Job Description
We’re looking for an experienced, enthusiastic, organised catering manager who enjoys great food, cares about the customer experience and takes satisfaction in running a well‑organised, high-perform ing catering operation. If you love being hands‑on in a busy environment, then you’ll love the opportunity to manage the catering operation at one of the UK’s most unusual visitor attractions.
Trentham Monkey Forest is a truly unique visitor attraction and the only place in the UK where visitors can walk amongst around 140 free‑roaming Barbary macaques in their natural forest environment.
Set within the beautiful Trentham Estate, we offer visitors an unforgettable experience combining wildlife, conservation, education and leisure.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised and experienced Catering Manager to join our dedicated team and take responsibility for the day‑to‑day running and continued development of our catering operation.
The Role
As Catering Manager, you will take overall responsibility for the day‑to‑day running of our three catering outlets, The Banana Café, Ice Cream & Coffee Van and Pizza Van, all serving a range of hot and cold meals, drinks, snacks and treats to our visitors.
The catering operation is busy and fast‑paced throughout the season, and the successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring that we deliver great food, excellent service and a welcoming experience to every visitor.
You will lead and develop our seasonal catering team, plan staffing levels and rotas, oversee food preparation and presentation, manage stock and suppliers, and ensure all food safety, hygiene, allergen, health and safety requirements are met.
This is a role where you will be expected to lead from the front. During busy periods, you will be hands‑on alongside the team, serving customers and preparing food while ensuring the wider operation continues to run efficiently.
Key Responsibilities
Catering operations
Team leadership & development
Essential skills
- Proven experience in a catering, hospitality or food service management role.
- Experience of managing and developing a team.
- Strong knowledge of food hygiene and food safety requirements.
- Good understanding of allergen management.
- Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
- Strong customer service and communication skills.
- Experience of stock management and ordering.
- Commercial awareness, including an understanding of food costs, waste and margins.
- Ability to work effectively in a busy, fast‑paced environment.
- A hands‑on, flexible and proactive approach.
- High standards of cleanliness, food quality and presentation.
- Ability to work school holidays, bank holidays and most weekends.
- Experience managing multiple catering outlets.
- Experience working within a visitor attraction, tourism, leisure or seasonal environment.
- Food Safety Level 3 or equivalent qualification.
- Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing supplier relationships.
- Experience managing seasonal or temporary teams.
Working Pattern
We offer a 5‑day working week, with:
- No evening service
- No split shifts
- Achievable annual bonus
Due to the seasonal nature of Trentham Monkey Forest, the successful candidate will be required to work school holidays, bank holidays and most weekends.
The park is closed to visitors during the winter period, although occasional weekend work will be required.
Offers are subject to satisfactory references and a DBS check.
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