Title:  Catering Manager

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Multi-unit Catering Manager to lead our vibrant catering operation at Hartpury University and College. With two exciting new openings launching in September 2026, including a weekend dining experience and a Juice & Smoothie Bar, this is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a diverse and growing hospitality portfolio. From our busy main restaurant and Costa Coffee outlets to events, hospitality, retail and residential dining services, you'll play a key role in delivering exceptional food and customer experiences across campus.

Reporting to the Account Director, you will lead and inspire a large front of house team, ensuring outstanding service standards, operational excellence and strong audit performance. We're looking for a motivated people leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys building and developing high-performing teams, and is confident engaging with clients and senior stakeholders. If you're passionate about creating positive experiences for students, staff and colleagues while driving success across multiple outlets, we'd love to hear from you.

• Lead and manage all front of house catering operations across multiple outlets, ensuring consistent delivery of excellent customer service, operational standards and guest satisfaction.
• Inspire, develop and support a large and diverse team, creating a positive culture focused on engagement, performance, training and continuous improvement.
• Oversee staffing and resource planning to ensure appropriate team coverage across all trading periods, including residential dining services, weekends and special events.
• Work collaboratively with the Account Director and key client stakeholders, building strong relationships and ensuring catering services meet business and customer expectations.
• Drive operational excellence by maintaining compliance with company policies, food safety standards, health and safety requirements and audit expectations.
• Manage stock control and ordering processes, ensuring product availability is maintained while controlling waste and supporting financial performance objectives.
• Support the delivery of events and hospitality services, ensuring all functions are executed to a high standard and contribute positively to the customer experience.
• Monitor performance and identify opportunities for growth, helping to enhance existing services and support the successful launch and operation of new catering concepts and initiatives.

• Proven experience in a catering, hospitality or retail management role, ideally within a multi-site or high-volume operation.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing, motivating and developing large teams to achieve operational and service excellence.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities, with confidence building relationships with clients, senior leaders and colleagues at all levels.
• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, staffing requirements and operational demands across a seven-day business.
• A customer-focused approach, demonstrating a passion for delivering exceptional service and creating positive experiences for students, staff, visitors and team members.
• Good understanding of compliance, health and safety and food service standards, with experience maintaining high audit and operational performance.