Catering Manager

Compass Group UK; Wickford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in Wickford is seeking an experienced Catering Manager to oversee catering and service operations. This role requires a passion for great food and customer service, with responsibilities including team supervision, operational management, and training. The ideal candidate will have significant catering experience and relevant qualifications. Attractive perks include operational training and a wellbeing strategy.

Benefits

Operational training and development

Life assurance scheme

Personal Development opportunities

Wellbeing strategy access

Regular social events

Holiday purchase scheme

High street discount vouchers

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of catering experience.
• Experience managing teams in a similar role.
• Demonstrate brilliant financial acumen.
• Motivated individual looking to upskill.

Responsibilities

• Preparing delicious food to the highest standards.
• Supervising culinary and catering teams.
• Overseeing efficiency of catering operations.
• Communicating with line manager on KPIs.
• Maintaining a positive brand image.
• Identifying new food or service concepts.
• Liaising between customers and culinary teams.
• Supporting and training teams to excel.
• Implementing Health & Safety standards.

Skills

Great-tasting food passion

Exceptional customer service

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Team management experience

Education

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

Basic Food Hygiene certificate

Job description

We’re recruiting an experienced Catering Manager who is passionate about exceptional food and world‑class customer service, and who can confidently oversee all Compass Group UK&I catering and service operations for CHCO on a full time basis, contracted to 35 hours per week.

As a Catering Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring our kitchens and service counters run smoothly and helping to deliver truly incredible food experiences. In return, you’ll have the opportunity to progress your catering career with a company that invests in its people, celebrates individuality, and rewards and recognises employees who go beyond the plate.

Working with us has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we’ve developed a range of benefits and development opportunities:

• Great operational training and development
• Life assurance scheme
• Personal Development and Training opportunities - We are passionate about our growing team
• A great wellbeing strategy – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Regular social events and communication with our leaders
• A holiday purchase scheme
• Access to some great high street discount vouchers

Here’s an idea of what your shift pattern will be:

• Mon: Mornings
• Tues: Mornings
• Weds: Mornings
• Thurs: Mornings
• Fri: Mornings
• Sat:
• Sun:

Please note: This role is contracted to 45 weeks per year.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparing delicious food to the highest standards
• Supervising our culinary and catering teams to ensure we continue to deliver impeccable food and customer service
• Overseeing the efficiency of all in‑unit catering operations, including managing inventories, monitoring budgets, and implementing action plans
• Communicating regularly with your line manager to monitor KPIs and targets
• Representing Compass Group UK&I and maintaining a positive brand image
• Identifying opportunities for new food or service concepts to drive sales
• Liaising between customers and our culinary and service teams to ensure we continue to exceed expectations
• Supporting and training our teams, leading from the front to make sure everyone can excel in their role
• Implementing and reviewing Health & Safety standards to ensure compliance across all catering and service teams

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Be passionate about great‑tasting food and exceptional customer service
• Have a minimum of two years of catering experience
• Have experience managing teams in a similar role
• Hold an NVQ Level 1 & 2 or City & Guilds 706/1 and 2
• Hold a Basic Food Hygiene certificate
• Demonstrate brilliant financial acumen
• Have excellent communication and organisational skills
• Be an ambitious and motivated individual who is always looking to upskill

About CHCO

CHCO, a part of Compass Group UK&I, is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive – because diversity is our strength!