Head Of Retail - Catering (Monday - Friday)

Great food in the workplace isn’t simply about fuel. It’s about increasing productivity and improving performance; it’s about happy motivated people and inspiring environments. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do – we live to bring food and people together. We are brave, bold and curious adventurers in food and drink. Never shy of being different, always challenging the conventional. Our passionate team of chefs, baristas, servers, nutritionists and much more, love nothing more than creating memorable moments that enrich the everyday.

We are currently recruiting for a Head of Retail to join our team in London.

Location: University College London, Gower street, WC1E 6BT London

Rate of Pay: £52,053.84 per annum

Working Pattern: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week, with a few occasional weekends per year

Key Responsibilities:

• To ensure the efficient and effective delivery of catering operations and designated services to the client in accordance with the contract.
• To ensure delivery of the highest possible standard of food services with the resources available and within budget.
• Effective management of the contract management team to ensure the delivery of both qualitative and quantitative results.
• Manage the Catering Operation with the available resources to achieve sales and GP targets.
• To manage and control the service offers for the client to the agreed specification and to the agreed performance.
• To actively seek and identify opportunities and innovation for business growth & development with focus on latest food trends and best practices.
• Responsible for overseeing all aspects of compliance within the contractual terms.

Attributes:

• Experience as a multi-site restaurant/catering/hospitality manager in high volume operations.
• Strong financial & commercial acumen - P & L accountability.
• Excellent people, communication, organisation and people management skills.
• The ability to motivate and enthuse people and teams to deliver results.
• An understanding of legislation & compliance.
• Strong leadership, coaching, performance management and people development skills.
• A hands‑on lead from the front approach with a keen eye for detail.
• Inspiring, motivating, and coaching managers to deliver the very best in food and coffee service.
• A positive and outgoing personality and outlook.
• IT literate - working with systems & process.
• Building strong, trusted partnerships with client and stakeholders.
• Acting as a vital link between site managers and functions such as HR, Accounts, and Purchasing.
• Monitoring site performance and driving continual improvements in quality and service.
• Quickly solving problems to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently.
• Drive commercial success by managing budgets, reducing costs, and improving margins.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and efficiency to elevate operational performance.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to establish financial and commercial targets.
• Oversee and analyse campus and individual financial performance against budgetary goals, addressing any variances with achievable solutions.

Compliance:

• Ensure comprehensive QHSS (Quality, Health, Safety, and Sustainability) management across all areas of operations to maintain the highest safety and quality standards.
• To oversee company statutory health, hygiene and safety, quality standards including COSHH and HACCP are carried out in accordance with company standards.
• To oversee manager and employee completion of mandatory training.
• Ensure all outlets operate in line with company policies, health & safety regulations, and brand standards.
• Assist with the implementation of company initiatives and support the rollout of new systems, and processes.
• Conduct manager’s performance appraisals, identify training needs, and promote development opportunities.

Customer Service:

• To maintain a professional and friendly relationship with the client and customers.
• Work with the senior team to present a united front.
• Be up to date with customer needs and food trends and communicate ideas to senior team and managers.

What’s in it for you?

Working with Gather and Gather has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we've developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.

• 27 days holiday plus Public Holidays plus your birthday off & UCL closure dates off.
• Fantastic (UCL‑aligned) Pension scheme.
• Food allowance.
• Volunteering days.
• Personal Development and Training opportunities – We are passionate about our team growing with us.
• Online wellbeing centre – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary, recipes, exercise, and financial advice.
• Family friendly support.
• Regular social events.
• Recognition schemes and people awards.
• Long service awards.
• High street discount vouchers.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Discount gym Membership (campus gym).