Senior Catering Manager

The Main Purpose of the job

• The successful applicant will be responsible for managing the assigned unit in accordance with sector strategy, contract specifications, and statutory regulations.
• The candidate will have oversight of the food production process, ensure exceptional client relations, the provision of a quality food service for clients and manage the execution of creative functions.

Education and Experience required

• Relevant tertiary qualification in food and beverage services or hospitality or culinary arts is preferred
• Experience in highly commercial and sensitive markets is compulsory
• Senior Catering Management experience in a hospitality/catering industry would be an advantage
• Implementation of change programmes, unit mobilization experience is advantageous
• Experience of working within brand guidelines to deliver results
• Experience in costing, budgets, forecasts and invoicing is advantageous
• Proven experience in managing successful departments/teams
• Driver's License is required

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• In depth knowledge of the catering environment
• Knowledge of South African and industry-specific laws
• Exceptional customer service skills
• Excellent operations and people management skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent problem-solving ability
• Ability to arrange exceptional functions
• Ability to balance the budget and save on soft costs
• Ability to draft and analyse reports
• Profit improvement skills an absolute must
• Ability to be innovative and creative

Key areas of responsibility

• Manage daily operations of the assigned unit in accordance with sector strategy, contract specifications, and statutory regulations
• Implement an effective and efficient food production process
• Provide great quality service to clients
• Manage the execution of creative functions
• Execute menu planning, standardisation, adoption and costing
• Monitor the kitchen to ensure the cooks are using standardized recipes and quality of food is of the highest standard
• Oversee daily bookkeeping procedures including capturing of issues, sales, stock, banking, etc.
• Effectively manage and monitor gross profit as per the budgeted targets
• Ensure minimum & maximum stock levels are maintained
• Ensure the electronic meal ordering system is fully functional and utilised optimally
• Effectively manage HSE daily to ensure all records are up to date
• Effectively manage people i.e. staffing – workforce planning, payroll administration, leave management, performance management
• Effectively manage the Customer Experience through surveys and using data to improve the service offering
• Ensure strict adherence of service levels according to the client service level agreement

Closing Date 31 August 2026