Catering Manager | Cawdor Barracks£35,000 per annum | Full Time

5 days out of 7 | Shifts between 6:30am and 8:00pm

Meet Your Recruiter

Have a question before you apply? This opportunity is being managed by Alina Swiatek, Talent Acquisition Partner.

Connect with Alina on LinkedIn to learn more about the role, the team and life at Compass Group UK&I  - Alina Świątek | LinkedIn

Are you a chef-led manager who enjoys the best of both worlds: leading a team while still staying connected to the kitchen?

We're looking for a Catering Manager to take the lead at Cawdor Barracks, overseeing a busy catering operation serving Service Personnel. This is a fantastic opportunity for a hands-on leader who thrives on developing people, delivering great food, and running a well-organised operation.

You'll lead a close-knit team of six, taking ownership of everything from food quality and customer satisfaction to financial performance and site compliance.

Why join us?

•  £35,000 salary
•  5 days out of 7 working pattern
•  Variety, autonomy, and ownership of your operation
•  Lead a supportive and established team
•  Opportunity to combine your culinary expertise with management responsibilities
•  Career development within a leading contract catering business

What you'll be doing

As Catering Manager, you'll be the heartbeat of the operation, ensuring every service runs smoothly while creating a positive environment for your team and customers.

Your role will include:

• Leading and developing a team of six catering professionals
• Supporting food preparation and service, remaining hands-on when required
• Delivering fresh, nutritious, and high-quality meals
• Managing budgets, labour, stock, ordering, and food costs
• Maintaining excellent standards of food safety, health & safety, and compliance
• Completing audits, reporting, and operational administration
• Building strong relationships with both the client and wider site team
• Coaching and developing team members to reach their full potential
• Identifying opportunities to improve service, efficiency, and customer satisfaction

What we're looking for

We're looking for someone who is equally comfortable leading a team meeting, reviewing a budget, or stepping into the kitchen during a busy service.

You'll ideally bring:

• Experience as a Catering Manager, Chef Manager, Head Chef, or similar leadership role
• Strong culinary experience and a passion for food
• A hands-on, supportive leadership style
• Experience managing budgets, food costs, and commercial performance
• Confidence with audits, compliance, and operational reporting
• Strong organisational and people management skills
• Knowledge of food safety and contract catering standards
• A proactive attitude and desire to continuously improve the operation

Why this role stands out

This is more than a management role. It's an opportunity to run your own operation, shape the culture of your team, and make a visible impact every day. You'll have the autonomy to lead, the support to succeed, and the chance to develop your career within a stable and growing business.

If you're a passionate food-led manager who enjoys balancing leadership, commercial responsibility, and hands-on catering delivery, we'd love to hear from you. 

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS is the Defence, Government, and Energy services sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland. We support 250+ UK military establishments, high profile police, secure environments and government sites, along with a range of onshore and offshore facilities including platforms, drilling rigs, floatels and offices for the energy sector. We know that a friendly face makes all the difference, so we look for people who are passionate about delivering excellent customer service, at all levels, to join our teams.

Job Reference: com/2110/94424001/52586535/SU #Defence

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!