Catering Supply Chain Manager in Birmingham

Powering the supply chain that powers the passenger experience. Step into a role where you’ll play a key part in keeping our on‑board experience running smoothly, from source to service. As our Catering Supply Chain Manager, you’ll oversee the full journey of our catering products, from raw ingredients right through to our customers. You’ll help us deliver products on time, to a high standard, and in line with our KPIs and SLAs. Most importantly, you’ll champion our customer by ensuring our crews and passengers benefit from best-in‑class product availability, supported by a supply chain that is efficient, cost‑effective and reliable.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and support our supply chain partners, ensuring lean stock levels, just‑in‑time delivery and smooth, end‑to‑end catering operations.
• Provide clear and accurate product information to the Catering team, including product availability, nutritional and allergen data, delivery schedules, price updates and any risks to supply.
• Champion continuous improvement, working with governance processes to help suppliers deliver strong performance, value for money and safe operational standards.
• Take ownership of product and equipment quality, from ensuring items meet agreed specifications to carrying out regular QA checks and supporting Food Incident Notice management with colleagues.
• Collaborate on menu development and product innovation, working with suppliers, NPD teams and internal stakeholders to create customer‑focused offers, while maintaining accurate data, catalogues and EPOS updates.

What You’ll Bring

• Good MS Office capability (intermediate to advanced), with confidence building and analysing Excel models.
• Experience in forecasting, demand planning and analysing supply chain or operational data.
• Knowledge of food supply chains within the travel or hospitality industry, including logistics, handling and service standards.
• A customer‑centred approach, with the ability to build positive relationships and communicate clearly with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and problem‑solving skills, with experience of leading projects and delivering practical, creative solutions.

If you don’t meet every single requirement but feel you have the skills and potential to succeed, we encourage you to apply, we’d love to hear from you.

As well as working with a fantastic team you will also receive:

• Final salary pension
• Free travel on Avanti West Coast for you/spouse/partner/dependents
• Privilege Travel card (75% off other train operators fares for leisure travel)
• 30 days holiday rising by 1 for every completed year of service to a maximum of 37 days (inclusive of bank holidays)
• 10 free journeys on other First Group Train Operators

Ready to Make an Impact?

If this sounds like the right next step for you, we’d love you to apply and join us on the journey.

Important Considerations

We may close this advert early if we receive a strong response, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Be You. With Us.

At Avanti West Coast, we believe our strength comes from the unique perspectives, experiences and backgrounds of our people. We are proud to build a workplace where diversity is embraced, and everyone is supported to thrive. We welcome individuals of all races, religions, ages, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities. Our goal is to reflect the communities we serve and create an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

When you join Avanti West Coast, you become part of a close‑knitted team that encourages authenticity. We want you to bring your whole self to work. No need to change who you are to fit in. Your individuality is what makes us better.

Our Avanti West Coast Values

• Passionate- We foster a culture where everyone is driven by our mission and are dedicated to achieving it together.
• Committed- We are committed to safety, reliability and delivering the very best for our customers, our colleagues, stakeholders and the industry.
• Integrity- We believe in taking responsibility for our reactions and decisions to ensure we do the right thing even when it is difficult to do and hold others accountable for doing the same.
• Ambitious- We strive to be the best and are curious to new ways of working within our business and the wider industry.
• Authentic- We are genuine, caring and grounded individuals that operate and communicate with openness, trust and clarity.