Catering Manager

The Methodist Church in Britain; North East; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Employee discounts on shopping, travel

Job summary

Cygnet Health Care's Victoria House (26-bed mental health inpatient service for men) seeks a Catering Manager. You will lead a mixed team, plan menus within budget, and ensure food safety compliance in a demanding clinical setting.

The role is 44 hours per week, requires a catering qualification and a food hygiene certificate, and includes DBS checks for suitability. Experience in managing hospital catering is advantageous.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Food Production or equivalent.
• City & Guilds 706 Levels 1 and 2 or NVQ 2/3 in catering.
• Food hygiene certificate required.
• At least 5 years' catering management experience.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage all catering staff, including bank and agency.
• Plan, organise and control catering to meet standards.
• Lead purchasing within budget and cost analysis.
• Prepare annual budget and monitor food costs.
• Ensure hygiene, health and safety compliance.
• Lead induction and development of the team.
• Support service users and staff on dietary needs.
• Maintain records of meals and wage controls.
• Plan and run hospital events with senior staff.
• Suggest cost reductions and attend meetings.

Skills

Food safety knowledge

Cost control

Menu planning

Team leadership

Communication skills

Organised and proactive

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Food Production

City & Guilds 706 Levels 1 and 2

Food hygiene certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

This Catering Manager post sits at Victoria House, a 26-bed mental health inpatient service for men run by Cygnet Health Care across two wards. The role leads a catering team that includes bank and agency staff, plans menus within budget, controls food costs and keeps the kitchen within food safety and hygiene law. The unit admits men in acute crisis through emergency admission, and the post is 44 hours a week. Candidates need a catering qualification and a food hygiene certificate, and an enhanced DBS check is required.

What the job involves

• Directly manage all catering department staff, including permanent, bank and agency staff, in line with company standards and training policies
• Plan, organise and control the catering operation so food quality, presentation and service meet set standards
• Lead on purchasing materials, consumables, equipment and light equipment within budget
• Help prepare the annual budget, keep food costs within it, and produce cost and sales analysis
• Oversee premises and equipment, and ensure hygiene, health and safety and fire compliance, including the Food Safety Act 1990
• Lead induction, training and development so all team members reach the required skill level
• Lead and motivate the team to achieve the highest standards
• Meet and support service users and staff with issues, including dietary requirements
• Seek and act on feedback from service users, staff and visitors, and review catering output for staff meals and hospitality
• Keep accurate daily records of patient and staff meals, and complete clerical work on controls, records and wages
• Plan and run events agreed with the Assistant General Manager and Registered Managers for the three hospitals on site
• Recommend cost reductions, such as service changes or new suppliers, and attend meetings including Daily Service Meetings, People's Council and Ward Community Meetings

What’s required

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Food Production or an equivalent qualification
• City & Guilds 706 Levels 1 and 2, or NVQ Level 2/3 in catering
• Food hygiene certificate

Experience

• At least 5 years' experience in catering management
• Solid operational and line management experience
• Experience of menu planning and acting on customer feedback

Skills & knowledge

• Detailed knowledge of food safety and related legislation
• Good IT skills, including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Planning nourishing and attractive menus within budget
• Excellent communication with people at all levels
• Flexible, organised, proactive and hands-on approach
• Works under pressure, on own initiative, as part of a team and under supervision

Checks & eligibility

• Enhanced DBS check

Other

• Polite and professional manner with a positive attitude to internal and external guests

Nice to have

• Experience in the care sector

What’s offered

• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee discounts on shopping, travel and leisure
• Healthcare and financial benefits
• Strong career progression opportunities
• Expert supervision and support
• Professional development