Catering Manager - Bedford

Compass Group UK & Ireland; Bedford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in Bedford is seeking an experienced Catering Manager to oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring outstanding service quality and compliance with safety standards. The ideal candidate has at least 3 years of experience in managing catering, strong leadership skills, and knowledge of food safety legislation. This role offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Free meals

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programs

Healthcare benefits

Travel discounts

Food shop discounts

Discounted cinema tickets

Wellness classes

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience managing catering operations in a busy site.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and performance targets.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all catering operations to meet financial and service objectives.
• Build strong client relationships and manage budgets effectively.
• Lead and develop a high-performing catering team.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Client relationship management

Budget management

Food safety legislation knowledge

Tools

Digital catering systems (EPOS, stock control)

Job description

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Job Introduction

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Free meals
• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

We're looking for an experienced Catering Manager to lead the delivery of exceptional food on-site. You'll oversee day-to-day catering operations, ensuring smooth service, outstanding quality, and full compliance with safety and hygiene standards, all while driving financial performance and inspiring your team to deliver excellence.

What You'll Do

• Oversee all catering operations to meet contractual, financial, and service objectives.
• Build strong client relationships through regular communication, performance reviews, and innovation.
• Manage budgets effectively, controlling labour, food, and operating costs to achieve profit targets.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing catering team with a focus on engagement, retention, and progression.
• Step into the kitchen to support the team during periods of annual leave, absence, or peak service demand.
• Ensure full compliance with health, safety, and food hygiene standards, including HACCP and audit requirements.
• Use data and KPIs to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.

What You'll Bring

• Minimum 3 years' experience managing catering operations ideally in a busy, high-volume site
• Strong leadership, communication, and client relationship skills.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, costs, and performance targets.
• Confident leading large teams across multiple shift patterns.
• Solid understanding of food safety legislation and experience implementing HACCP systems.
• Commercial awareness and confidence using digital catering systems (EPOS, stock control, compliance tools).

Desirable

• Culinary background
• Knowledge of sustainable catering practices

About Us

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

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!