Catering Manager

Elior Uk; London; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Elior UK is seeking a Catering & Events Manager to lead catering services at an independent school in London. This role involves oversight of day-to-day dining, event coordination, and maintaining exceptional service standards. The ideal candidate will possess strong client relationship skills, operational expertise, and a background in food safety. Join our team to make a positive impact on students' dining experiences while enjoying generous rewards and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

FREE On-Site Lunches

Flexible Working

Holiday Allowance

Family Leave

Paid Charity Leave

Opportunities for Career Progression

Comprehensive Wellbeing Benefits

Life Assurance & Pension Schemes

Exclusive Discounts & Perks

Qualifications

• Proven experience in catering and event coordination, ideally within an education or hospitality setting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a client-first approach.
• Sound knowledge of food hygiene and allergen legislation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily catering operations, ensuring high standards of food and service.
• Manage hospitality requests and coordinate events from inquiry to delivery.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and allergen protocols.

Skills

Client relationship management

Operational leadership

Food safety knowledge

Organisational skills

Communication

Education

Experience in catering and event coordination

Job description

40 hours per week / flexible shifts / term time only

Full Time

England, SW15 6BH

We’re a specialist catering company dedicated to providing delicious, healthy and exciting food for Independent Schools. We know the crucial role that food can play on a pupil’s ability to learn, develop and ultimately flourish. Food isn’t simply fuel, it’s critical to creating happy, healthy and inquisitive young minds.
Lexington is committed to safeguarding childrenand colleagues. Candidates that are shortlisted for this role, will be requiredto have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, includingChildren's Barred List.

Catering & Events Manager

The Catering & Events Manager is responsible for overseeing the delivery of high-quality catering and hospitality services within an independent school setting. This includes managing day-to-day pupil and staff dining, coordinating all hospitality bookings and events, and ensuring administrative and financial processes run smoothly. Acting as the key point of contact for the school, the role requires strong client relationship management, operational leadership, and a commitment to maintaining exceptional standards of food, service, and presentation.

Necessary Operational Skills:

The Catering & Events Manager must demonstrate strong operational skills across catering service delivery, client relationship management, and hospitality coordination. They should be highly organised and confident in overseeing day-to-day school dining, planning and executing high-quality hospitality events, and maintaining accurate administrative and financial records. A solid understanding of food safety, allergen management, and compliance is essential, along with the ability to lead teams, communicate effectively, and adapt quickly to changing demands. The role requires attention to detail, financial awareness, and a proactive, client-focused approach to ensure the highest standards are consistently met across all areas of service.

Key Responsibilities:

Client & Relationship Management

· Act as the primary on-site liaison for the school’s leadership and administrative teams.

· Build and maintain a strong, positive relationship with the school, ensuring satisfaction with all aspects of the catering service.

· Regularly meet with the client to review service performance, gather feedback, and implement improvements.

Catering Operations

· Oversee the daily catering provision including pupil meals, staff dining, and any special dietary requirements.

· Support kitchen leadership to ensure meals are delivered to a high standard of presentation, nutrition, and quality.

· Ensure compliance with all food safety, hygiene, and allergen protocols.

Hospitality & Events

· Manage all hospitality requests including staff events, parent evenings, open days, Governors’ meetings, and prize giving.

· Coordinate the full event process—from enquiry and costing to delivery and post-event feedback.

· Maintain a hospitality diary and liaise with chefs and support teams to ensure seamless execution.

Administration & Finance

· Ensure accurate invoicing and recharging of hospitality and ad hoc events.

· Monitor catering budgets and control costs in line with financial targets.

· Maintain accurate records including bookings, stock, wastage, and payroll data.

Leadership & Standards

· Champion a culture of excellence in service, presentation, and customer experience.

· Support and motivate the catering team, working collaboratively with kitchen leadership.

· Conduct regular audits to ensure operational standards are consistently met.

Skills & Experience Required

· Proven experience in catering and event coordination, ideally within an education or hospitality setting.

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a client-first approach.

· Organised, proactive, and capable of managing multiple tasks and priorities.

· Sound knowledge of food hygiene, health & safety, and allergen legislation.

· Financial acumen with experience in managing budgets and reconciling costs.

· Confident user of Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook) and/or hospitality booking systems.

What can you bring?

In this role:

• Proven experience of successfully managing a team
• Genuine interest in customer service excellence
• A strong team player, highly confident and positive
• Self-motivated and innovative
• Previous experience within management, Contract Catering desirable

Working Pattern:

• 40 hours per week / flexible shifts / term time only

Our way of saying thank you…

At Lexington, we strive to ensure that our colleagues feel appreciated & rewarded, which is why we offer generous rewards & benefits in exchange for your dedicated efforts.

• FREE On-Site Lunches:Savour delicious and healthy meals, on us, every day at work
• Flexible Working:Enjoy the freedom to balance work and personal life with our flexible working hours
• Holiday Allowance:Start with 28 days of holiday to relax and recharge, increasing to 31 days after two years of service
• Family Leave:Prioritise your family commitments with our family leave options designed to support you during important times
• Paid Charity Leave:Make a difference in your community with paid time off to volunteer for your favourite causes
• Opportunities for Career Progression:Grow and advance your career with us, supported by continuous learning and development opportunities
• Comprehensive Wellbeing Benefits:Access mental health support and a range of wellbeing benefits to keep you feeling your best, both professionally and personally
• Life Assurance & Pension Schemes:Secure your future with our life assurance and workplace pension schemes
• Exclusive Discounts & Perks:Enjoy discounts and cashback on entertainment, leisure activities, and much more, alongside our popular cycle-to-work scheme

Why it's great to work for us...

At Lexington, we dare to be different in our food, catering, reception services, and work culture. Our values encourage creativity, boldness, and fun, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We nurture talent, helping our people thrive and reach their potential.

We take pride in being an equal opportunity employer and welcome everyone. Let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments or assistance in your application, and feel free to share your pronouns.

Join our award-winning team passionate about serving delicious food to exceptional clients in London. Visit our website to hear from our team first-hand.