Hours
Flexible to meet the needs of events, including evenings and weekends. Time off in lieu is provided.
Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people.
Catering Operations Manager employer: FORS Europe
Contact Detail:
FORS Europe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, attend events, and engage with potential employers on social media. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We want you to shine, so practice common interview questions and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re the perfect fit for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in making you memorable. We recommend mentioning something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and interested.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Let’s get you that Catering Operations Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your experience in large-scale hospitality settings. We want to see how you've thrived in high-volume environments and managed big teams, so don’t hold back on those details!
Tailor Your Application: Take a moment to customise your application for the Catering Operations Manager role. Use keywords from the job description to show us you understand what we’re looking for and how you fit the bill.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the heart of your skills and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at FORS Europe
✨Know Your Catering Strategy
Before the interview, make sure you understand the catering strategy of the company you're applying to. Research their past events and how they manage high-volume operations. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're ready to take ownership of their catering operations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led large teams in fast-paced environments. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you motivated your team to deliver exceptional service. This will highlight your leadership style and ability to develop team members.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Brush up on your understanding of labour budgets and cost controls. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed these aspects in previous roles. Showing that you can maintain financial awareness while delivering excellent guest experiences will set you apart.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, ask insightful questions about their current catering operations and future goals. This not only shows your interest but also allows you to gauge if the company aligns with your values and career aspirations. Engaging in a two-way conversation can leave a lasting impression.
