Senior Catering Manager

JOB ADVERTISEMENT: SENIOR CATERING MANAGER

Location: Gauteng
Company: Hero Serv Pty Ltd

INTRODUCTION:

Hero Serv is seeking an experienced and results-driven Senior Catering Manager to lead and manage the catering operations at one of our sites.

The successful candidate will be responsible for driving food quality, customer satisfaction, food safety compliance, cost control, and team performance.

This role requires a hands-on leader with strong catering expertise, operational discipline, and commercial acumen to ensure the delivery of exceptional catering services while meeting financial and operational objectives. The Senior Catering Manager will also be responsible for leading and coordinating operational projects, catering improvement initiatives, kitchen upgrades, new service implementations, and client-driven projects to ensure successful delivery, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Lead and manage all catering operations, ensuring efficient service delivery and operational excellence across the unit(s). (NON-NEGOTIABLE: Proven Senior Catering Management experience within catering, hospitality, healthcare, or food service environment.)

· Ensure exceptional food quality, presentation, service standards, and customer satisfaction.

· Manage financial performance, including food costs, labour costs, GP margins, budgets, and cost-control initiatives.

· Oversee stock management, inventory controls, procurement processes, and waste reduction programmes.

· Ensure compliance with HACCP, food safety, health and safety, and company operating standards.

· Develop and implement menus, promotions, and service solutions that align with client requirements and business objectives.

· Lead, coach, mentor, and develop catering teams while managing performance and succession planning.

· Drive operational efficiency, productivity, and continuous improvement across all catering functions.

· Build, manage, and maintain strong client relationships, ensuring service excellence and contract retention.

· Monitor operational and financial performance, identifying opportunities to improve profitability and customer satisfaction.

· Drive innovation in food offerings, service delivery, and operational processes.

· Plan, coordinate, and manage catering-related projects, operational improvement initiatives, kitchen refurbishments, equipment installations, mobilisations, and client-specific programmes.

· Monitor project budgets, timelines, resources, and deliverables to ensure successful implementation and minimal disruption to operations.

· Collaborate with Operations Managers, clients, suppliers, and support functions to achieve operational objectives and business targets.

· Prepare and present operational and financial reports, including action plans to address variances and performance gaps.

· Ensure all sites consistently meet contractual obligations, company standards, and client expectations.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

· Relevant qualification in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Food Service Management, Business Management, or a related field.

· Minimum 5-8 years' experience in a Senior Catering Manager, Catering Manager, Operations Manager, or similar leadership role.

· Proven experience managing large -scale catering, hospitality, healthcare, or food service operations.

· Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, food costing, GP management, stock control, forecasting, and cost containment.

· Demonstrated experience managing multiple contracts, sites, or high-volume catering environments.

· Sound knowledge of HACCP, food safety legislation, hygiene standards, and compliance requirements.

· Proven leadership and people management experience, including coaching, performance management, and succession planning.

· Strong client relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.

· Ability to analyse operational and financial performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

· Strong commercial awareness with a focus on profitability, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

· Project management experience with the ability to successfully lead and deliver operational, catering, and client-focused projects.

· Excellent communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and organisational skills.

· Ability to work under pressure and effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

· Strong culinary and food production expertise.

· Excellent leadership and organisational skills.

· Commercial and financial acumen.

· Problem-solving and decision-making ability.

· Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.

· Results-driven with a focus on quality and service excellence.

· Strong Project Management, planning, coordination, implementation, and stakeholder management skills.

APPLICATION DETAILS

· Email Applications

· To: [email protected]

· Subject Line: Senior Catering Manager

IMPORTANT NOTES

Only candidates meeting the minimum requirements will be considered. If you do not receive feedback within two weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Pay: R25 000,00 - R30 000,00 per month

Work Location: In person