Unit Catering Manager (Full Time - 40 hours)

Jewish Care; Chipping Barnet; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Jewish Care is seeking a dynamic Unit Catering Manager to oversee the dining experience for residents in a care setting. The role blends culinary leadership with people management, budgeting, and compliance, delivering nutritious, culturally appropriate menus.

You will lead a small team, manage menus and dietary needs, and ensure outstanding service while maintaining operational efficiency. The role involves 80% cooking and 20% management, with shifts across 5 days in 7 and some weekends on a

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in relevant fields (Essential)
• Proven experience as a Chef and in managing catering operations, preferably in a care home or similar environment (Essential)
• At least five years' experience in a busy kitchen (Essential)
• Awareness of COSHH (Essential)
• Experience working to deadlines and adhering to budgetary requirements (Essential)
• Takes responsibility for own work and making improvements where possible (Essential)
• Awareness of waste disposal techniques and infection control (Essential)
• Working knowledge of Health and Safety legislation (Essential)
• Exceptional culinary skills with a strong understanding of dietary needs and restrictions (Essential)
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal (Essential)
• IT Literacy – with an ability to pick up new systems with ease (Essential)
• Ability to communicate and manage interpersonal relationships, including influencing skills (Essential)
• Strong client-facing skills with a commitment to excellent customer service (Essential)
• Proficient in using EPOS systems and other relevant software (Desirable)

Responsibilities

• Prepare, cook, and present high-quality meals tailored to residents' dietary needs.
• Developing and managing menus using the Indicator Menu & Recipe Management System.
• Ensuring strict compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.
• Engaging with residents and families to understand and cater to dietary preferences and requirements.
• Maintaining high levels of customer service, ensuring resident satisfaction.
• Overseeing day-to-day catering operations, ensuring smooth service delivery.
• Managing the EPOS system for accurate billing and inventory tracking.
• Implement and manage the Future Workforce Management System for optimal staff scheduling.
• Leading, mentoring, and motivating the catering team, fostering a positive working environment.
• Developing staff rotas to ensure adequate coverage and efficient operation.
• Providing ongoing training and development opportunities for team members.
• Monitoring and managing the catering budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and financial efficiency.
• Conducting regular financial reporting and analysis to track performance against budget.

Skills

Culinary skills

Communication skills

IT literacy

Interpersonal skills

Team leadership

Customer service

Budget awareness

Education

NVQ Level 2/3

City of Guilds 7061/2

Tools

EPOS systems

Future Workforce Management System

Job description

We are seeking a dynamic Unit Catering Manager to oversee the dining experience for our Residents. This role is perfect for a chef who is not only passionate about cooking but also loves engaging with people. You will lead a small team to develop and prepare nutritional, seasonal menus that align with Jewish cultural practices while ensuring exceptional customer service and operational efficiency.

The role will involve 80% Cooking and 20% operational management.

This post is working 5 days out of 7 and some weekends on a rota basis.

Shifts are: 6.00am to 2.30pm or 11.00am to 7.30pm

What you will be doing:

Culinary Management:

• Preparing, cooking, and present high-quality meals tailored to residents' dietary needs.
• Developing and managing menus using the Indicator Menu & Recipe Management System.
• Ensuring strict compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.

Client-Facing and Customer Service:

• Engaging with residents and families to understand and cater to dietary preferences and requirements.
• Maintaining high levels of customer service, ensuring resident satisfaction.
• Addressing any concerns or complaints promptly and professionally.

Operational Management:

• Overseeing day-to-day catering operations, ensuring smooth service delivery.
• Managing the EPOS system for accurate billing and inventory tracking.
• Implement and manage the Future Workforce Management System for optimal staff scheduling.
• Managing stock control, including ordering supplies, maintaining inventory, and reducing wastage.
• Ensuring efficient processing and management of invoices.

Team Leadership:

• Leading, mentoring, and motivating the catering team, fostering a positive working environment.
• Developing staff rotas to ensure adequate coverage and efficient operation.
• Providing ongoing training and development opportunities for team members.

Financial Management:

• Monitoring and managing the catering budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and financial efficiency.
• Conducting regular financial reporting and analysis to track performance against budget.

What you will need:

• City of Guilds 706 1 / 2 or equivalent (Desirable)
• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in relevant fields (Essential)
• Proven experience as a Chef and in managing catering operations, preferably in a care home or similar environment (Essential)
• At least five years' experience in a busy kitchen (Essential)
• Awareness of COSHH (Essential)
• Experience working to deadlines and adhering to budgetary requirements (Essential)
• Takes responsibility for own work and making improvements where possible (Essential)
• Awareness of waste disposal techniques and infection control (Essential)
• Working knowledge of Health and Safety legislation (Essential)
• Exceptional culinary skills with a strong understanding of dietary needs and restrictions (Essential)
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal (Essential)
• IT Literacy – with an ability to pick up new systems with ease (Essential)
• Ability to communicate and manage interpersonal relationships, including influencing skills (Essential)
• Strong client-facing skills with a commitment to excellent customer service (Essential)
• Proficient in using EPOS systems and other relevant software (Desirable)
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills (Essential)
• Ability to lead and manage a team effectively (Essential)
• Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management (Essential)

Join our team and make a meaningful impact in a role that blends culinary expertise with exceptional management and customer service skills.

Jewish Care is the largest provider of health and social care services for the Jewish community in the UK. Every week, we touch the lives of 10,000 people. We provide services to a range of people including older people, people with mental health needs and people living with dementia.

Our five values are at the heart of the way we work. They drive how we act as individuals and as an organisation and shape our culture. We value Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion, and Inclusivity.

Jewish Care operate a rolling recruitment process and reserve the right to close the advert once a suitable candidate has been identified.