At a Glance
- Tasks: Support exceptional patient dining services and coordinate meal delivery at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
- Company: Join Compass Group, a global leader in food and support services.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive pay, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Why this job: Make a difference in patient experiences through compassionate food service.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering, food safety knowledge, and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Be part of a caring, inclusive culture with growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Help Us Deliver Safe, Compassionate, and High‑Quality Patient Dining Services
We’re looking for a dedicated and people‑focused Deputy Patient Dining Manager to support the delivery of exceptional ward‑level catering at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Working as part of Medirest—the specialist healthcare division of Compass Group—you’ll play a key role in ensuring patients receive the right meal, at the right time, in the right way.
If you’re passionate about food safety, service excellence, and leading teams in a healthcare environment, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to patient experience every day.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Help coordinate daily ward‑level meal services (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and specialist meals) ensuring punctual, accurate, and compassionate delivery.
- Monitor meal presentation, portioning, nutritional compliance, and service consistency, taking action where needed.
- Support the implementation of clinical, allergen, IDDSI, cultural, and religious dietary requirements in partnership with dietetic and clinical teams.
- Promote the “Right First Time” meal accuracy approach and report any deviations.
- Carry out daily/weekly/monthly food safety checks including HACCP, temperature logs, cleaning routines, and allergen controls.
- Help maintain full compliance with Food Standards, CQUINs (retail only), Environmental Health requirements, and internal governance.
- Assist in audit preparation, lead elements of the audit process, and support follow‑up action plans.
- Provide guidance and coaching to ward‑based catering teams, ensuring high performance and excellent patient service.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, competency checks, mandatory training completion, and performance management.
- Foster a positive, inclusive, and values‑driven culture across the team.
- Act as the operational lead in the absence of the Patient Dining Manager.
- Serve as a key point of contact for ward managers, matrons, dietitians, nursing teams, and facilities partners.
- Attend Trust meetings when delegated and contribute to performance reporting and insights sharing.
What We’re Looking For
- You’ll be someone who leads with compassion, operates with professionalism, and thrives in a fast‑moving healthcare environment. Ideally, you will have:
- Level 2 or Level 3 Food Safety qualification (or willingness to obtain).
- Strong understanding of food safety, hygiene, HACCP, allergens, and compliance documentation.
- Experience in catering or food service within healthcare, hospitality, or high‑volume environments.
- Knowledge of clinical dietary requirements including allergens, IDDSI, and cultural/religious diets.
- Experience supervising staff or coordinating meal services.
- Strong communication skills and confidence working with clinical teams.
- Experience with audits or service improvement activity.
- Understanding of staffing rotas, labour budgets, or cost‑control basics (desirable).
- A compassionate, patient‑focused approach.
- A proactive, solution‑oriented mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement.
- Strong IT, organisational, and communication skills.
- Ability to plan, prioritise, and adapt within a service‑led environment.
About Compass Group
Compass Group is a world leader in outsourced food and support services, operating in more than 25 countries and employing over 590,000 colleagues. We’re committed to creating a caring, inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, and our people are at the heart of everything we do.
Ready to Shape a Great Patient Experience?
If you’re committed to delivering safe, high‑quality, and compassionate patient dining services, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and help us deliver excellence in patient care at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
Deputy Patient Dining Manager in Cambridge employer: Medirest
Contact Detail:
Medirest Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Patient Dining Manager in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Compass Group, especially those in healthcare roles. They can give you insider tips on what it’s really like working there and might even refer you for the Deputy Patient Dining Manager position.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of food safety and dietary requirements. Be ready to discuss how you would handle specific scenarios in patient dining services. We want to see your passion for delivering high-quality care!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've successfully led a team or improved service delivery. This role is all about compassion and professionalism, so let that shine through in your conversations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and making a difference in patient dining services.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Patient Dining Manager in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Patient Care: When writing your application, let your passion for patient dining services shine through. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to food safety and service excellence in a healthcare setting.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to see how you can contribute to our team at Addenbrooke’s Hospital!
Highlight Your Team Leadership Skills: As a Deputy Patient Dining Manager, you'll be leading teams. Be sure to mention any previous experience you have in supervising staff or coordinating meal services, as this will show us you're ready for the role.
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 fantastic opportunity to make a difference in patient dining services.
How to prepare for a job interview at Medirest
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on food safety regulations, HACCP guidelines, and dietary requirements. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the importance of compliance in a healthcare setting.
✨Show Your Compassion
As a Deputy Patient Dining Manager, compassion is key. Be prepared to share examples of how you've positively impacted patient experiences in previous roles. This will demonstrate your people-focused approach and commitment to high-quality service.
✨Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Highlight your experience in leading teams and coordinating meal services. Discuss how you’ve fostered a positive team culture and supported staff development. This will show that you can effectively manage and motivate a team in a fast-paced environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the team dynamics at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. This not only shows your interest but also gives you a chance to assess if the workplace aligns with your values and work style.