Retail Catering Manager in Blackburn

Lead. Deliver. Inspire. Be part of matchday magic.

Are you an experienced hospitality or retail catering leader who thrives in fast-paced, high-volume environments? Do you have a passion for delivering exceptional fan experiences, leading teams to success, and maximising commercial performance? At Sodexo Live!, we're seeking an ambitious and driven Retail Catering Manager to take ownership of our retail food and beverage operation at the iconic Blackburn Rovers Football Club.

As Retail Catering Manager, you'll be responsible for the end-to-end operation of our public bar and retail beverage service across the stadium. You'll lead the planning, preparation and delivery of service across:

• 35 catering bar units and two fan zones
• Matchday attendances of up to 30,000 supporters
• Non-matchday events and hospitality operations
• Cellar management, stock control and bar logistics

Working closely with the General Manager and wider leadership team, you'll ensure operational excellence, maximise revenue opportunities, control costs, and deliver exceptional guest experiences. This is an opportunity to play a key role in one of the most exciting event environments in the UK, overseeing a large-scale operation serving thousands of fans and guests on matchdays and major events.

You'll be particularly well suited to this role if you've worked within stadiums, sports venues, event catering, large-scale hospitality operations, retail food and beverage environments, leisure attractions, pubs, bars or other high-footfall customer-focused businesses. If you're a hands-on hospitality leader who loves the buzz of live events, understands high-volume food and beverage operations, and is passionate about delivering outstanding experiences, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do:

• Lead all public bar and beverage operations across the venue
• Manage stock ordering, controls, rotation and monthly stocktakes
• Drive beverage sales, profitability and gross margin performance
• Ensure bars are fully prepared and operationally ready for every event
• Recruit, train, motivate and develop casual event teams
• Manage labour budgets and staffing levels effectively
• Champion Health & Safety, Food Safety and compliance standards
• Deliver operational plans for matchdays, concerts and special events
• Use data, reports and EPOS systems to drive performance improvements
• Introduce innovative ideas that enhance customer experience and commercial results
• Build a positive, high-performing team culture focused on service excellence

What You Bring:

• Proven management experience within a high-volume catering, hospitality, retail catering, stadium, event catering, leisure, entertainment, visitor attraction, bar, pub or licensed venue environment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, engage and develop large teams in a fast-paced operation.
• Experience managing stock control, ordering, stock rotation, labour budgets and operational costs to deliver strong commercial performance.
• A passion for delivering outstanding customer service and creating exceptional guest experiences.
• Strong planning, organisational and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Knowledge of Food Safety, Health & Safety and compliance requirements within a catering or hospitality environment.
• Experience using EPOS systems and operational reporting tools to drive performance and decision-making.
• Comfortable working under pressure in a dynamic, high-volume venue where no two days are the same.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high operational standards and service delivery.
• Self-motivated, proactive and able to work on your own initiative as well as part of a wider management team.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including evenings, weekends, matchdays and special events.
• Relevant qualifications such as Food Hygiene, IOSH Managing Safely, First Aid or a Personal Licence are advantageous but not essential.

Desirable:

• Personal Licence Holder
• IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent
• Food Hygiene certification
• First Aid qualification
• Experience delivering training and coaching teams

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo Live! is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
• Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
• The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
• Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan.
• A Death-in-Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo.
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
• Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
• Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment.

Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today and help us create unforgettable matchday experiences at Blackburn Rovers with Sodexo Live!

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services. We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins. We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations.