At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead catering operations, ensuring high-quality food service and excellent customer experiences.
- Company: Join OCS UK & Ireland, a top facilities management company with a diverse workforce.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, professional development opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the catering industry while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering management and strong communication skills are essential.
- Other info: Work across multiple sites in Coventry, Birmingham, and Warwick with great career progression.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
About The Company: OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering. Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.
About The Role: To provide flexible managerial support across multiple catering sites, ensuring the delivery of high‑quality food services, operational continuity, and an excellent customer experience. The Support Relief Catering Manager steps in during periods of absence, increased demand, or to assist in the rollout of new operational processes. This is a mobile chef relief role and would be covering the Coventry, Birmingham and Warwick areas. Days of working: 5 in 7
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Leadership
- Manage day‑to‑day catering operations across designated sites.
- Maintain high standards of food production, presentation, and hygiene.
- Ensure smooth service delivery during staff shortages or manager absences.
- Oversee stock control, ordering, and supplier relationships.
- Support the implementation of new menus, systems, or procedures.
- People Management
- Lead, motivate, and support catering teams during relief placements.
- Provide training and guidance to maintain consistent standards across teams.
- Assist with rota management and allocation of staffing resources.
- Promote a positive, inclusive, and safe working environment.
- Food Safety & Compliance
- Ensure all activities comply with food safety legislation and organisational policies.
- Maintain accurate records including temperature logs, cleaning schedules, and HACCP documentation.
- Monitor compliance with allergen control and health & safety policies.
- Customer Experience
- Deliver excellent customer service across all sites.
- Respond to customer feedback and resolve issues promptly.
- Ensure the catering offer meets service expectations and organisational standards.
- Financial Management
- Assist with budget management, cost control, and waste reduction.
- Support revenue‑driven initiatives (where applicable).
- Ensure correct cash handling procedures and financial reporting.
- Continuous Improvement
- Identify areas for operational development and share best practice.
- Support change management initiatives across catering services.
- Contribute to audits, quality reviews, and service improvement plans.
Person Specification
- Essential
- Experience supervising or managing catering operations.
- Strong understanding of food hygiene, allergen management, and health & safety.
- Excellent communication and people‑management skills.
- Ability to work flexibly across multiple sites.
- Strong organisational and problem‑solving abilities.
- Level 2 Food Safety (minimum).
- Desirable
- Level 3 Food Safety or equivalent.
- Experience working across multi‑site catering operations.
- Knowledge of cost control and basic financial reporting.
- Experience in a hospitality, education, commercial, or care‑sector kitchen.
Key Attributes
- Adaptable and calm under pressure.
- Confident decision‑maker.
- Customer‑focused mindset.
- Positive and supportive attitude.
- Commitment to high standards and continuous improvement.
How to Apply: If you are interested in joining a business that encourages professional development, career progression and the chance to work with inspirational people then please click apply and register your interest. You can also sign up to our job alerts when registering which will notify you when other suitable vacancies are available. We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.
Support Relief Chef Manager employer: OCS Group
Contact Detail:
OCS Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Relief Chef Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering industry, especially those who might know about opportunities at OCS. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Be ready for a chat! When you apply through our website, make sure you're prepared for a quick call or video interview. Brush up on your experience and be ready to share how you can bring value to the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your skills! If you get the chance, demonstrate your culinary expertise or management style during interviews. Bring examples of how you've handled challenges in past roles to impress the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay positive and follow up! After applying, don’t hesitate to send a friendly follow-up email. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you on their radar. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested!
We think you need these skills to ace Support Relief Chef Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in managing catering operations. We want to see how you've led teams and maintained high standards in food production and hygiene.
Be Personable: Your communication skills are key! Use your application to showcase how you connect with people and resolve issues. A friendly tone can go a long way in showing us you're customer-focused.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application. Tailor it to the role by mentioning specific responsibilities from the job description. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and helps us keep track of all applicants.
How to prepare for a job interview at OCS Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food hygiene, allergen management, and health & safety regulations. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about maintaining high standards in catering operations.
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
Since this role requires working across multiple sites, be prepared to discuss your experience in managing catering operations in different environments. Share examples of how you've adapted to new challenges and maintained service quality under pressure.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading and motivating teams. Be ready to share specific instances where you've successfully trained staff or resolved conflicts, as this will illustrate your ability to foster a positive working environment.
✨Customer Service is Key
Prepare to talk about how you've handled customer feedback in the past. Discuss any strategies you've implemented to enhance customer experience, as this role places a strong emphasis on delivering excellent service across all sites.