At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage a high-performing catering team to deliver exceptional food and service.
- Company: Join Sodexo, a global leader in improving Quality of Life services.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, wellbeing support, discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive employer with a commitment to diversity and employee engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while enhancing client satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering management, strong leadership, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ per year.
Location: Derry, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Contract Type: Full-Time | Permanent
Salary: £35,000 per annum plus Sodexo Benefits
About the Role
We are currently seeking an experienced and driven Business Manager to lead our catering operations within a well-established contract. This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative and passionate professional who is committed to delivering exceptional food quality and outstanding front-of-house service. You will play a key leadership role, ensuring all services are delivered in line with agreed service level agreements (SLAs), KPIs, and contractual standards while driving continuous improvement across operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing catering team
- Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality food and service standards
- Maintain compliance across all sites (Finance, Health & Safety, Food Safety, HR)
- Deliver training programmes and ensure all staff are fully trained and up to date
- Monitor performance against KPIs and implement improvements where needed
- Conduct regular site audits and ensure audit readiness at all times
- Manage recruitment processes, including right-to-work compliance
- Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders
- Oversee budgets, cost control, and financial performance
What We’re Looking For
Essential
- Proven experience in a similar catering or service management role
- Strong leadership and team management skills
- Excellent communication and influencing abilities
- Solid knowledge of food safety, health & safety, and compliance standards
- Ability to analyse problems and implement effective solutions
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and data tools (e.g. Power BI)
Desirable Qualification
- Hospitality qualification (or equivalent)
- IOSH or similar health & safety certification
- Experience managing client relationships
- Training qualifications (e.g. Train the Trainer, IFM Accreditation)
What You’ll Deliver
- High levels of client satisfaction and service excellence
- Strong financial performance through effective cost and labour management
- A positive safety culture across all sites
- Increased employee engagement and team development
Why Sodexo?
Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. Belong in a company and team that values you for you. Act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions. Thrive in your own way. We also offer a range of perks, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:
- Unlimited access to an online platform offering wellbeing support
- An extensive Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or life's larger problems, including legal and financial advice, support with work or personal issues impacting your wellbeing
- Access to a 24hr virtual GP Service
- Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 across popular high street retailers (also open to friends and family)
- Save for your future by becoming a member of the Pension Plan
- Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools
- Bike to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit
- Sodexo UK and Ireland's enhanced benefits and leave policies
A little more about Sodexo
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, SoTogether, 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. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job. Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications.
Locations
Catering Operations Manager in Derry, Londonderry employer: Sodexo
Sodexo is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees, offering a supportive work culture in Derry, Londonderry. With a commitment to inclusivity and continuous improvement, employees benefit from extensive training opportunities, a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, and a range of perks including a Pension Plan and discounts across popular retailers. Join us to thrive in a role where your contributions make a meaningful impact on the quality of life for our clients and communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Operations Manager in Derry, Londonderry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and hospitality industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Familiarise yourself with Sodexo’s values and how they align with your own. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly understands what they’re all about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams or improved operations in previous roles. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate that you’re the right fit for the Catering Operations Manager position!
✨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 genuinely interested in joining the Sodexo family. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Operations Manager in Derry, Londonderry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Catering Operations Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in catering or service management, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills and any compliance knowledge you have!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for delivering exceptional food quality and service. Mention specific examples of how you've led teams or improved operations in the past.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! If you’ve got experience with Microsoft Office or data tools like Power BI, mention how you’ve used these in previous roles to drive improvements or manage budgets.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to see all the details about the role and our amazing benefits!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of food safety, health & safety regulations, and compliance standards. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the industry's demands.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you motivated your team or improved service delivery. This will demonstrate your capability to manage and develop a high-performing catering team.
✨Be Ready to Discuss KPIs
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators relevant to catering operations. Be prepared to talk about how you've monitored performance and implemented improvements in previous roles. This shows that you can drive continuous improvement, which is crucial for this position.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their operations and express genuine interest in their goals. This will help you stand out as someone who values client relationships and teamwork.
