Catering Manager

Hampshire Cultural Trust; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Employer pension contributions

Maternity/paternity pay

Sick pay

Employee assistance programme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

Hampshire Cultural Trust is seeking a Catering Manager to lead the catering operation at Milestones Museum and Basing House in Basingstoke. You will manage both front of house and kitchen teams, ensuring high-quality food and outstanding visitor experiences while meeting commercial targets.

You will lead staff and volunteers, oversee budgeting, forecasting, food costing, supplier management and menu development, and drive income growth through events and venue hire.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a full catering operation.
• Strong track record in profitable F&B services.
• Experience in hospitality, leisure, tourism or visitor attractions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee front of house and kitchen operations to deliver high quality food and service.
• Manage catering income, expenditure, food and labour costs, purchasing and stock control.
• Develop menus, seasonal offers and hospitality packages; grow income via events and venue hire.
• Ensure food safety, allergens, HACCP, COSHH and health and safety compliance.

Skills

Catering operations

Front of house

Kitchen operations

Education

Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate

Cookery qualification

Job description

Catering Manager

Application Deadline: 10 November 2026

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Milestones Museum & Basing House

Reporting To: Sammy Russell

Compensation: £34,000 - £39,000 / year

Description

Level: 3A

Salary: £34,000 - £39,000 per annum

Location: Milestones Museum & Basing House, Basingstoke

Hours: 37 hours including some/regular weekends and evenings

Type of Contract: Permanent

Do you have the catering expertise and leadership skills to deliver great food and outstanding visitor experiences at Milestones Museum and Basing House?

We’re looking for a Chef Manager to lead and develop the food and beverage operation across these two distinctive heritage venues.

You’ll oversee all front of house and kitchen operations, ensuring a consistently high-quality offer that combines excellent customer service with strong commercial performance. Leading the Catering Supervisor, Cook and wider catering team, you’ll motivate and develop staff and volunteers, set clear standards and organise resources effectively.

You’ll manage catering income, expenditure, food and labour costs, purchasing and stock control.

Working with the Cook, you’ll develop menus, seasonal offers and hospitality packages, and identify opportunities to grow income through events, venue hire and visitor activities. You’ll also ensure that food safety, allergen management, health and safety and licensing requirements are consistently met.

A bit about you

You’ll have demonstrable experience managing a full catering operation, with responsibility for both front of house and kitchen functions, and a strong track record of delivering profitable food and beverage services within hospitality, leisure, tourism or visitor attractions.

You’re an effective leader who can coach and develop teams, set clear expectations and deliver excellent customer service. Commercially confident, you’ll bring experience of budgeting, forecasting, food costing, supplier management and stock control, alongside a strong understanding of menu development and food production.

You’ll have thorough knowledge of food safety legislation, allergens, HACCP, COSHH and health and safety requirements. Strong organisational, communication and IT skills, including Microsoft Office, will help you manage daily operations and work effectively with colleagues and suppliers.

A Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate or above, a professional cookery qualification and a Personal Licence would be advantageous. Experience in heritage or visitor attractions, or delivering hospitality, weddings and event catering, is also desirable.

The role includes regular evening, weekend and bank holiday working.

Who we are

At Hampshire Cultural Trust we have a vision to create inspirational culture experiences that enrich and transform lives. We manage and support 20+ attractions and deliver county-wide outreach programmes that bring great culture to local communities. We also deliver a diverse range of wider social impact initiatives targeted at those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged and who would not usually have access to arts and culture.

We promote equity, inclusion and diversity and a culture that actively values difference. We recognise that people from different backgrounds and experiences can enhance the way we perform and work and we encourage and support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our staff.

We are inclusive, valuing, and respectful of diversity, developing the ability to recruit and retain a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Therefore, we are committed to implementing reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities in our recruitment process and in employment.

The benefits of working for us

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays (pro-rated for part time working)
• 7.5% Employer pension contributions
• Generous occupational maternity, adoption and paternity pay
• Enhanced occupational sick pay
• Generous compassionate leave scheme
• Paid emergency leave
• Industry leading Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to same day GP appointments for employees and their immediate family
• Life assurance scheme (x3 annual salary)
• Interest-free Season ticket loans and travel loans from first day of employment
• Charity Worker Discounts Scheme (savings on retail, leisure, groceries, travel etc.)
• Access to free eye tests and vouchers towards glasses for VDU use
• Free flu vaccination vouchers
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Health Cash Plan (cashback on dental, optical, medical for monthly subscription cost)
• Opportunities to learn, develop and progress
• Free tea and coffee
• Team Card - Free access to venues for friends and family, and discounts across café and retail

If you have any queries relating to the recruitment process, email [e-mail] or call our enquiries line on 01962 398412.