At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire catering services, ensuring exceptional food quality and service.
- Company: Join Holroyd Howe, a top UK contract caterer for independent schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, free meals, and discounts on brands you love.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' dining experiences while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in catering, strong financial skills, and a passion for food.
- Other info: Dynamic role with training opportunities and a commitment to sustainability.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 63000 £ per year.
Location: Tormead School, Cranley Rd, Guildford GU1 2JD
Contract Type: Term‑time plus (40 working weeks + 4 weeks holiday)
Salary: £45,000 per annum
Why Join Us:
- 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- 3 volunteering days to give back to causes you care about
- 3 days grandparent leave for those special family moments
- 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave
- Bespoke training & development opportunities
- Pension & life insurance
- Discounts on high street brands, cinema & holidays via the Perkbox App
- Wellbeing hub & access to employee assistance programme
- Free meals while at work
- Career development & HIT Apprenticeships for all experience levels
About the Role:
We are seeking an experienced and visionary Catering Manager to lead the catering services at Tormead School. You will be responsible for strategic leadership, financial management, and the continuous development of exceptional food and hospitality offerings. This role requires strong commercial acumen, inspirational leadership, and a passion for delivering outstanding culinary experiences.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement strategic plans for catering operations aligned with organisational goals.
- Lead and inspire multi‑site teams, ensuring high standards of food quality, service and hygiene.
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting and financial performance across all catering operations.
- Drive innovation in menu planning, sourcing and sustainability initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant food safety, health and safety, and safeguarding policies.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers and stakeholders.
- Champion staff development, training and wellbeing.
Qualifications:
- Proven leadership experience in a senior catering or hospitality role, ideally in an independent or B&I environment.
- Strong financial management and budget control skills.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and stakeholder management abilities.
- Ability to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement.
- Knowledge of current trends in food, nutrition and sustainability.
- Passion for delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Additional Information:
Holroyd Howe is one of the UK’s leading contract caterers, providing fresh innovative food services solely to independent schools and colleges. Our commitment to sustainability, nutrition and food innovation is at the heart of our operation. We celebrate healthy eating and provide modern, engaging dining experiences for students. Holroyd Howe is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all employees to share this commitment. All roles within Holroyd Howe involve regulated activity. Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a Barred List check, will be required for all successful applicants. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to provide information about relevant criminal offences and will be subject to an online search of publicly available information. This search helps identify any issues that may affect suitability to work with children. This appointment is offered on the return of satisfactory professional references.
Catering Manager employer: Holroyd Howe
Contact Detail:
Holroyd Howe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and hospitality industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to food innovation and sustainability, as these are key to the role. Practice common interview questions and think of examples that showcase your leadership and financial management skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for exceptional culinary experiences! During interviews, share your ideas for menu innovation or how you’ve improved service quality in past roles. This will demonstrate your commitment to delivering outstanding results.
✨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 engage with us directly. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Catering Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience, financial management skills, and any innovative projects you've led in catering or hospitality.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about delivering exceptional culinary experiences and how your vision aligns with our mission at Holroyd Howe.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Whether it's improving food quality or enhancing customer satisfaction, we want to see what you can bring to the table!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Holroyd Howe
✨Know Your Culinary Trends
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in food, nutrition, and sustainability. Be ready to discuss how you can incorporate these into the catering services at Tormead School. Showing that you’re up-to-date will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in previous roles. Highlight your ability to inspire and develop staff, as well as how you’ve maintained high standards in food quality and service. This is crucial for a Catering Manager role.
✨Financial Savvy is Key
Brush up on your financial management skills. Be prepared to discuss budgeting, forecasting, and how you’ve improved financial performance in past positions. Demonstrating strong commercial acumen will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you’ve built and maintained relationships with clients, suppliers, and stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share specific examples that showcase your communication and negotiation skills, as these are vital for success in this role.