Business Catering Manager

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We are looking for an experienced and commercially focused Catering Business Manager to lead a busy and varied catering operation.

This is a hands-on leadership role with responsibility for kitchen operations, onsite restaurants, hospitality events and vending services. You’ll drive exceptional customer experiences while managing commercial performance, financial reporting and business growth.

Working closely with the client and wider Sodexo teams, you’ll lead your team to deliver high-quality services, maximise sales opportunities and ensure the operation performs against budget and agreed targets.

What You Will Be Doing

• Lead and manage the day-to-day delivery of kitchen, restaurant, hospitality and vending services.
• Drive sales growth, customer loyalty and opportunities to improve the customer experience.
• Manage staffing levels and rotas in line with trading patterns, business needs and budget requirements.
• Monitor financial performance, produce trading returns and support monthly P&L reporting and forecasting.
• Manage client billing and prepare for monthly financial reviews.
• Control stock, cash, costs and wastage to protect profitability.
• Work closely with the onsite client and key stakeholders to deliver an excellent service.
• Lead, support and develop your team through training, communication and performance reviews.
• Ensure high standards of food safety, hygiene, health & safety and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain accurate records and use systems and data to monitor performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support a strong sales culture and put plans in place to address any gaps in performance.
• Work closely with wider business teams to align strategy and continuously improve the food offer and customer journey.

What We Are Looking For

We’re looking for someone with strong business management, commercial and people leadership experience, ideally gained within catering, hospitality, food service or a similar customer-focused environment.

You’ll have

• Previous experience in business management or a related role.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience managing budgets, costs and financial performance.
• Excellent customer service and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience leading, motivating and developing teams.
• Strong communication and organisational skills with a keen eye for detail.
• Good IT skills and confidence using systems and data to monitor performance.
• Experience working within a strong health & safety and compliance culture.
• A proactive, hands-on and solutions-focused approach.
• The ability to identify opportunities, drive improvements and deliver results.
• Why Sodexo?
• Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater.
• Belong in a company and team that values you for you.
• Act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions.
• Thrive in your own way.