We are looking for a passionate and knowledgeable Catering Operations Manager to join our team at Great Yarmouth!
About us…
Arena Racing Company does so much more than lead the UK’s largest horse racing group. We have 21 racing venues showcasing horse racing, greyhound racing, golf courses, hotels and events. In short, leisure, entertainment, media production and global distribution are at the heart of what we do, making it an exciting and diverse place to work!
Our success is a team effort which is why we offer great opportunities for growth, development and career progression. After all, it’s our employees that enable us to offer first class service and create an electric atmosphere, all within an industry we love.
What is ARC? We embrace diversity. We develop our people. We care for our visitors. We think about our impact. We are proud of our sport.
Work Perks of being a Catering Operations Manager...
1. Annual passes to attend any of our 21 venues
2. Discounted food & ARC days out
3. Cycle to work scheme
4. Holiday allowance increasing with length of service up to 28 days
5. Company life assurance scheme
6. Discretionary group annual bonus schemes to reward your hard work
7. Support with study through our study assistance schemes
And so much more…
About the role:
The Catering Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing all catering activities at Great Yarmouth Racecourse, including in-house services and third-party concessions, while ensuring the smooth delivery of race days and events. Working closely with senior leadership, the Catering Operations Manager provides on-site direction, maintains high service standards, and supports operational continuity. The role focuses on driving revenue growth, controlling costs, and leading a high-performing catering team to deliver consistent, high-quality customer experiences across all events.
Responsibilities of a Catering Operations Manager – Please see attached Job Description for full details.
8. Support the Site General Manager in delivering the catering strategy, aligned with business objectives and commercial targets
9. Drive high standards in food quality, service delivery, and customer experience
10. Plan staffing across all events, ensuring efficient rota management and control of labour costs
11. Work with Sales teams to coordinate catering for race days and events, ensuring seamless delivery
12. Lead the planning and delivery of high-volume events with consistent, high-quality execution
13. Manage labour and resources across catering operations to maximise efficiency and performance
14. Develop team members through performance reviews and support recruitment initiatives
15. Contribute to revenue growth by optimising catering and retail opportunities
16. Work with the Head Chef to ensure quality, consistency, and cost control
17. Maintain financial controls, including purchasing compliance and cost of sales management
18. Maximise revenue through effective pricing and operational strategies
19. Promote a positive, high-performing team culture
20. Monitor performance and drive continuous improvement
21. Identify new commercial opportunities to enhance revenue and customer experience
22. Ensure accurate promotion of catering offers with Marketing
23. Maintain operational standards and ensure compliance with food safety and allergen regulations
The person we are looking for as Catering Operations Manager has…..
24. GCSE Grade C or above in Maths and English
25. Personal Licence, Business/Event Management Degree, or IOSH Managing Safely (desirable)
26. Experience in a leisure, sporting, or event-led environment delivering large-scale events (5,000+ attendees)
27. Strong background in high-volume catering and multi-format hospitality
28. Proven ability to manage event delivery, labour, and costs within budget
29. Experience driving spend per head and enhancing customer experience
30. Ability to work cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, and Operations
We are on a thrilling journey. So, to join us at our next destination, be part of a winning team and to learn more about our company and this exciting opportunity apply today.
At ARC, we believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace makes us a more relevant, more competitive, and more resilient company. We welcome people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.