General Manager

Responsibilities

• Operational Management: Oversee all aspects of catering operations, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality food and service. Implement and monitor standard operating procedures, ensuring compliance with company policies and industry regulations. Manage stock, ordering, inventory control, and supplier relationships to maintain cost efficiency. Lead menu planning, food presentation, and service delivery standards in line with contract requirements. Maintain a clean, safe, and compliant working environment at all times.
• Innovation & New Ideas: Champion creativity in menu development, service concepts, and customer engagement. Introduce fresh ideas and innovative offerings to enhance the customer experience and keep the service contemporary. Monitor trends in food, hospitality, and technology to drive continuous improvement.
• Financial Management: Manage budgets, forecasts, cost control, and financial reporting for the site. Monitor labour, purchasing, and operational costs to deliver agreed financial targets. Analyse financial performance and implement corrective actions where required. Identify opportunities to grow revenue through enhanced service offerings and promotions.
• Client & Stakeholder Relations: Build strong, proactive relationships with the client and key stakeholders. Attend regular contract review meetings and provide clear reporting and performance updates. Respond promptly and professionally to client feedback, ensuring actions are taken to meet and exceed expectations. Act as the main point of contact for escalation, ensuring smooth communication and issue resolution.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, motivate, and inspire the catering team to deliver outstanding service. Conduct regular training, coaching, and development sessions to build skill levels across the team. Manage recruitment, onboarding, performance reviews, and succession planning. Foster a positive culture that promotes teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement. Ensure all staff adhere to food safety, hygiene, and health & safety standards.
• Compliance & Safety: Ensure full compliance with food safety (HACCP), allergen management, and health & safety regulations. Maintain accurate documentation and audits, responding promptly to non-conformities. Conduct risk assessments and ensure safe working practices across all catering operations.
• Customer Experience: Ensure all guests receive a positive experience through high-quality food, presentation, and service. Monitor customer satisfaction through feedback, surveys, and direct engagement. Implement service improvements based on customer insights and operational observations.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Catering Manager or similar leadership role within contract catering, hospitality, or foodservice.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Proven financial acumen and experience managing budgets.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Knowledge of food safety and health & safety regulations.
• Desirable: Formal catering or hospitality qualifications.
• Desirable: Experience working in a large contract catering environment.
• Desirable: Track record of delivering innovative service improvements or menu developments.

Benefits

• 28 days holiday including bank holidays.
• Birthday off.
• 3 volunteering days.
• 3 days grandparent leave.
• 24 weeks enhanced maternity leave.
• Secondary career leave.
• Wedding/commitment day leave.
• Free meals on shift.
• Bespoke training and development opportunities.
• Apprenticeships opportunities for all experience levels.
• Pension and life insurance.
• Discounts available on our Perkbox app; high street shops, holidays & cinema.
• Wellbeing hub.
• Access to employee assistance programme.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We celebrate individuality and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, gender identities, sexual orientations, races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds. BaxterStorey is committed to encouraging equity, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) among our workforce and aim for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To support our commitment to this we have set ourselves an ambition to ‘set the standard and to be recognised for having the most inclusive culture in hospitality’.

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