Catering Manager in London

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £39,989.78 + £4000 London Allowance (£41,240.06 after 18 months)

Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week.

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday (may include weekends)

Location: Lambeth.

If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.

The difference you will make as a Catering Manager:

In this role you will be overseeing the catering services across our extra care and residential care schemes to ensure our vulnerable older customers receive a consistent and quality catering provision. You will be responsible for ensuring operational procedures and contract management are in line with Food Hygiene and Health & Safety Standards. The role is reporting to the Care Services Manager that is responsible for delivering the CQC services whilst working closely and supporting on-site Managers with the operational and administrative tasks, in the delivery of catering services to our customers.

About you:

• Experience of managing and overseeing small catering operations across various sites.
• Proven experience of relationship management within a catering operational environment.
• Proven track record of effective stakeholder management, both internally and externally to the organisation.
• Up-to-date knowledge of food hygiene and health and safety standards in relation to delivering and maintaining catering operations.
• Proven delivery of training and coaching on food hygiene standards.

Why Riverside?

At Riverside, we're a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we've been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives. We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.

Working with us, you'll enjoy:

• Flexible working options available
• Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
• A wide range of benefits

Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside:

We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues.

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to be considered.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contract Liaison: Be the lead contact for the catering contractor to ensure contractual requirements are met across all sites. Hold and attend regular meetings and provide feedback on any contractual issues.
• Planning and Development: Assist in planning and developing the catering offer across all services with the Care Services Manager.
• Quality Control: Oversee food and beverage "reheat and preparation" service to ensure the highest quality. Analyse and control quality levels of products and services.
• Menu Development: Work with customers and catering contractor on updating menus and beverage offering.
• Kitchen Equipment: Ensure catering colleagues are aware of the safe use and maintenance of all kitchen equipment, oversee upkeep, manage repairs, and liaise around maintenance agreements.
• Catering Delivery: Be responsible for the weekly pre‐ordering of meals and beverages as per customer requirements, including any dietary specifications.
• Catering Supplies: Order all catering supplies as required and work with suppliers to maintain standards and ensure best value.
• Wastage: Implement checks and protocols to manage and reduce wastage.
• Stock: Maintain inventory and stock control, ordering and replenishing supplies at all times.
• Financial Controls: Oversee budgetary responsibilities and ensure cost control while maintaining financial viability of the operation.
• Operational Delivery: Develop induction and training plans and carry out on‐the‐job training for catering colleagues. Carry out monthly visits to each location and check service delivery meets required and statutory standards. Ensure colleagues are competent in re‐heating and presentation protocols, presenting meals to menu and contractual standards. Support in the catering delivery to ensure dining areas are clean, presentable and inviting, delivering an excellent experience. Assist onsite Managers with recruitment, colleague engagement where required. Create a supportive and positive work environment with onsite Managers and catering colleagues; act as the SME for catering activities. Line manage catering staff at sites with limited operational teams (currently Bankhouse) – support performance management and high quality delivery.
• Customer Involvement: Involve customers in menu planning; seek feedback and resolve complaints or suggestions with the appropriate party.
• Food Safety: Review, monitor and audit all relevant food safety documentation to ensure completion to the appropriate standard.
• Health and Safety: Ensure statutory standards in kitchen and dining areas; carry out regular audits and monitor compliance.
• Risk Management: Work in partnership with onsite Managers to identify and manage risks and ensure reporting requirements are met.
• Partners and Stakeholders: Maintain contact with local Environmental Health and other stakeholders; stay abreast of best practice changes.

Other Information:

The role is 5 days a week but flexible if required, primarily based on site visit. Undertake regular training and continuous development to deliver your role safely. Use the Lone Worker system as required. Ensure customers are safe at all times – follow Riverside's policies (food hygiene, health & safety, safeguarding, dignity at work, GDPR, cash handling). Deliver role in line with Riverside company values – "Our Riverside Way". Participate in team meetings, attend supervisions and reflective practice sessions. From time to time you may undertake additional duties in consultation with your Line Manager.

Essential:

• Experience of managing and overseeing small catering operations across various sites.
• Proven experience of relationship management within a catering operational environment.
• Proven track record of effective stakeholder management, internally and externally.
• Up-to-date knowledge of food hygiene and health and safety standards for catering operations.
• Proven delivery of training and coaching on food hygiene standards.
• Proven monitoring and auditing of statutory catering standards.
• Excellent communication skills, team player, influencing skills.
• Excellent organisational, time‐management and Microsoft (Word, Excel, Teams) skills.
• Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2.
• Willingness to travel to multiple sites.

Desirable:

• Food Hygiene Certificate Level 3.
• Previous experience in a CQC setting or Care & Support environment.
• UK driving licence.

About Us:

Riverside is one of the UK's leading not‐for‐profit social housing and regeneration organisations, owning or managing around 75,000 homes from Irvine to Kent. We are a leading provider of supported housing services, particularly for those affected by homelessness, and our track record of transforming lives and revitalising neighbourhoods dates back over 90 years. We have plans to build over 15,000 affordable homes over the next decade.