Catering Strategy Leader: Innovation, Growth & Excellence

XC Trains Limited; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work option

Job summary

CrossCountry is seeking a Head of Catering Strategy in a hybrid Birmingham role to shape and lead our catering proposition, balancing customer experience with commercial performance. You will own the strategy, budgets, food safety, and supplier partnerships while driving innovation and operational excellence across service centres and on-board operations.

This senior leadership position requires strategic thinking, strong stakeholder engagement, and a track record of improving customer value,

Qualifications

• Proven strategic leadership with ability to set direction.
• Strong commercial acumen including budget ownership and forecasting.
• Excellent problem-solving to interpret data and find solutions.
• Experience leading change and improving customer experience and operations.
• Experience in customer-focused environments.
• Strong people leadership and stakeholder management.
• Knowledge of statutory food safety and compliance.
• Excellent communication and influencing at senior level.
• Experience collaborating with suppliers and trade unions.
• Negotiation skills balancing commercial, ops, safety.
• Food hygiene certificates advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver CrossCountry's catering strategy with annual plan and measurable objectives.
• Accountable for catering budgets, financial performance and margins.
• Ensure food safety policies, audits, and compliance.
• Set expectations for catering team and foster high-performance culture.
• Test and implement new propositions, processes and technologies.
• Develop strategic supplier relationships and manage service levels.
• Develop and improve on-board service standards and training.
• Evolve customer proposition using insights and market trends.
• Provide operational support through Service Centres in Birmingham and region.
• Work with trade unions; plan and consult on changes.
• Oversee catering systems (e.g., NOVO) to improve data and reporting.
• Influence senior leadership with strategic input.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Commercial acumen

Problem-solving

People leadership

Communication skills

Negotiation

Food safety knowledge

Education

Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate

Professional qualification in food safety

Job description

CrossCountry is seeking a Head of Catering Strategy in a hybrid Birmingham role to shape and lead our catering proposition, balancing customer experience with commercial performance. You will own the strategy, budgets, food safety, and supplier partnerships while driving innovation and operational excellence across service centres and on-board operations.

This senior leadership position requires strategic thinking, strong stakeholder engagement, and a track record of improving customer value,