Chef Catering Manager

Black Pearl Consult; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Black Pearl Consult is seeking an experienced Chef Catering Manager to oversee catering operations throughout the United Arab Emirates. The successful candidate will ensure operational excellence, client satisfaction, and compliance with food safety standards.

You will manage diverse catering teams and be responsible for high-quality service delivery across various corporate and event-based catering services.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in catering operations within the UAE.
• Strong background in corporate catering, hospitality, and event catering.
• Excellent financial acumen and experience in budget management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day catering operations across multiple locations.
• Manage teams to ensure service excellence and operational efficiency.
• Develop relationships with clients and ensure satisfaction.

Skills

Client relationship management

Project management

Leadership

Food safety knowledge

Job description

Chef Catering Manager – Our client is seeking an experienced and results‑driven professional to oversee and manage catering operations across a diverse portfolio of corporate, hospitality, institutional, and event‑based catering services within the UAE.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring operational excellence, service quality, client satisfaction, team leadership, and financial performance while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, compliance, and customer experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day‑to‑day operations of catering services, ensuring seamless delivery across multiple locations, events, or client sites.
• Manage catering teams, including supervisors, kitchen personnel, service staff, and logistics teams, to ensure efficient operations and service excellence.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with corporate clients, event organizers, and key stakeholders to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and retention.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute catering projects, functions, and events while ensuring adherence to client requirements, budgets, and timelines.
• Monitor operational performance, service quality, and productivity to identify areas for continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations, health and safety standards, municipality requirements, and company policies.
• Collaborate with culinary and production teams to optimize menus, food quality, inventory management, and operational efficiency.
• Manage staffing plans, workforce scheduling, recruitment, onboarding, training, and performance management initiatives.
• Control operational budgets, monitor costs, and implement measures to maximize profitability and operational effectiveness.
• Oversee procurement, supplier coordination, inventory control, and logistics management to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
• Handle client feedback, complaints, and service recovery situations professionally and proactively.
• Prepare operational reports, performance metrics, and business reviews for senior management.

Requirements

• Minimum 8 years of experience in catering operations within the UAE, with a strong background in corporate catering, hospitality catering, institutional catering, event catering, or central kitchen operations.
• Proven experience managing large‑scale catering operations and diverse service teams.
• Strong understanding of the UAE catering market, client expectations, operational challenges, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, client accounts, and operational priorities simultaneously.
• Strong leadership, people‑management, and stakeholder‑engagement skills.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Sound financial acumen with experience managing budgets, costs, and operational performance.
• Strong knowledge of food safety standards, HACCP requirements, and UAE health regulations.
• Excellent communication and client‑relationship management skills.

Candidates must be currently based in the UAE and ready to attend interviews at short notice. Immediate availability or short notice periods will be heavily prioritized.