Catering and Contracts Officer

Hampshire County Council; Hythe; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a team leader for visitor services at Calshot Activities Centre in Hythe. This role involves enhancing customer experiences and managing catering operations efficiently. Candidates must demonstrate leadership, strong communication skills, and an understanding of hospitality needs. The successful applicant will inspire a collaborative team culture to meet evolving business demands and deliver high-quality services to visitors. If you have a passion for hospitality and leading teams, this position offers a unique opportunity.

Qualifications

• Experience in hospitality and catering operations essential.
• Ability to lead and inspire change within a team.
• Strong communication and motivational skills required.

Responsibilities

• Deliver excellent customer experiences aligned with KPIs.
• Develop and ensure quality catering operations meet demands.
• Foster a collaborative team culture and enhance teamwork.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Catering understanding

IT skills

Job description

A unique opportunity has come up at Calshot Activities Centre. As we grow our business and our internal catering provision we are looking for someone with both hospitality, catering and team leading experience to support the delivery of excellent visitor services across our site.

The Role

Calshot Activities Centre is a unique outdoor education facility and visitor attraction in the New Forest National Park.

We offer outdoor education to 10,000 children each year through a range of residential packages, whilst also boasting a thriving and busy campsite, boat park, Tudor Castle and a busy seafront café. The beach brings thousands of people to our centre every year and this role is at the heart of ensuring all these customers have the best experience possible.

This role sits in the visitor services team, reporting to the visitor services manager. The team consists of the facilities maintenance team, the catering operations and front of house and together; we look after catering operations, facilities, site maintenance and projects, accommodation, the campsite, boat park and castle. It is our responsibility to ensure that all customers have the best experience with high quality, value for money experiences that make them want to come back.

What you’ll do

In this role, you will focus on delivering excellent customer experiences while maintaining operational efficiencies aligned with key performance indicators. You will lead by example, demonstrating professionalism and outstanding customer engagement at every opportunity. By developing and implementing effective ways of working, you will ensure compliance and uphold high standards across the team. You'll foster a collaborative "one team" culture, encouraging teamwork and shared success.

Additionally, you will be responsible for developing a catering operation that is high quality, cost-effective, and adaptable to changing needs. Building strong working relationships will be key to promoting efficiency and meeting the evolving demands of the business.

What we’re looking for

• An understanding of the needs of specific catering units - we operate one policy but two operational models
• Demonstrating the core values of Hampshire Outdoor Centre
• Understanding the vision of Hampshire Outdoor Centres and the passion to bring it to life
• A team player with strong collaborative skills
• Excellent communication skills - able to coach, demonstrate and motivate a team
• Leadership skills, someone who is able to lead a team through periods of change and inspire people to be proud and understand their role within the journey
• Sound IT skills and able to accurately record information

To apply, please complete the application form and attach your CV to support your application.