At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate catering bookings and support the management team in a busy environment.
- Company: Join a supportive team at Southend Campus with a focus on hospitality.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, training opportunities, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Free breakfast, parking benefits, and various employee perks available.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic catering operation and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Strong organisational skills and experience in administrative roles preferred.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
We are seeking a highly organised and proactive Catering Officer to support the day-to-day administration and coordination of a busy multi-site catering operation. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with strong administrative, organisational, and customer service skills to play a key role within a fast-paced catering and hospitality environment.
The successful candidate will provide essential administrative support to the catering management team, ensuring the smooth coordination of hospitality bookings, reporting, financial administration, and operational communication across the department.
Key Responsibilities- Coordinate and manage hospitality and catering bookings from initial enquiry through to completion.
- Liaise with internal departments, staff, and external clients to ensure hospitality requirements are accurately communicated and delivered.
- Support in maintaining departmental reports including sales, hospitality performance, stock, staffing, and KPI data.
- Support financial administration including purchase orders, invoice processing, supplier communication, and budget tracking.
- Work towards fully digitising accurate records, filing systems, and departmental documentation.
- Monitor and respond to catering inboxes, telephone enquiries, and booking requests in a professional and timely manner.
- Support the wider catering management team with scheduling, meeting coordination, and general office administration.
- Ensure hospitality calendars, booking systems, and operational trackers remain accurate and up to date.
- Assist with compliance administration including training records, audit documentation, and food safety paperwork where required.
- Work collaboratively with operational teams across multiple catering outlets and campuses.
- Receive deliveries and accurately check them in.
The ideal candidate will be:
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
- Confident working in a fast-paced environment with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Experienced in administrative or coordinator roles, ideally within catering, hospitality, education, or a customer-focused environment.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Outlook, and Word. Experience and use of AI is welcome and encouraged.
- Comfortable producing reports and handling data accurately.
- Professional, approachable, and confident communicating with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Able to work independently whilst also supporting a wider team.
- Experienced with booking systems, procurement systems, or hospitality coordination (desirable, all training provided).
A varied and rewarding role within a supportive team environment. Opportunity to contribute to an evolving catering operation. Training and development opportunities. Generous pension scheme. Access to staff benefits and wellbeing support. A flexible Monday to Friday working pattern with a strong work-life balance.
Employee Benefits- Employee Assistance Programme
- College closure days
- Pension – LGPS with college contribution
- Continued Professional Development
- Free breakfast at most campuses (term time)
- Free parking subject to obtaining a parking permit
- Various other benefits are available, such as subsidised eye tests, contribution to flu injections, cycle to work schemes, RAC discounts and more!
Catering Officer, 30 hrs per week, 37 wks per year, Southend Campus in Southend-on-Sea employer: South Essex College Group
Join our dynamic team at Southend Campus as a Catering Officer, where you'll thrive in a supportive environment that values your organisational skills and customer service expertise. We offer a flexible working pattern, generous employee benefits including a pension scheme and professional development opportunities, ensuring you can grow while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Be part of an evolving catering operation that prioritises collaboration and innovation, making it an excellent place for meaningful employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Officer, 30 hrs per week, 37 wks per year, Southend Campus in Southend-on-Sea
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the catering and hospitality industry, especially those connected to the Southend Campus. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even a recommendation.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to administration and coordination in catering. We suggest you come up with examples from your past experiences that showcase your organisational skills and ability to handle multiple priorities.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your tech skills! Familiarise yourself with Microsoft Office applications and any booking systems you might encounter. If you’ve used AI tools, mention them during your chat – it shows you’re forward-thinking and adaptable.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at the Southend Campus.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Officer, 30 hrs per week, 37 wks per year, Southend Campus in Southend-on-Sea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Catering Officer. We want to see how you can bring your organisational and customer service skills to our busy catering operation!
Show Off Your Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your administrative prowess! Mention any experience you have with booking systems, financial administration, or using Microsoft Office. We love seeing candidates who are confident in a fast-paced environment.
Be Professional and Approachable:When writing your application, keep it professional yet friendly. We’re looking for someone who can communicate well with a variety of stakeholders, so let your personality shine through while maintaining that professional tone.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember, we only consider applications made via our college website. So, make sure to submit your application there to be in the running for this exciting opportunity at Southend Campus!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Essex College Group
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Catering Officer. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks like managing hospitality bookings and financial administration. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Show Off Your Organisational Skills
Since the job requires excellent organisational abilities, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple priorities. Be ready to discuss how you keep track of tasks and ensure everything runs smoothly in a fast-paced environment.
✨Brush Up on Your Tech Skills
As proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with AI tools are important, take some time to review your skills in Excel, Outlook, and Word. You might even want to mention any specific projects where you used these tools effectively during the interview.
✨Practice Your Communication
The role involves liaising with various stakeholders, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about how you would handle different scenarios, such as responding to enquiries or coordinating with team members, and be prepared to share those examples.
