Catering Operations Manager - London, United Kingdom
Catering Operations Manager - London, United Kingdom

Catering Operations Manager - London, United Kingdom

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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The Emirates Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and optimise catering operations for a global airline, ensuring top-notch food delivery.
  • Company: Join Emirates, a leader in innovative inflight dining with a diverse team.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary and opportunities for career growth in a dynamic environment.
  • Why this job: Make an impact in the airline industry while working with global culinary trends.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Culinary Arts or F&B Management and extensive experience in airline catering.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Job Purpose

Manage the regional catering operations, including food and beverage delivery, flight handling, quality, cost efficiency, and stock management in collaboration with Emirates global catering service providers. Ensure operational menus align with Emirates vision of being the world leader in innovative inflight dining. This role is responsible for leading and supporting operations across assigned international regions, ensuring effective performance in diverse operational, cultural, and regulatory contexts in line with business needs.

Define and implement catering operations standards & procedures, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with regional service providers, working cross-functionally within Service Delivery (SD) teams to ensure alignment with Emirates operational and business objectives.

Manage and optimize catering operations, food & beverage, flight handling, stock management, laundry, and third-party suppliers within approved budgets whilst identifying opportunities for efficiency and value improvement.

Monitor and improve the regional performance management of contracted service providers through regular compliance audits and checks against the agreed food & beverage and catering operational standards. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to maintain quality and operational excellence.

Execute the implementation of station level menu designs and services. Collaborate with the F&B and Service Design teams to support in the menu design process, the trialling of new F & B and service concepts, celebratory promotions, whilst ensuring timely and cost-effective execution.

Collaborate with the Finance and Procurement teams to negotiate and validate costs for the regional catering operational and food & beverages services, ensuring accurate invoicing and best value for Emirates.

Lead the catering department representation in the vendor selection process for regional catering partners. Manage catering contracts and maintain supplier relationships within the allocated region, ensuring adherence to SLAs and representing Emirates interests effectively.

Manage and develop the regional catering team, fostering capability building, performance management, and succession planning to support strategic resource utilization and operational goals.

Must have extensive knowledge of global food product and service delivery trends and concepts. Must demonstrate good contract management capabilities. Good understanding of cultural dimensions and adapting to managing delivery of product from worldwide catering locations. Knowledge of food production, development, food safety, and product distribution. Proven ability to manage teams, work with key stakeholders and manage relationships. Extensive knowledge in managing airline catering operational supplies. Capable of working under pressure in an environment where a very high degree of initiative, self-motivation and control are required. Excellent communication skills; written and verbal.

Qualification

Degree/Diploma in Culinary Arts or F&B Management or equivalent certification in food safety. Experience in the hospitality industry specifically in an F&B kitchen based related role (i.e. a Senior Chef/Culinary position) of which at least 3 years should have been in an airline catering environment. Experience in an airline operational environment of which at least 5 years in an airline catering operations environment / supplier operational audits. Must have the right to live and work in the UK.

Salary & benefits

Competitive salary.

Catering Operations Manager - London, United Kingdom employer: The Emirates Group

As a Catering Operations Manager with Emirates in London, you will be part of a dynamic and innovative team dedicated to redefining inflight dining experiences. The company fosters a collaborative work culture that values diversity and encourages professional growth through continuous improvement initiatives and training opportunities. With competitive salaries and a commitment to operational excellence, Emirates offers a unique environment where your expertise in food and beverage management can truly shine.
The Emirates Group

Contact Detail:

The Emirates Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Catering Operations Manager - London, United Kingdom

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the catering and airline industry on LinkedIn or at events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching Emirates' catering operations and their vision. Show us that you understand their goals and how your experience aligns with their innovative approach to inflight dining.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your background in food safety, team management, and supplier relationships makes you the perfect fit for the Catering Operations Manager role. Confidence is key!

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Catering Operations Manager - London, United Kingdom

Catering Operations Management
Food and Beverage Delivery
Flight Handling
Quality Control
Cost Efficiency
Stock Management
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Performance Management
Compliance Audits
Continuous Improvement Initiatives
Menu Design
Contract Management
Supplier Relationship Management
Team Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Catering Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in food and beverage management, especially in airline catering. We want to see how your skills align with our vision of innovative inflight dining!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background fits with our operational goals. We love seeing enthusiasm and a personal touch!

Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage catering operations effectively. Numbers and results speak volumes, so don’t hold back on sharing your successes!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Emirates Group

✨Know Your Catering Operations Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of catering operations, especially in an airline context. Familiarise yourself with Emirates' vision for inflight dining and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Catering Operations Manager, you'll need to lead teams effectively. Prepare examples of how you've managed teams in the past, focusing on performance management and capability building. Highlight any successful initiatives you've implemented that improved team efficiency.

✨Understand Cultural Nuances

Given the international nature of the role, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of cultural dimensions in catering. Be prepared to discuss how you've adapted operations to meet diverse cultural needs in previous roles.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in catering operations, such as managing supplier relationships or ensuring compliance with food safety standards, and how you overcame them.

Catering Operations Manager - London, United Kingdom
The Emirates Group
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