Head of Retail (Catering) Charlton

CH&CO; London; On-site; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A renowned catering company is seeking a passionate Head of Retail (Catering) to lead food and beverage operations at a major football club in London. This role involves overseeing retail catering units, managing a team, and enhancing the fan experience through quality service. The ideal candidate will have experience in senior catering management and a strong commercial acumen.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior catering or F&B retail management role.
• Strong leadership, team management, and organisational skills.
• A commercial mindset with experience in cost control and profit maximisation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the end-to-end operation of retail catering units.
• Recruit, train, and manage a catering retail team.
• Monitor and report on sales, margins, and customer feedback.

Skills

Senior catering management

Team management

Cost control

Supplier negotiation

Food hygiene standards

Calm under pressure

Job description

CH&Co is looking for a passionate and experienced Head of Retail (Catering) to lead and develop our matchday and event-day food and beverage operations at Charlton Athletic Football Club. From kiosks to mobile units and fan zone food offerings, this role is central to delivering quality, efficiency, and a first-class fan experience across all catering outlets.

About the Role:

As Head of Retail (Catering), you'll be responsible for the planning, delivery, and commercial success of all stadium F&B retail operations. Working closely with internal teams and external partners, you'll lead the charge in transforming how fans experience food and drink at The Valley - driving standards, increasing revenue, and delivering consistently excellent service.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee the end-to-end operation of all retail catering units on matchdays and non-matchday events.
• Recruit, train, and manage a catering retail team, including supervisors, kiosk staff, and casual workers.
• Lead on planning, logistics, and stock control to ensure smooth operations across all outlets.
• Work with suppliers to deliver a high-quality and varied product range, with a focus on fan satisfaction and profitability.
• Monitor and report on sales, margins, and customer feedback to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all health and safety, hygiene, and licensing regulations.
• Implement efficient systems and processes for ordering and service delivery.
• Contribute to marketing promotions and matchday campaigns that boost spend-per-head and fan engagement.

What We're Looking For:

• Proven experience in a senior catering or F&B retail management role (stadium, venue, or large-scale event experience preferred).
• Strong leadership, team management, and organisational skills.
• A commercial mindset with experience in cost control, profit maximisation, and supplier negotiation.
• Understanding of health & safety, food hygiene standards, and allergen legislation.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and remain calm under pressure.
• Availability to work weekends, evenings, and matchdays as required.