Job Description
Catering General Manager
Contract Catering - Education Sector
Dorset - SW England
Salary: £50,000 + great benefits
About the Role
We are recruiting on behalf of the UK's leading contract catering provider managing services at a prestigious independent boarding school in Dorset. The school is known for its excellence in education and commitment to student wellbeing—and food plays a central role in supporting that mission.
As the Catering General Manager, you will oversee all catering operations ( internal and external / commercial business), leading a well-established team of 40 staff in delivering an exceptional food experience.
With revenues exceeding £2 million, this is a significant leadership role with full operational and financial accountability. You'll be empowered to drive performance, develop your team, and ensure the service reflects the high standards and values of the school.
This is a rare opportunity for a commercially astute, dynamic leader to make a lasting impact in a prestigious educational environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the catering team across the school, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, presentation, and service
* Manage and control a multi-million-pound budget, ensuring financial efficiency and accountability
* Provide strategic leadership across staffing, operations, and client engagement
* Guide and mentor managers and team members to build a motivated, customer-focused culture
* Maintain strong relationships with school leadership and stakeholders, aligning catering services with their expectations
* Drive commercial performance through cost control, innovation, and proactive management
Requirements
* Proven experience as a General Manager within a large-scale education site, cluster, or multi-site operation in hospitality or contract catering.
* Track record of managing seven-figure budgets and large, diverse teams.
* Strong commercial acumen with a results-driven mindset—you understand cost control, and business performance.
* Exceptional forward-thinking leadership & people management skills.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
* Highly organised, adaptable, and able to thrive in a high-expectation environment.
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