Catering Operations Manager

NHS; Kettering; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust seeks a Catering Operations Manager to oversee high-volume catering services across multiple hospital sites. You will manage the patient meal service and cafe operations, ensuring quality and compliance whilst leading diverse teams across various locations.

Qualifications

• Experience in a catering environment with practical cleaning skills.
• Knowledge of computer technologies and software.
• Allergen awareness and training.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall food service operation for NHFT.
• Manage services ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.
• Oversee the financial performance of countywide cafe services.

Skills

Leadership

Contingency Planning

Problem Solving

Allergen Awareness

Education

Degree qualification

Advanced Food Hygiene Level 4

Tools

Computer technologies

Job description

Job summary

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) requires a Catering Operations Manager experienced in high-volume catering services. The role demands both management and practical skills to oversee a seven-day, all-year-round service.

The catering service provides patient meals across eight hospital sites in Northamptonshire, each with its own production kitchen. Six sites also feature staff and visitor cafes, which are included in this management portfolio.

A hospital patient meal service must operate reliably, requiring excellent contingency planning, quick thinking, and problem-solving skills.

The cafes serve as essential services for staff nutrition and visitor convenience.

The Catering Operations Manager is part of the NHFT Hotel Service Department, working alongside managers of domestic, portering, reception, and administration, reporting to the deputy and general manager.

The position is 37.5 hours per week, mainly Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00, with flexibility for shifts to meet business needs.

Car owner/driver and a valid driving license are essential, or access to a vehicle, as travel across multiple locations in the county is required (unless disabled as per the Equality Act 2010).

Main duties of the job

• Responsible for the overall food service operation for NHFT, including inpatient meals and countywide cafes.
• Manage services ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and external registration bodies.
• Act as the trust's lead expert for food services, representing NHFT externally and internally.
• Embed NHS food standards into service delivery, with reporting to NHSE and the Trust as needed.
• Maintain and update systems, processes, and policies such as HACCP and Food Safety policies.
• Oversee the financial performance of countywide cafe services within budget.
• Liaise with external bodies like Environmental Health.
• Participate in NHS food service bodies such as the Hospital Caterers Association (HCA).

About us

NHFT is an integrated primary care and mental health Trust, delivering physical, mental health, and specialty services in hospitals and community settings, including prisons in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

Details

Date posted: 30 June 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £37,338 to £44,962 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 270-TG513-CORP

Location: St. Mary’s Hospital, 77 London Road, Kettering, NN15 7PW

Job responsibilities

Further details are available in the job description under Supporting Documents and the person specification in the About You section.

Person Specification

Experience (Essential):

• Experience in a catering environment with practical cleaning skills
• Knowledge of computer technologies and software
• Leadership across multiple teams
• Allergen awareness and training
• Degree qualification
• Advanced Food Hygiene Level 4

Desirable:

• Managing multiple budgets
• Knowledge of nutrition and dietary requirements

Knowledge (Essential):

• General education, literacy, and numeracy
• Understanding of health and safety, hygiene

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This role requires a DBS check as per the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Employer details

Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

St. Mary’s Hospital, 77 London Road, Kettering, NN15 7PW

Website: https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/