Catering Manager

Catering Manager What You’ll Be Doing As a Catering Manager, you’ll lead from the front – ensuring our kitchens and service counters run smoothly while delivering truly exceptional food experiences. Working Term Time Only - Monday to Friday.

This is more than just a kitchen role. You’ll inspire your team, drive standards, manage performance, and ensure every customer receives incredible food and service. In return, you’ll have the opportunity to progress your catering career with a company that invests in its people, celebrates individuality, and recognises those who go beyond the plate.

More About the Role Your key responsibilities will include:

Preparing delicious, high-quality food to the highest standards

Supervising culinary and catering teams to deliver impeccable food and service

Overseeing all in-unit catering operations, including stock control, cost management, and budget monitoring

Communicating regularly with your line manager to track KPIs and performance targets

Representing Compass Group UK & Ireland and maintaining a strong, positive brand image

Identifying opportunities to introduce new food or service concepts to drive sales

Acting as the link between customers and kitchen teams to consistently exceed expectations

Supporting, coaching and developing your team — leading by example every day

Implementing and reviewing Health & Safety procedures to ensure full compliance

Who You Are Our ideal Catering Manager will:

Be passionate about great food and outstanding customer service

Have at least two years’ catering experience

Have experience managing teams in a similar role

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

Hold a Basic Food Hygiene certificate

Demonstrate strong financial and commercial awareness

Have excellent communication and organisational skills

Be ambitious, motivated and committed to continuous development

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

Contributory pension scheme

Grow your career with our Career Pathways and My Learning programmes

Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits

Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, (url removed) and many more

Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more

Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster

Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands

Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes

You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

Please note:

This role is contracted to 46 weeks per year

About Us

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.

Job Reference: com/2002/(phone number removed)/(phone number removed)/R/SU #State Schools

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