At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic catering team to deliver exceptional dining experiences.
- Company: Join the friendly and supportive Catering Services team at the University of Chester.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, and opportunities for skill development.
- Other info: Stable role with potential for career progression and a focus on teamwork.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced hospitality environment while enjoying great work-life balance.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 required; experience in catering and strong customer service skills essential.
The predicted salary is between 26093 - 28031 £ per year.
Are you passionate about delivering great customer service? Do you thrive in fast‑paced hospitality environments? We’re looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Team Leader to join our Catering Services team at the University of Chester. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in supporting the smooth running of our front‑of‑house services, ensuring students, staff, visitors and conference guests receive an exceptional dining experience every day.
Why join us?
- Be part of a friendly, supportive and experienced team
- Opportunities to develop your skills and progress within Hospitality & Events
- A varied role across student dining, conferences and high‑profile University functions
- Uniform provided
- Generous holiday entitlement and access to University pension schemes
- A stable, permanent role with great work‑life balance
About the Role
As a Team Leader, you will help oversee the day‑to‑day activities of our front‑of‑house catering operations. Working closely with Supervisors and the Catering Operations Managers, you will play a key role in staff coordination, customer service and ensuring our high standards of food safety and hygiene are consistently maintained.
Your Duties Will Include:
- Supervising Catering Assistants and supporting them in their daily duties
- Ensuring staff breaks, presentation standards and working practices are met
- Acting as a designated signatory for deliveries and reporting issues where required
- Setting up, serving and clearing down dining areas and serveries
- Supporting conference and special event catering
- Taking till transactions and operating a register
- Monitoring cleaning, hygiene and food safety standards, including temperature checks
- Helping maintain efficient, customer‑focused service across all catering outlets
You may also be expected to step up in the absence of managers, providing valuable leadership support.
About You
We’re looking for someone who brings energy, reliability and a strong customer‑focused attitude.
Essential:
- NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent)
- NVQ Level 3 (or willingness to work towards it)
- A full driving licence
- Experience working in a catering or similar environment
- Great communication skills and the ability to work well within a team
- Strong customer service skills
- The ability to stay calm under pressure
- Good personal hygiene and attention to detail
- Flexibility and a positive, adaptable approach to work
Desirable:
- Waiting‑on experience
- Experience supervising staff
- Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace.
