Unit Catering Manager (Full Time - 40 hours)

Jewish Care; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Jewish Care in Greater London is seeking a Unit Catering Manager who will oversee dining for residents. This role blends hands-on cooking (80%) with operational management (20%), leading a small team to deliver nutritious, seasonal menus aligned with Jewish dietary practices and delivering exceptional service.

The post involves 5 days out of 7 with some weekend rota work and shifts from 6:00-14:30 or 11:00-19:30. The ideal candidate has formal catering qualifications and strong leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Chef with catering operation management.
• Essential knowledge of dietary needs and food safety.
• Strong budgeting and cost-control abilities.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Culinary Management: prepare, cook and present high-quality meals tailored to residents' dietary needs and preferences.
• Menu development and recipe management using standard systems.
• Ensure strict compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.
• Client-Facing: engage with residents and families to understand dietary requirements and ensure satisfaction.
• Operational Management: oversee day-to-day catering operations, EPOS and stock control.
• Team Leadership: mentor, schedule and develop the catering team.
• Financial Management: monitor budget and perform regular financial reporting.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Excellent communication

Client-facing skills

IT literacy

Team leadership

Budget management

Education

NVQ Level 2 or 3 in relevant fields

City & Guilds 706 1/2 or equivalent

Tools

EPOS systems

Future Workforce Management System

Inventory management software

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.