Overview
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) requires a catering Operations Manager who is experienced in a high-volume catering service and possesses both management and practical skills for running a seven day, all year-round service. The catering service operates a patient meal service across eight hospital sites in Northamptonshire, each with its own production kitchen. Six hospitals also have staff and visitor caf outlets. These services fall within this position's management portfolio. A hospital patient meal service must operate without fail, so contingency planning, quick thinking and problem solving are essential. Our caf services are also an essential service to keep staff nutritionally fuelled and available for hospital visitors. The Catering Operations Manager position is within the NHFT Hotel Service Department, working alongside operation managers for the domestic, portering, reception, and administration departments, reporting to the deputy and general manager.
The position is 37.5 hours per week, predominantly Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00, although flexibility for shifts and days worked is vital to meet business demands. A car owner/driver and current driving licence are essential, or access to a car as travel to multiple locations across the county is required (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
Responsibilities
* The Catering Operations Manager is ultimately responsible for the food service operation for NHFT, including inpatient meal service and staff and visitor caf services countywide.
* Manage the service while maintaining statutory requirements, including registration with external bodies as legally required.
* Act as the Trust lead expert for food services, representing the food services externally and to the Trust.
* Ensure NHS food standard requirements are embedded into the service and manage reporting to NHSE and to the Trust as required.
* Ensure required systems, processes and policies are managed, monitored and updated (e.g., HACCP, Food Safety Policy).
* Manage countywide cafe food service to maintain financial viability within allocated budget.
* Engage, liaison with and represent the Trust with external bodies for food operations countywide (e.g., Environmental Health).
* Engage with and be a member of recognised NHS food service bodies (e.g., Hospital Caterers Association).
About us
NHFT is an integrated primary care and mental health Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in hospital settings and in the community. Services can be provided at home, work or in schools. NHFT also provides health services to various prisons and detention centres in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
Details
Date posted: 10 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 270-TG153-A-CORP
Job locations: St. Mary’s Hospital, 77 London Road, Kettering, NN15 7PW
Qualifications
Experience
* Knowledge / experience of working in a Catering industry environment and able to demonstrate practical cleaning skills
* Experience and knowledge of computer technologies and software packages
* Leadership skills across multiple teams
* Allergen Training & awareness
* Degree level qualification
* Food Hygiene, Advanced level 4
Desirable
* Managing multiple budgets
* Knowledge of Nutrition & Dietry Requirements
Knowledge
* General education including literacy and numeracy
* An understanding of the importance of health and safety
* An understanding of the importance of hygiene
Other
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer: Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address: St. Mary’s Hospital, 77 London Road, Kettering, NN15 7PW
Employer's website: https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/
#J-18808-Ljbffr