Senior Catering Manager

Af Consulting; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in Cape Town is seeking a Senior Catering Manager to oversee kitchen and coffee shop operations. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, at least 5 years of experience in senior management, and a formal qualification in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management. Responsibilities include managing the kitchen team, maintaining food safety standards, and ensuring a high level of customer service. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a passionate team committed to providing excellent service.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in a senior management role in catering or healthcare.
• Strong understanding of stock control and waste reduction.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Steer a full kitchen and coffee shop operation daily.
• Oversee customer accounts and ensure efficient billing.
• Uphold food safety, hygiene, and quality standards.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Kitchen operations

Menu costing

Event coordination

Communication in English and Afrikaans

Inventory control

HR processes

Education

Formal qualification in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management

Tools

Point-of-Sale systems

MS Office

Job description

Overview

Role : Senior Catering Manager

Location : Cape Peninsula - Kommetjie

Salary : TBC

What your days might look like

• Steering a full kitchen and coffee shop operation no two days are ever the same
• Supporting your team with hands-on guidance and honest leadership
• Balancing the books, stock, and schedules while still making time for a customer conversation
• Coordinating functions that make people feel seen, celebrated, and cared for
• Overseeing customer accounts and ensuring efficient, accurate billing
• Keeping things clean, safe, and always up to standard from the laundry to the last cup of coffee
• Upholding food safety, hygiene, and quality standards
• Managing suppliers, deliveries, and budget controls with precision

Who you are

• A seasoned leader with at least 58 years experience in a similar senior management role ideally in a hospital, healthcare, or high-volume catering environment
• Strong understanding of kitchen operations, stock control, portioning, waste reduction, and menu costing
• Experience in running a coffee shop, with a focus on customer service, quality control, and daily operations
• Skilled in coordinating functions and events from planning to execution
• Knowledgeable in special dietary requirements and how to integrate them into menu planning and service
• Proficient in Point-of-Sale systems, stock systems, and general computer literacy (MS Office, email, basic reporting)
• Experienced in HR processes, including payroll, discipline, staff supervision, and performance management
• Familiar with labour legislation and basic Industrial Relations (IR) procedures
• Excellent communicator fluent in both English and Afrikaans
• Well-organised, solution-oriented, and calm under pressure
• Able and willing to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays
• A natural people-person who builds strong relationships with clients, staff, and suppliers
• Out-of-the-box thinker who thrives in environments where no two days are the same
• Must have a valid drivers licence and own transport
• A formal qualification in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or a related field will be a strong advantage

Why this role matters

Because here, food is more than nourishment, its connection. Service is more than duty, its dignity. And we believe the right person in this role will do more than manage, theyll lead a team that genuinely cares .

If this sounds like your kind of challenge, dont wait. Were hiring soon, and wed love to meet the person who reads this and thinks : this was written for me.