At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead catering operations at exciting racecourse events, ensuring top-notch service and safety.
- Company: Join Arena Racing Company, the UK's largest horse racing group with diverse entertainment offerings.
- Benefits: Enjoy annual venue passes, discounted food, holiday allowance, and study support.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to employee growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team delivering unforgettable experiences in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Management experience in hospitality or retail, with a focus on customer service and operational excellence.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Catering Manager to lead the delivery of food and beverage services across our racecourse venue, ensuring operational excellence and outstanding customer service at every event. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will be supported by a dedicated team while playing a key part in the successful planning, delivery, and commercial performance of race days and events.
About us
Arena Racing Company does so much more than lead the UK’s largest horse racing group. We have 21 racing venues showcasing horse racing, greyhound racing, golf courses, hotels and events. In short, leisure, entertainment, media production and distribution are at the heart of what we do, making it an exciting and diverse place to work! Our success is a team effort which is why we offer great opportunities for growth, development and career progression.
Work Perks of being a Catering Manager
- Annual passes to attend any of our 21 venues
- Discounted food & ARC days out
- Cycle to work scheme
- Holiday allowance increasing with length of service up to 28 days
- Company life assurance scheme
- Discretionary group annual bonus schemes to reward your hard work
- Support with study through our study assistance schemes
- And so much more
About the role
As Catering Manager, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day catering operation across the racecourse, leading from the front and setting the standard for service, safety, and consistency. You will:
- Lead the setup, delivery, and close-down of race days, functions, and events
- Liaise closely with on-site Business Coordinator and delivery teams to ensure seamless communication and event execution
- Promote a strong safety-first culture, ensuring full compliance with food hygiene, HACCP, and health & safety standards
- Ensure all hospitality and retail bars are fully stocked, organised, and ready for service
- Deliver exceptional customer service, ensuring all guest expectations are met and exceeded
Commercial & Operational Management
You will play a key role in driving performance by:
- Maximising sales through effective selling techniques, promotions, and team product knowledge
- Managing GP, controlling costs, and minimising waste
- Completing accurate stock management and regular stocktakes across food, beverage, disposables, and chemicals
- Managing labour schedules within budget and adjusting in line with sales demand
- Ensuring accurate input and maintenance of all cost, sales, and stock records
Team Leadership & Development
People are at the heart of great hospitality. In this role, you will:
- Recruit, train, engage, and retain a high-performing catering team
- Ensure team members are professional, friendly, and customer-focused at all times
- Work with staffing teams to ensure the right skills are in place for each event
- Communicate customer requirements clearly across departments to support effective planning
- Act on customer feedback and satisfaction surveys to drive continuous improvement
About You
- Have management or supervisory experience in hospitality or retail catering
- Be knowledgeable in licensing, food hygiene, and health & safety
- Be highly organised, customer-focused, and detail-oriented
- Have the ability to drive high operational standards and exceed customer expectations
- Be confident using IT systems, including Microsoft Office, EPOS, and stock management systems
- Be positive, approachable, and a strong team player
- Hold a Personal Licence (desirable but not essential)
If you’re passionate about hospitality and ready to take the lead in delivering exceptional catering experiences, we’d love to hear from you.
At ARC, we believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace makes us a more relevant, more competitive, and more resilient company. We welcome people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability that requires reasonable adjustments, please let us know; we will ensure that individuals with additional needs are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions. We understand the value that diversity brings to our business and we are striving to create a working environment that is inclusive, psychologically and physically safe and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions. We are committed to making a consistent, top-down effort to be role models on what diversity, inclusion and belonging means in society.
Catering Manager in Redditch employer: Worcester Racecourse
Arena Racing Company is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, offering a range of benefits including annual passes to our 21 venues, a cycle to work scheme, and opportunities for career progression. As a Catering Manager, you will lead a dedicated team in delivering outstanding customer service at exciting events, all while enjoying a supportive environment that values employee growth and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Catering Manager in Redditch
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, check out Arena Racing Company's social media and website. Understanding their vibe will help you connect better during the chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a mate or in front of the mirror. This will help you feel more confident and articulate when discussing your experience in catering management.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've led teams in the past, especially in high-pressure situations. We want to see how you can inspire and manage a team effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare a few thoughtful questions about the role and the team. This shows you're genuinely interested and helps you figure out if it's the right fit for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Catering Manager in Redditch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Complete the Application Form:Make sure you fill out the online application form completely. We want to see all your skills and experiences, so don’t leave anything out!
Show Your Passion for Hospitality:In your application, let us know why you love working in hospitality. Share any experiences that highlight your commitment to outstanding customer service and operational excellence.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Catering Manager, leadership is key! Make sure to showcase your management experience and how you've successfully led teams in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Worcester Racecourse
✨Know Your Venue
Before the interview, do some research on the racecourse venue and its catering services. Familiarise yourself with their events and any recent news. This will show your genuine interest and help you tailor your answers to align with their operations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Catering Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on recruitment, training, and maintaining high operational standards. Highlight your ability to motivate and engage staff to deliver exceptional customer service.
✨Demonstrate Your Customer Focus
Be ready to discuss how you ensure customer satisfaction. Share specific instances where you've gone above and beyond to meet guest expectations or acted on feedback to improve service. This will illustrate your commitment to delivering outstanding experiences.
✨Understand Financial Management
Brush up on your knowledge of managing costs, stock control, and maximising sales. Be prepared to discuss strategies you've used in previous roles to drive commercial performance and manage budgets effectively. This will show that you can contribute to the financial success of the venue.
