Catering Operations Manager
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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 UKs 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, its 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...
Annual passes to attend any of our 21 venues
Discounted food & ARC days out
Cycle to work scheme
Holiday allowance increasing with length of service up to 28 days
Company life assurance scheme
Discretionary group annual bonus schemes to reward your hard work
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.
Support the Site General Manager in delivering the catering strategy, aligned with business objectives and commercial targets
Drive high standards in food quality, service delivery, and customer experience
Plan staffing across all events, ensuring efficient rota management and control of labour costs
Work with Sales teams to coordinate catering for race days and events, ensuring seamless delivery
Lead the planning and delivery of high-volume events with consistent, high-quality execution
Manage labour and resources across catering operations to maximise efficiency and performance
Develop team members through performance reviews and support recruitment initiatives
Contribute to revenue growth by optimising catering and retail opportunities
Work with the Head Chef to ensure quality, consistency, and cost control
Maintain financial controls, including purchasing compliance and cost of sales management
Maximise revenue through effective pricing and operational strategies
Promote a positive, high-performing team culture
Monitor performance and drive continuous improvement
Identify new commercial opportunities to enhance revenue and customer experience
Ensure accurate promotion of catering offers with Marketing
Maintain operational standards and ensure compliance with food safety and allergen regulations
The person we are looking for as Catering Operations Manager has..
GCSE Grade C or above in Maths and English
Personal Licence, Business/Event Management Degree, or IOSH Managing Safely (desirable)
Experience in a leisure, sporting, or event-led environment delivering large-scale events (5,000+ attendees)
Strong background in high-volume catering and multi-format hospitality
Proven ability to manage event delivery, labour, and costs within budget
Experience driving spend per head and enhancing customer experience
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.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable adjustments, please let us know; we will ensure that individuals with additional needs are provided reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions.
We understand the value that diversity brings to our business and we are striving to create a working environment that is inclusive, psychologically and physically safe and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions. We are committed to making a consistent, top-down effort to be role models on what diversity, inclusion and belonging means in society.
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