If the following job requirements and experience match your skills, please ensure you apply promptly.
As our Catering Manager, you'll take full ownership of the catering operation across both sites, ensuring everything runs safely, efficiently and to the highest standard. From food production and menu delivery to people leadership and financial control, you'll be at the heart of a dynamic, multi-site operation.
You'll also play a key role in supporting regional Support Squad / Customer Support Teams , responding to changing operational demands and ensuring we always have the right people, in the right place, at the right time.
What You'll Be Doing Leading the delivery of high-quality food services across Trinity and Landguard
Driving sales through centrally developed menus, promotions and hospitality growth
Championing Health & Safety and Food Safety standards, ensuring compliance at all times
Taking accountability for kitchen cleanliness, equipment safety and hazard reporting
Managing labour, rotas and budgets to deliver strong financial performance
Building, developing and motivating high-performing teams through training and coaching
Managing recruitment, succession planning and formal HR processes
Overseeing stock control, ordering, invoicing and waste reduction
Planning food production in line with FPP guidelines
Supporting and mentoring apprentices and trainee chefs
Maintaining excellent client relationships and acting as a trusted partner
Supporting vending operations and ensuring full availability across site
Approving hospitality and function menus in line with pricing structures
Leading and deploying Support Squads/CSTs across Wattisham, Woodbridge and the PFL
Remaining flexible to support other nearby units when required
You'll consistently role-model The ESS Way and demonstrate Compass DNA behaviours at a managing level.
About You
You're an enthusiastic, hands-on leader with a genuine passion for food and service. You're organised, commercially aware and confident managing both people and operations across multiple locations.
Essential:
Proven experience supervising or managing teams in a food service environment
Strong communication skills with the ability to engage teams and clients
Experience delivering against budgets and performance targets
Minimum 2 years' experience as a Sous Chef or similar
City & Guilds 706 (1,2,3), NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
Intermediate Food Hygiene (Level 3)
Strong IT skills
A "can-do" attitude with integrity, ownership and pride in your work
Desirable:
Experience managing multiple catering outlets
Menu development and innovation experience
Advanced Food Hygiene
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:
Free meals
Onsite free car parking
Contributory pension scheme
Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, 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
About Us
Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.
Job Reference: com/2304/41364001/52804605/SU #Defence
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. xwzovoh We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive – because diversity is our strength!”, “datePosted”: “2026-05-08”, “hiringOrganization”: { “@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “ESS”, “sameAs”: “https://uk.whatjobs.com/pub_api__cpl__426704560__4861?utm_campaign=publisher&utm_medium=api&utm_source=4861&geoID=225” }, “jobLocation”: { “@type”: “Place”, “address”: { “@type”: “PostalAddress”, “addressLocality”: “Felixstowe” } } }
Compass Group are looking for a Catering Manager to join our already established and thriving team on a permanent basis.
If the following job requirements and experience match your skills, please ensure you apply promptly.
As our Catering Manager, you’ll take full ownership of the catering operation across both sites, ensuring everything runs safely, efficiently and to the highest standard. From food production and menu delivery to people leadership and financial control, you’ll be at the heart of a dynamic, multi-site operation.
You’ll also play a key role in supporting regional Support Squad / Customer Support Teams , responding to changing operational demands and ensuring we always have the right people, in the right place, at the right time.What You’ll Be Doing Leading the delivery of high-quality food services across Trinity and LandguardDriving sales through centrally developed menus, promotions and hospitality growthChampioning Health & Safety and Food Safety standards, ensuring compliance at all timesTaking accountability for kitchen cleanliness, equipment safety and hazard reportingManaging labour, rotas and budgets to deliver strong financial performanceBuilding, developing and motivating high-performing teams through training and coachingManaging recruitment, succession planning and formal HR processesOverseeing stock control, ordering, invoicing and waste reductionPlanning food production in line with FPP guidelinesSupporting and mentoring apprentices and trainee chefsMaintaining excellent client relationships and acting as a trusted partnerSupporting vending operations and ensuring full availability across siteApproving hospitality and function menus in line with pricing structuresLeading and deploying Support Squads/CSTs across Wattisham, Woodbridge and the PFLRemaining flexible to support other nearby units when required
You’ll consistently role-model The ESS Way and demonstrate Compass DNA behaviours at a managing level.About YouYou’re an enthusiastic, hands-on leader with a genuine passion for food and service. You’re organised, commercially aware and confident managing both people and operations across multiple locations.
Essential:Proven experience supervising or managing teams in a food service environmentStrong communication skills with the ability to engage teams and clientsExperience delivering against budgets and performance targetsMinimum 2 years’ experience as a Sous Chef or similarCity & Guilds 706 (1,2,3), NVQ Level 3 or equivalentIntermediate Food Hygiene (Level 3)Strong IT skillsA “can-do” attitude with integrity, ownership and pride in your work
Desirable:Experience managing multiple catering outletsMenu development and innovation experienceAdvanced Food HygieneWe 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:Free mealsOnsite free car parkingContributory pension schemeGrow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmesQuick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefitsExclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, and many moreSave money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and many moreUp to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbusterReceive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brandsUn-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classesYou can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
About Us
Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.
Job Reference: com/2304/41364001/52804605/SU #Defence
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. xwzovoh We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive – because diversity is our strength!…