School Catering Manager

Compass Group; Greenwich; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering service provider in Greenwich is seeking a Catering Manager to oversee food quality and manage catering teams. Candidates should have at least two years of experience, relevant qualifications in catering, and strong communication skills. This role requires a passion for exceptional customer service and financial acumen. The position is full-time and offers a dynamic work environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of catering experience.
• Experience managing teams in a similar role.

Responsibilities

• Preparing delicious food to the highest standards.
• Supervising culinary and catering teams.
• Overseeing catering operations and budgets.
• Communicating regular KPIs with line manager.
• Maintaining a positive brand image.
• Identifying opportunities for new food concepts.
• Liaison between customers and culinary teams.
• Training and supporting team members.
• Implementing Health & Safety standards.

Skills

Great-tasting food passion

Exceptional customer service

Financial acumen

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Team management experience

Education

NVQ Level 1 & 2 or City & Guilds 706/1 and 2

Basic Food Hygiene certificate

Job description

Shift Pattern

Here’s an idea of what your shift pattern will be:

• Mon: Full-time (Days)
• Tues: Full-time (Days)
• Weds: Full-time (Days)
• Thurs: Full-time (Days)
• Fri: Full-time (Days)
• Sat:
• Sun:

Please note: This role is contracted to 43.6 weeks per year

Key Responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Preparing delicious food to the highest standards
• Supervising our culinary and catering teams to ensure we continue to deliver impeccable food and customer service
• Overseeing the efficiency of all in‑unit catering operations, including managing inventories, monitoring budgets, and implementing action plans
• Communicating regularly with your line manager to monitor KPIs and targets
• Representing Compass Group UK&I and maintaining a positive brand image
• Identifying opportunities for new food or service concepts to drive sales
• Liaising between customers and our culinary and service teams to ensure we continue to exceed expectations
• Supporting and training our teams, leading from the front to make sure everyone can excel in their role
• Implementing and reviewing Health & Safety standards to ensure compliance across all catering and service teams.

Ideal Candidate

Our ideal Catering Manager will:

• Be passionate about great‑tasting food and exceptional customer service
• Have a minimum of two years of catering experience
• Have experience managing teams in a similar role
• Hold an NVQ Level 1 & 2 or City & Guilds 706/1 and 2
• Hold a Basic Food Hygiene certificate
• Demonstrate brilliant financial acumen
• Have excellent communication and organisational skills
• Be an ambitious and motivated individual who is always looking to upskill

About Chartwells

Part of Compass Group UK&I, Chartwells is the leading provider of catering and support services to the education sector. For over a quarter of a century, Chartwells has been focusing on helping those in education to build strong bodies, sharp minds and lead long healthy lives. Every week, Chartwells serves millions of nutritious and delicious meals to pupils and students in primary and secondary schools, academies, independent schools, colleges, and universities across the UK. Chartwells is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all employees to share this commitment. Any offer of employment will be subject to successfully completing pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced DBS disclosure and a Children’s Barred List check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and we ask applicants to declare all previous convictions and cautions in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

Equal Opportunity

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!

Job Reference: com/0810/99308001/52521734/WJ #State Schools