Assistant Patient Catering Manager

Chartwells Independent; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Medirest, the healthcare catering arm of Compass Group UK & Ireland, seeks an Assistant Patient Catering Manager in Peterborough to lead a large team and ensure safe, high-quality patient dining. The role focuses on food safety, service delivery, and customer satisfaction across busy patient catering operations.

You will support the Patient Catering Manager in daily management, compliance with NHS standards, and development of staff, driving continuous improvement and excellent service delivery.

Qualifications

• Operational catering experience.
• Experience leading large teams.
• Knowledge of food production and service operations.
• Excellent communication and people management skills.
• Financial awareness with good IT skills.

Responsibilities

• Support management and development of a large catering team.
• Ensure high quality and safe food production and service.
• Maintain compliance with food safety and NHS standards.
• Assist in staffing, planning, stock control and resources.
• Monitor budgets and food costs for efficiency.
• Build strong relationships with clients, patients and stakeholders.
• Support recruitment, training and coaching of staff.
• Drive continuous improvement and service excellence.
• Role model professional standards, safety and service.

Skills

Catering leadership

Team management

Food safety knowledge

Communication

Budget awareness

IT literacy

Education

NVQ Level 1 & 2 or equivalent

City & Guilds 706/1 & 706/2

Tools

IT skills

Basic IT systems

Job description

Assistant Patient Catering Manager

Peterborough
£34,700 per annum
Medirest | Compass Group UK & Ireland
Full Time | Permanent

Lead a Vital Catering Service That Makes a Real Difference

Are you an experienced catering professional with a passion for food safety, patient experience, and leading large teams? We're looking for an Assistant Patient Catering Manager to join our healthcare catering team in Peterborough.

This is an exciting opportunity to support the management of a busy patient catering operation, ensuring high standards of food quality, safety, service delivery, and customer satisfaction are achieved every day. You'll play a key role in leading a large catering team, maintaining compliance, and delivering an exceptional service that positively impacts patients, visitors, and staff.

What You'll Be Doing

As Assistant Patient Catering Manager, you'll support the Patient Catering Manager in the day-to-day management of catering operations, ensuring the delivery of a safe, efficient, and high-quality service.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the management and development of a large catering team.
• Ensuring the preparation and service of food meets agreed quality and performance standards.
• Maintaining compliance with all food safety, allergen management, and health & safety procedures.
• Supporting operational planning, staffing, stock control, and resource management.
• Monitoring budgets and food costs to ensure efficient use of resources.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, patients, and stakeholders.
• Supporting recruitment, training, coaching, and development of team members.
• Ensuring compliance with company policies, NHS standards, and contractual requirements.
• Driving a culture of continuous improvement, customer service, and operational excellence.
• Acting as a role model for professional standards, safety, and service delivery.

What We’re Looking For

We're seeking a confident and experienced catering leader who can motivate teams, maintain high standards, and thrive in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

Essential

• Previous operational experience within a catering environment.
• Experience leading and managing large teams.
• Strong knowledge of food production and service operations.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and people management skills.
• Financially aware with good IT skills.
• NVQ Level 1 & 2, City & Guilds 706/1 & 706/2, or equivalent qualification.
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Understanding of customer service excellence and client expectations.

Ideal Candidate

• Level 4 Food Safety qualification or willingness to undertake Level 4 Food Safety training.
• Strong knowledge of Food Safety legislation, HACCP principles, and compliance procedures.
• Excellent understanding of allergen management and food safety controls.
• Previous experience or knowledge of Modified Texture Diets (IDDSI).
• Experience managing and leading large operational teams, ideally around 100 team members.
• Previous experience within contract catering.
• Experience working within healthcare, patient catering, or a regulated catering environment.
• Self‑motivated, adaptable, and capable of leading through change.
• Ability to develop, inspire, and engage teams to achieve outstanding results.

Why Join Medirest?

Medirest is the specialist healthcare operating company of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We provide catering, domestics, portering, security, reception, and support services across more than 130 NHS Trusts and private healthcare facilities nationwide.

Joining Medirest means becoming part of a business dedicated to improving patient experiences through exceptional service delivery. You'll be supported by a leading organisation that invests in its people, values innovation, and offers genuine opportunities for career progression.

Diversity & Inclusion

Compass Group UK & Ireland is committed to creating a workplace where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for all colleagues regardless of background, belief, or experience.