At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant catering team and ensure exceptional service across campus events.
- Company: Join Sodexo, a leader in hospitality with a focus on creating memorable experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, career growth, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced role while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality or catering management and strong people skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Join Our Team as a Catering Duty Manager - Lead with Energy & Deliver Exceptional Hospitality
Location: Wellington College, Duke's Ride, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 7PU
Hours: 40 hours per week - 5 out of 7 days; 6.45am - 3.15pm and 12pm - 8.30pm (early and late shifts including mornings and evenings)
Salary: Competitive Salary + Excellent Sodexo Benefits
At Sodexo, we believe in creating exceptional experiences for our students, staff, visitors, and clients every single day. We're looking for a passionate, people-focused, and energetic Catering Duty Manager to join our team at Wellington College.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong hospitality, front-of-house, or customer service leadership experience who enjoys leading teams, delivering outstanding service, and working in a vibrant, fast-paced environment.
Previous catering management experience is preferred for this role. However, if you have strong hospitality, front-of-house or catering service experience, combined with excellent people management and leadership skills, we would still love to hear from you.
About the Role
As Catering Duty Manager, your primary responsibility will be overseeing service operations across the campus. This is a front‑of‑house focused leadership role where you'll ensure breakfast, lunch, hospitality events, and day‑to‑day catering services run smoothly and professionally.
This is a varied and hands‑on position where no two days are the same. You may be supporting student dining services one day and overseeing bespoke hospitality events across campus the next.
Responsibilities
- Leading and motivating a front-of-house and catering team of up to 14 people per shift
- Overseeing breakfast, lunch and supper service operations
- Managing service setup, presentation, clear‑down, and overall guest experience
- Supporting bespoke hospitality and catering events across campus
- Delivering outstanding customer service standards at all times
- Conducting team briefings and supporting staff communication
- Supporting additional administrative tasks such as uniform ordering, staff training, team huddles
- Ensuring all food hygiene, allergen, health & safety, and COSHH standards are followed
- Supporting opening and closing procedures across the department
- Creating a positive, welcoming, and professional environment for students, staff, and visitors
What We’re Looking For
We're looking for someone with energy, confidence, and a passion for hospitality and leadership.
Essential
- Hospitality, restaurant, hotel, events, or catering front-of-house experience
- Previous supervisory or managerial leadership experience
- Strong customer service and people management skills
- Experience leading teams in a busy service environment
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
- Positive attitude with a hands‑on approach to service
- Awareness of health & safety and food hygiene standards
Desirable
- Experience within education, hospitality, events, or contract catering
- Food Hygiene Certificate
- Experience managing multiple service areas
- Passion for hospitality and food service excellence
What We Offer
At Sodexo, this is more than just a job - it's an opportunity to be part of something bigger. We celebrate individuality, support career growth, and create an environment where you can thrive.
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Career progression and development opportunities
- Full training and support
- A supportive and inclusive team environment
- Access to mental health and wellbeing support services
- Employee Assistance Programme for legal, financial, and personal support
- Discounts, cashback schemes, and retail benefits
- Pension scheme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Opportunities to get involved in exciting hospitality and campus events
Please note: Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All offers are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we receive a high number of applications.
Catering Duty Manager in Crowthorne employer: Sodexo
At Sodexo, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to excel in their roles. As a Catering Duty Manager at Wellington College, you'll enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for career progression within a supportive team environment, all while delivering exceptional hospitality experiences in a dynamic educational setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Duty Manager in Crowthorne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality industry, especially those who work at Sodexo or similar companies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you get an interview, let your passion for hospitality shine through. Share stories that highlight your leadership skills and how you've created exceptional experiences for guests.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared for anything! Since the role involves a variety of tasks, brush up on your knowledge of food hygiene, health & safety standards, and customer service excellence. This will show you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Sodexo and contributing to our mission of delivering outstanding service.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Duty Manager in Crowthorne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Hospitality:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for hospitality shine through! Share specific examples of how you've created exceptional experiences in previous roles. We love to see that energy and passion!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Catering Duty Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in front-of-house operations and team leadership. This helps us see how you fit into our vibrant team at Sodexo.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially in a fast-paced environment like ours!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Catering Duty Manager inside out. Familiarise yourself with Sodexo's values and how they align with your own passion for hospitality. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences in catering or customer service and how they can contribute to creating exceptional experiences.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Catering Duty Manager, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've motivated teams in the past, handled challenges, and ensured outstanding service. Highlight your communication skills and how you foster a positive environment.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment. Think about scenarios where you had to manage multiple tasks or resolve conflicts. Practising these responses will help you articulate your thought process and decision-making skills effectively.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! This shows your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about team dynamics, training opportunities, or how Sodexo measures success in their catering services. It’s a great way to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to the position.