Catering Manager - Didcot

Compass Group UK; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Eurest is seeking an inspiring Catering Manager to lead our catering operation across two modern office locations on the same business park in Didcot. This role oversees a high-end complimentary dining experience for employees, with breakfasts, lunches, drinks and snacks, delivering first-class food and service.

You will manage a team, collaborate with the culinary team, monitor KPIs, budgets, labour and compliance, and coordinate occasional evening events and hospitality on client request.

Qualifications

• Experience as Catering Manager or similar leadership in contract catering or hospitality.
• Proven ability to coach, develop and inspire teams.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and labour.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Leading, motivating and developing your catering team to deliver outstanding customer service every day.
• Overseeing the catering operation across two office locations, ensuring consistently high standards.
• Working closely with the culinary team to deliver an exciting, fresh and varied food offer.
• Ensuring exceptional food presentation, service standards and customer satisfaction.
• Managing budgets, labour, stock control and purchasing to achieve strong commercial performance.
• Building strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders, ensuring expectations are consistently exceeded.
• Maintaining the highest standards of food safety, health & safety and compliance across the operation.
• Coordinating occasional evening hospitality and events as requested by the client.
• Monitoring performance through KPIs, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Driving innovation and creating a welcoming environment where both customers and colleagues thrive.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Staff development

Customer service

Food safety

Operations management

Job description

Catering Manager

£34,331 per annum
Monday – Friday | Between 7:00am – 5:00pm
Occasional evening hospitality as requested by the client

Lead a Premium Workplace Dining Experience

At Eurest, we believe food has the power to transform the working day. We're passionate about creating better breaks through exceptional food, outstanding service and memorable experiences.

We're looking for an inspiring Catering Manager to lead our catering operation across two modern office locations on the same business park in Didcot. This is far more than a traditional catering management role – it's an opportunity to oversee a high-end complimentary dining experience that employees genuinely look forward to every day.

From freshly prepared breakfasts and vibrant lunches to quality drinks, snacks and occasional hospitality, you'll ensure every customer enjoys first-class food and service with a smile while leading your team to deliver operational excellence.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading, motivating and developing your catering team to deliver outstanding customer service every day.
• Overseeing the catering operation across two office locations, ensuring consistently high standards.
• Working closely with the culinary team to deliver an exciting, fresh and varied food offer.
• Ensuring exceptional food presentation, service standards and customer satisfaction.
• Managing budgets, labour, stock control and purchasing to achieve strong commercial performance.
• Building strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders, ensuring expectations are consistently exceeded.
• Maintaining the highest standards of food safety, health & safety and compliance across the operation.
• Coordinating occasional evening hospitality and events as requested by the client.
• Monitoring performance through KPIs, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Driving innovation and creating a welcoming environment where both customers and colleagues thrive.

We're Looking For Someone Who

• Has previous experience as a Catering Manager, General Manager or in a similar operational leadership role within contract catering or hospitality.
• Is passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences and high-quality workplace dining.
• Has strong leadership skills with a proven ability to coach, develop and inspire teams.
• Possesses excellent commercial awareness with experience managing budgets, labour and financial performance.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment and can confidently manage changing priorities and client expectations.
• Has outstanding organisational and time management skills.
• Communicates confidently with colleagues, clients and senior stakeholders.
• Takes pride in delivering consistently high standards and leading by example.
• Has a proactive approach to problem solving and driving continuous improvement.

Why Join Eurest?

At Eurest, we're redefining workplace dining by creating experiences that bring people together through great food and exceptional service. We invest in our people, encourage innovation and provide genuine opportunities to build a rewarding career within one of the UK's leading food and support services businesses.

As a Catering Manager, you'll enjoy a fantastic Monday to Friday working pattern with the opportunity to make a real impact, leading a premium operation that values quality, service and teamwork.

If you're an experienced catering leader who enjoys building high-performing teams, developing strong client relationships and delivering exceptional workplace dining experiences, we'd love to hear from you.