Assistant Patient Catering Manager

Compass Group UK; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Medirest is recruiting an Assistant Patient Catering Manager in Peterborough to lead a large healthcare catering operation, ensuring high standards of food safety, quality, service and patient experience.

You will support the Patient Catering Manager, develop teams of around 100 staff, manage compliance with NHS standards, budgets and food costs, and drive continuous improvement in service delivery.

Qualifications

• Operational catering experience in a busy healthcare or commercial setting.
• Experience leading and managing large teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong knowledge of food production and service operations.
• Strong communication, organisation and people-management skills.
• Financial awareness with basic IT skills.
• NVQ Level 1&2, City & Guilds 706/1 & 706/2 or equivalent.
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Understanding of customer service excellence and client expectations.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the management and development of a large catering team.
• Ensuring the preparation and service of food meets quality standards.
• Maintaining compliance with 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 relationships with clients, patients and stakeholders.
• Supporting recruitment, training, coaching and development.
• Ensuring compliance with company policies and NHS standards.
• Driving continuous improvement in customer service and service delivery.
• Role modelling professional standards, safety and service.

Skills

Operational catering

Team leadership

Food production

Communication & people mgmt

Financial awareness

NVQ Level 1/2 & City & Guilds 706/1 &

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Customer service excellence

Education

NVQ Level 1/2 & City & Guilds 706/1 & 706/2

Level 4 Food Safety qualification

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

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.