Catering Operations Manager

Harrogate Source: WhatJobs

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Are you an experienced catering leader who thrives on delivering exceptional events in a fast-paced environment?

We are looking for a passionate and innovative Catering Operations Manager to lead the operational delivery of catering across Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC). Leading our Catering Event Managers and working closely with our Executive Chef and Event Planning colleagues, you will play a key role in delivering outstanding catering experiences, from conferences and retail operations to large-scale gala dinners and high-profile events.

This is an exciting time to join the team. With an increased organisational focus on growing event sales and maximising the potential of HCC, we are preparing our catering operation to support a higher volume and broader range of business. As Catering Operations Manager, you will not only lead the successful delivery of our current events programme but will also play a key role in developing an operation that can scale effectively as the business grows.

About us...

Matcham's is the in-house catering team at Harrogate Convention Centre. We are passionate about great food, professional service and creating memorable experiences for our clients and guests. Wherever possible, we support local suppliers and producers from Harrogate, Yorkshire and across the North of England.

Our operation is exceptionally varied, ranging from conference refreshments and retail catering to receptions, formal dinners and large-scale banquets. That variety means our team needs to be adaptable, highly organised and committed to delivering consistently high standards.

We are a friendly and ambitious team who put our customers at the heart of what we do.

The role...

Reporting to the Catering General Manager, you will have direct responsibility for four Catering Event Managers and will oversee operational teams of up to 75 casual and agency colleagues during events. You will work closely with the Catering Event Planner, Executive Chef and colleagues across HCC to translate client requirements into effective operational plans, ensuring events are appropriately resourced, financially controlled and delivered to consistently high standards.

A key focus of the role will be preparing our catering operation for future growth. Working with the Catering General Manager and colleagues across HCC, you will help develop the people, processes and operational capacity needed to support increased event sales, improving productivity and scalability while ensuring that quality, safety and customer experience remain at the heart of our delivery.

We deliver a diverse programme of events throughout the year, ranging from retail catering and conferences to high-profile gala dinners, so no two days are the same. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced catering professional looking for a varied, challenging and rewarding operational leadership role.

Because this is an event-led operation, your working pattern will vary according to the events programme and will include evenings and weekends. Hours are annualised, allowing working time to flex between our busier and quieter periods.

What you will be doing

Leading catering operations across a diverse events programme, delivering successful events that meet client, quality and financial expectations.
Coaching and developing Catering Event Managers and operational teams to perform at their best.
Building strong client relationships and managing operational changes and challenges effectively.
Maintaining a visible presence at events to ensure high food, presentation and service standards.
Supporting business growth by developing scalable people, processes and operational systems.
Driving improvements to procedures, workforce planning and training to enhance productivity and service quality.
Planning staffing requirements to ensure events are appropriately resourced and delivered efficiently.
Monitoring budgets and performance to improve productivity, control costs and support commercial sustainability.
Overseeing stock management, payments, timesheets and supplier invoice processing.
Promoting a strong culture of health, safety and food safety across all events.
Supporting the development and implementation of risk assessments, safe systems of work and operating procedures.

What you'll need

Significant experience managing busy catering or hospitality operations.
Experience leading managers and operational teams.
Strong planning and organisational skills in fast-paced environments.
Experience managing budgets, costs and performance.
Strong people-management, coaching and performance-management skills.
Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.
Experience improving processes, systems and service delivery.
Level 2 Food Safety and Health & Safety qualification, or equivalent.
Personal Licence holder.
Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office proficiency.

It would be great if you also have

Experience of large-scale event catering.
Experience of managing gala dinners or formal banqueting.
Experience of retail catering operations.
Experience of leading operational change or service improvement, ideally within a growing, high-volume catering, hospitality or events environment.
Level 3 Food Safety or an equivalent qualification.

What we can offer...

This is an exciting opportunity to join the catering team at an important point in its development. As the organisation focuses on increasing event sales, our catering operation needs to be ready to grow alongside it.

The role offers significant scope for professional development. You'll combine hands‑on leadership of a busy events operation with longer‑term improvement work and have opportunities to broaden your experience in areas including budgetary planning, operational strategy, risk assessment, Safe Systems of Work and the development of Standard Operating Procedures.

Alongside the opportunity to develop your career within a unique and varied catering environment, you'll have access to North Yorkshire Council's employee benefits package, including: