Catering Operations Manager

Blue Arrow; Trull; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering and events company in the UK is seeking a Catering & Events Operations Manager to oversee all catering operations in a high-volume environment. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in large-scale leisure or event settings. Responsibilities include managing teams, executing catering strategies across multiple venues, and ensuring exceptional guest experiences. The role demands strong leadership, organizational skills, and a commercial mindset along with a full UK driving licence.

Benefits

Time off in lieu

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in large-scale leisure, sport or event environments (3,000+ guests).
• Experience managing large teams and delivering multi-site or multi-faceted events.
• Proven ability to manage labour costs and deliver to budget.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and execute the catering strategy across multiple venues.
• Lead and develop all catering teams on site, ensuring top-tier food and service quality.
• Plan and manage rotas, staffing levels and labour budgets for all events.
• Support and develop team members through structured PDPs and regular reviews.
• Ensure venues operate at the highest standard through daily checks and operational oversight.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Client Management

Organizational Skills

Decision Making

Process Driven

Education

Business/Event Management Degree

GCSEs in Maths & English (C or above)

Tools

IT and Business Systems

Job description

Overview

Are you an experienced hospitality leader who thrives in high-volume, fast-paced environments? We’re looking for a dynamic Catering & Events Operations Manager to oversee all catering operations—including in-house teams, third-party concessions, race day mobilisation, events delivery and F&B performance—across a busy, multi-venue leisure and events setting.

This is a hands-on, strategic role leading large teams and high-profile events, with a focus on driving service standards, revenue growth, and exceptional guest experiences.

What you'll be doing

• Deliver and execute the catering strategy across multiple venues.
• Lead and develop all catering teams on site, ensuring top-tier food and service quality.
• Plan and manage rotas, staffing levels and labour budgets for all events.
• Work closely with sales and business teams to plan catering for racing and non-racing events.
• Take ownership of high-volume operations, delivering exceptional results for key clients.
• Manage variable labour and F&B cost controls across hospitality, retail, kitchens and bars.
• Support and develop team members through structured PDPs and regular reviews.
• Help shape a unified catering and events strategy that maximises revenue and commercial opportunities.
• Develop retail operations, brand presence and menu/offer across all venues.
• Collaborate with chefs, site leaders and support teams to deliver consistent F&B standards.
• Lead training initiatives focused on customer service, product knowledge and operational excellence.
• Support recruitment, reduce agency reliance and build a stable, engaged casual workforce.
• Maintain financial awareness, analyse reports and take action to improve performance.
• Ensure venues operate at the highest standard through daily checks and operational oversight.
• Coordinate all administrative, operational and planning tasks for race days and events.

What success looks like

• Strong control of labour budgets
• Improved staff recruitment & retention
• Reduced agency usage
• Increased spend per head across F&B areas
• Consistent delivery of service excellence
• Positive guest, owner & trainer feedback

What we're looking for

Essential:

• Minimum 5 years' experience in large-scale leisure, sport or event environments (3,000+ guests).
• High-volume hospitality background—conferencing, banqueting, restaurants, hotels or stadium events.
• Strong leadership, communication and client management skills.
• Experience managing large teams and delivering multi-site or multi-faceted events.
• Proven ability to manage labour costs and deliver to budget.
• Highly organised, process-driven, calm under pressure.
• Commercially astute with strong IT and business systems skills.
• Excellent decision-maker and people developer.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable:

• Personal licence holder
• Business/Event Management Degree
• IOSH Managing Safely
• GCSEs in Maths & English (C or above)

Hours

Flexible to meet the needs of events, including evenings and weekends. Time off in lieu is provided.

Blue Arrow is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to helping find great work opportunities for great people