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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire catering teams, ensuring exceptional food quality and service.
- Company: Join Holroyd Howe, a top UK contract caterer for independent schools.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, volunteering days, and discounts on brands.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in culinary experiences for students and staff.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in catering, strong financial management skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for training and career development.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: Haileybury School, Hailey Lane, Hertford, SG13 7NU
Contract Type: 52 weeks Full Time Contract
Salary: £60,000 pa
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 Director of Catering to lead the catering services at Haileybury 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.
Candidate Profile:
- 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.
We pride ourselves on:
- People first: We’re a company of individuals, united in doing our best for our clients.
- Great food, always: Using only the best ingredients, our food is fresh, authentic and tailored to each school, age group, and specific needs and preferences.
- Food education: We educate pupils through food, encouraging them to understand and develop their own personal tastes and make informed food choices.
- Respect in everything we do: Our respectful codes of conduct inform how we behave towards our clients and customers, suppliers and business partners, and each other.
- Fresh thinking: New ideas for food, service and ways of working help us maintain our position as creative leaders in school catering.
In order to be considered for this role you must be able to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. 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. It is a criminal offence for individuals barred from working with children to apply for such roles. An 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.
Director of Catering employer: Holroyd Howe
Contact Detail:
Holroyd Howe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Catering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and hospitality industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion! When you get that interview, make sure to highlight your love for food and hospitality. Share stories of how you've inspired teams or created exceptional dining experiences. Let your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Research the company! Before any interview, dive deep into Holroyd Howe’s values and mission. Understand their approach to catering in schools and think about how your vision aligns with theirs. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets it.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities there. Don’t miss out on your chance to join our amazing team!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Catering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Director of Catering role. Highlight your leadership experience, financial management skills, and any innovative catering projects you've led.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for food and hospitality, and how you can contribute to our mission at Holroyd Howe. Be sure to mention specific examples of your past successes.
Showcase Your Vision: In your application, share your vision for catering services. Discuss how you would drive innovation and sustainability in menu planning, and how you plan to inspire your team to deliver exceptional culinary experiences.
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 Haileybury School!
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 Haileybury School. Showing that you’re up-to-date will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in previous roles. Highlight your ability to inspire and develop staff, as this is crucial for the Director of Catering position. Use specific anecdotes to illustrate your leadership style.
✨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 roles. This will demonstrate your commercial acumen and readiness for the responsibilities of the role.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you’ve built strong relationships with clients and suppliers in the past. Be ready to share strategies for maintaining these connections, as relationship management is a key part of the role. This shows you understand the importance of collaboration in catering.
