Catering Manager

40 hours per week

Monday - Friday - with evenings and weekends where required for the business

£30,000 - £31,900 per annum

Sodexo rewards and benefits

Sodexo is seeking an experienced and motivated Catering Manager to lead food and catering operations at RAF Brize Norton
, one of the RAF's largest and busiest stations. This is a high-profile role where you will be responsible for delivering outstanding food quality, service excellence, and operational performance within a demanding and dynamic environment.

You will lead and inspire front and back of house teams, ensure compliance with food safety and health & safety standards, manage budgets and financial performance, and act as a key representative for Sodexo at unit level.

What you'll do:

• Plan, organise and coordinate daily catering operations within the dining facility
• Oversee food preparation, cooking and presentation to the highest quality standards
• Manage menu planning using the central menu bank, ensuring cost control and stock management
• Plan and deliver functions, including menu design and costing, in conjunction with the General Manager
• Support attached messes and ensure continuity of service in the absence of senior kitchen staff
• Drive continuous improvement through audits, inspections and action planning

• Lead by example, role modelling Sodexo values at all times
• Manage, motivate and develop front of house and catering teams
• Support performance management, training, welfare and disciplinary processes in line with HR policies
• Assess team competence and ensure all legislative and business requirements are met
• Champion effective communication and colleague engagement

• Ensure full compliance with food safety, health & safety, and quality management systems
• Maintain standards in line with UBHC, QA, Safeguard and ROL requirements
• Be accountable for cash handling, stock control and banking activities

• Take full responsibility for financial performance against weekly, monthly and annual budgets
• Deliver menu and function costing in line with company policy
• Contribute to monthly financial reviews, KPIs and improvement plans
• Drive revenue growth and continuous improvement in gross profit

• Build and maintain strong relationships with the client, customers and key stakeholders
• Act as the main conduit for all PAYD-related internal and external relationships
• Deliver services aligned to defence client objectives and customer needs

• Champion food quality, craft skills, innovation and brand standards
• Ensure all food, marketing and merchandising initiatives are delivered to specification
• Support PAYD training plans to improve food quality, presentation and skills
• Embed Sodexo service excellence, CSR and compliance standards across the business

What you bring:

• Proven management experience in catering or hospitality
• Relevant qualification (e.g. BSc Catering, MHCIM, HND, City & Guilds 706/1 & 2, NVQ Level 2 &
  3)
• Intermediate Food Safety qualification
• Strong numerical, written and verbal communication skills
• Sound knowledge of health & safety and food safety legislation
• Experience in a similar role within the service industry
• Competent in MS Word, Excel and Outlook
• High attention to detail and commitment to standards

Desirable

• IOSH or CIEH qualification
• Experience managing client relationships
• Proven ability to lead, manage and develop teams
• Experience in a military or defence environment
• Previous PAYD experience

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it's a chance to be part of something greater. You'll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you'll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you'll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we offer:

• Mental health & wellbeing support
• Employee Assistance Programme for personal, legal, and financial advice
• 24/7 virtual GP & lifestyle rewards
• Discounts for you & family
• Financial tools & retirement plan
• Cycle to Work & Paid volunteering day

Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today!