At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage catering services, ensuring safety and quality across two sites.
- Company: St Luke's Hospice, dedicated to compassionate care and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patient care while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering management and strong knowledge of food safety.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 44000 £ per year.
General Manager - Catering
We have an exceptional opportunity for a General Manager - Catering here at St Luke's.
This is a new role providing practical, hands on day-to-day leadership for our catering service.
The role will take operational ownership of the established SEASONS catering model, ensuring that agreed systems, standards and ways of working are consistently embedded and maintained across both sites.
The role is responsible for ensuring that patient catering remains safe, reliable and prioritised at all times, while overseeing the day-to-day operation of production, Bistro service, SEASONS Anytime, inter-site food movement, stock control, waste management and team coordination across both sites.
This is a hands‑on operational management role, requiring someone who can balance food safety, people management, service standards, financial awareness and practical problem solving.
The post holder will be expected to maintain a visible presence within the operation and work closely with the catering team to ensure services run safely, consistently and efficiently.
The post holder will work closely with clinical teams, Facilities, Finance, Procurement, People/HR, volunteers and other relevant colleagues to ensure catering remains well organised, compliant, responsive and aligned with the values of the Hospice.
The role will operate within the agreed SEASONS operating model and support its continued embedding and practical improvement, including the effective use of EPOS, stock information, SEASONS Anytime data and other relevant operational systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide clear day-to-day operational leadership and accountability for catering services across both sites.
- Coordinate delivery across food production, transport, receiving, regeneration, service and retail activity.
Ensure agreed SEASONS processes, standards and responsibilities are consistently followed.
- Maintain a visible presence within the operation and support the team in resolving practical issues.
- Ensure patient catering remains the first operational priority. Escalate significant operational, staffing, food safety or service risks appropriately.
- Clinical & Patient‑Centred Delivery – SEASONS Care Ensure patient food provision is safe, reliable, compassionate and responsive to individual needs.
Ensure clinically authorised dietary, allergen and texture‑modified requirements, including IDDSI, are implemented correctly.
- Work closely with Nursing, Dietetics, Speech & Language Therapy and other clinical colleagues regarding patient nutrition and hydration requirements.
- Ensure agreed patient menus, portion standards, service processes and associated records are maintained.
- Support appropriate flexibility for individual patient preferences, appetite and changing needs within agreed clinical and food‑safety parameters.
- Ensure catering staff understand the importance of dignity, sensitivity and patient‑first care within the Hospice environment.
Skills, Qualifications, and Experience
- Relevant qualification and/or substantial equivalent experience in catering, hospitality or food‑service management.
- Significant practical experience of managing catering or food‑service operations.
- Strong working knowledge of food safety, allergens, hygiene and HACCP.
- Good organisational skills and the ability to coordinate a busy operational service.
- Practical financial awareness, including food cost, waste, stock and labour considerations.
- Ability to use operational information and basic system reports to support day‑to‑day decision‑making and service improvement.
- Comfortable using EPOS, stock, ordering or other operational systems. Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Able to work collaboratively across operational, clinical and support teams. Able to prioritise effectively and remain calm when responding to changing operational requirements.
- Flexible, practical and willing to work visibly within the operation.
- Confident IT skills
- Full Driving licence with access to a vehicle
Location, Contract, and Working Hours
- Location: Basildon and Thurrock Hospice
- Contract: Permanent.
- Hours: Full‑time (37.5 hours per week) covering a flexible shift pattern across days, weekends, and public holidays.
- Salary: £35,000 to £44,000 per year (dependent on experience).
St.
Luke’s Hospice is devoted to promoting diversity and an inclusive culture for colleagues, patients, and our wider community.
We especially welcome applications from disabled, LGBTQ+, and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates currently under‑represented in our workforce.
Important: All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship.
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General Manager - Catering in Basildon employer: St Luke's Hospice (Basildon)
St Luke's Hospice (Basildon) provides a nurturing work environment where employees can grow professionally while making a difference in the community. The organization values teamwork and inclusivity, offering various opportunities for staff to engage in impactful fundraising initiatives. Joining St Luke's means being part of a compassionate mission that prioritizes dignity and care for those in need.
Contact Details:
St Luke's Hospice (Basildon) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - Catering in Basildon
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
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✨Reach Out Directly to St Luke's Hospice (Basildon)
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We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - Catering in Basildon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about St Luke's Hospice (Basildon) and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Luke's Hospice (Basildon)
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
