Catering Manager - Durham

Compass Group UK; Parkhill; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Compass Group UK is seeking a Catering Manager in Durham to lead a high-volume operation. The role focuses on delivering outstanding food service, managing a large team and maintaining stringent safety and quality standards.

The position is primarily Monday–Friday on a site that operates 24/7, with occasional evening or weekend support to ensure smooth running. An experience-led candidate with strong leadership and client relationship skills is preferred.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading teams in a fast-paced catering environment.
• Ability to manage budgets and optimize costs.
• Strong focus on food quality, safety and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day catering operation on a high-volume site.
• Lead, motivate and develop a large team to maintain high standards.
• Manage budgets, labour, stock and financial performance.

Skills

People leadership

Budget management

High-volume operation

Food quality & safety

Client relationship management

Job description

Catering Manager - Durham

£44,077 per annum | Mainly Monday–Friday | 24/7 Site

Are you an experienced Catering Manager who thrives in a fast-paced, high-volume environment? We’re looking for a confident and commercially focused Catering Manager to lead a busy operation in Durham.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced leader who enjoys managing large teams, driving standards and delivering an exceptional catering experience for customers.

What you’ll be doing

• Taking overall responsibility for the day-to-day catering operation across this high-volume site.
• Leading, motivating and developing a large team to deliver consistently high standards.
• Managing food quality, service, health & safety and compliance.
• Overseeing budgets, labour, stock, costs and financial performance.
• Building strong relationships with the client and key stakeholders.
• Driving continuous improvement across the operation and identifying opportunities to enhance the customer experience.
• Ensuring the team delivers an efficient, professional and customer-focused service.
• Providing leadership and operational support across the site when required.

What we’re looking for

You’ll be an experienced Catering Manager or senior hospitality leader with a proven track record of managing a high-volume operation.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has strong people leadership and team management experience.
• Is commercially aware and confident managing budgets and costs.
• Can work effectively in a fast-paced, complex environment.
• Builds strong client and stakeholder relationships.
• Is hands-on, organised and confident making decisions.
• Has a genuine passion for delivering great food and service.

The practical bits

The role is mainly Monday–Friday, however, this is a 24/7 operation, so some evening and weekend working will occasionally be required to provide operational support and ensure the site runs smoothly.

A bespoke client background check will be required as part of the recruitment process.