At a Glance
- 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 managing high-profile 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 success.
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 in London employer: FORS Europe
Contact Detail:
FORS Europe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Operations Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the hospitality industry and let them know you're on the lookout for a Catering Operations Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opening or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Get social! Follow companies you're interested in on LinkedIn and engage with their posts. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you stay updated on any job openings or events they might be hosting.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions specific to catering and events management. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role. We want you to shine when it comes to showcasing your leadership and operational skills!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Operations Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in high-volume hospitality settings. We want to see how you've led teams and managed events, 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 are easy to read, so avoid fluff and get straight to the good stuff!
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
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. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to driving service standards and revenue growth.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership abilities, especially in high-pressure environments. Discuss how you've successfully managed large teams and delivered exceptional results at previous events, as this role requires strong team management.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Be prepared to talk about your experience with managing labour costs and budgets. Bring specific examples of how you've improved financial performance in past roles, as this will show your commercial awareness and ability to deliver within budget.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
During the interview, ask insightful questions about their current operations and challenges. This not only shows your interest in the role but also demonstrates your proactive approach to understanding their needs and how you can help shape their catering and events strategy.