University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Retail Catering Production and Development Manager
The closing date is 05 May 2026
The role of the Retail Catering Production and Development Manager is to lead, manage, control and develop all aspects of product development, menu development and management of chefs and back of house staff in the retail catering service in all staff and visitor catering outlets across the University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust.
Main duties of the job
The key result area for the Retail Catering Production and Development Manager is to lead, manage, control and develop all aspects of product development, menu development and management of chefs and back of house staff in the retail catering department in all staff and visitor catering outlets across the University Hospitals Leicester NHS Trust.
About us
Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).
We have four primary goals:
- high-quality care for all
- being a great place to work
- partnerships for impact
- research and education excellence
And we will embed health equality in all we do – taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.
Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:
- we are compassionate
- we are proud
- we are inclusive
- we are one team
This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.
Job responsibilities
Through a designated team, on a day to day perspective the post holder will ensure the efficient and effective running of the retail catering services to:
Optimise the relationship with service users as customers of a high‑quality service
Maximise income to the Trust by ensuring that opportunities for income growth are explored and developed
Maintain the health and safety of service users and an aesthetically attractive environment, as far as possible given budget constraints.
Ensure the department is fully compliant to public sector procurement requirements
Ensure the department meets the targets set by governing bodies in relation to healthy eating i.e. CQUIN, NHS Good Food Standards and the independent review of Health Care Food & Drink.
Design, maintain and monitor the organisation‑wide food and food preparation equipment safety audits undertaking research and development activities where required
Liaise with patient catering managers to provide, when necessary, non‑clinical advice in relation to patient menus and dietetic support
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
- Qualified Chef Catering degree/relevant professional/management qualification or equivalent significant levels of industry experience in a similar role
- Level 4 Advanced Food Hygiene
Experience
- Significant industry experience of successfully leading and managing from a commercial perspective, a retail service (public or private sector) at a senior level.
- Demonstrable experience of working autonomously to plan and develop services with evidence of delivering change
- Evidence of budgetary management of significant values
- Experience of delivering quality services through contracts
- Demonstrable experience of managing a team
- Significant industry experience in relation to commercial retail catering production and development
Communication and relationship skills
- Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills with a particular emphasis on influencing skills.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to market the retail catering service
- Well developed and evidenced negotiating/influencing skills to anticipate and avoid conflict and resolving disputes
- Evidence of effective team leadership and participation
- Experience of working in a public sector environment
- Sales and market / branding experience.
Analytical and Judgement skills
- Highly developed analysis skills with the ability to interpret financial, quantitative and qualitative data
- Demonstrable experience in dealing with a range of complex facts and situations requiring analysis, interpretation or comparison of a range of options.
- Highly developed judgemental skills with demonstrable experience in relation to the performance management of the assessment of food safety procedures and quality of food production and supplies.
- IT literacy, particularly word processing and spreadsheets to interpret trading summary data with the ability to compile KPI’s
- Understanding of GP and vat calculations
Planning and organisation skills
- Demonstrable experience in the planning and organisation of a number of complex activities or programmes requiring formulation and adjustment i.e. catering service strategies, food safety management systems and long term menu planning
- Experience in the management of complex staff planning for the delivery of food service production Structured management approach Good interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to prioritise own and work of the team effectively. (Team player)
- Ability to focus on priorities and deliver key results within planned timescales and budgets.
- Adaptable and flexible to deal with competing demands with the ability to work from first principles in a developing business environment.
- Ability to perform and deliver under pressure to meet tight deadlines
- Must be able to evidence financial astuteness
- Have a good standard of the English language both written and oral
- Ability to work cross site
- Understanding of public sector HR procedures
Physical Skills
- Must be physically fit with the ability to move kitchen equipment as and when required
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
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