Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Catering
Manager to lead and develop Catering Services at University Hospital of North
Durham. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader to shape the
future of catering across a busy hospital environment, ensuring the delivery of
safe, high-quality, and patient-centred services while maintaining strong
financial performance.
As Catering Manager, you will provide strategic and
operational leadership across multiple sites, balancing service excellence,
food safety, and commercial efficiency. You will oversee the planning,
development, and continuous improvement of catering operations, working
collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to deliver outstanding outcomes
for patients, staff, and visitors.
The successful candidate will bring proven
multi-site operational management experience, ideally within catering or
hospitality, together with a sound understanding of finance, people management,
operations, and Health & Safety compliance. You will be highly organised,
resourceful, and able to think strategically without losing sight of the
detail. Above all, you will be a collaborative leader with a genuine passion
for the
Main duties of the job
As Catering Manager, you will provide strategic and
operational leadership for all catering services across University Hospital of
North Durham. You will lead the development and continuous improvement of
patient, staff, and visitor catering services, ensuring the highest standards
of food quality, safety, and customer experience.
You will be responsible for managing multi-site catering
operations, overseeing budgets and financial performance, leading and
developing catering teams, and ensuring compliance with all relevant food
safety, health and safety, and NHS standards. Working closely with clinical
teams, suppliers, and key stakeholders, you will drive service innovation,
sustainability, and operational efficiency while maintaining a strong focus on
patient care and organisational objectives.
The role also involves monitoring performance,
implementing quality improvements, supporting business continuity, and
contributing to the Trust's and SCL wider strategic and sustainability goals.
About us
Our organisation is a subsidiary of an NHS organisation and is currently awaiting UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approval to be added under our parent organisation's Sponsor Licence. Until that approval has been granted, we are not authorised to issue Certificates of Sponsorship or sponsor applicants.
This is a legal and regulatory requirement, and we cannot proceed with sponsorship until UKVI has completed the approval process.
We regret any inconvenience this causes. Our decision is based solely on our current regulatory position and is not related to your suitability for the role or any personal characteristic.
SCL is a wholly owned subsidiary of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) set up to deliver a range of non-clinical services The company is a separate legal body to CDDFT.
SCL offers its own Terms and Conditions of employment which differ to the national NHS Terms and Conditions. As an employee in the company you will benefit from:
- A Competitive salary
- Access to a pension scheme - National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) CDD Services will pay a 3% contribution (this is over and above the minimum contribution rate at the present time)
- Night Shift Working Allowances (where appropriate)
- Bank Holiday Working Allowances (where appropriate)
Bank work is offered on an 'as and when' basis with no guaranteed hours and will be paid on a pro-rata hourly rate for hours worked only
Job description
Job responsibilities
As Catering Manager, you will provide strategic direction
and operational leadership for all catering services across University Hospital
of North Durham, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centred
catering services that support patient recovery and enhance the experience of
staff and visitors. You will be responsible for shaping the future of the
service by driving continuous improvement, implementing best practice, and
ensuring catering operations align with the Trust's strategic priorities, NHS
standards, and sustainability objectives.
Leading a diverse, multi-site operation, you will oversee
the day-to-day management of patient catering, retail outlets, receipt and
distribution services, and ward food service delivery. You will ensure services
are delivered efficiently, safely, and within budget while maintaining the
highest standards of food quality, nutrition, hygiene, and customer care. You
will have overall responsibility for financial management, workforce planning,
procurement, contract management, and the effective use of resources to deliver
value for money without compromising service quality.
The role requires a visible and inspiring leader who can
motivate and develop teams, build strong relationships with clinical
colleagues, dietitians, suppliers, and senior stakeholders, and foster a
culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. You will
ensure full compliance with food safety legislation, Health and Safety
requirements, infection prevention standards, and NHS policies, while leading
audits, managing risk, and maintaining robust governance arrangements.
You will also play a key role in driving
innovation and environmental sustainability across catering services,
identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency, reduce waste,
introduce new technologies, and support the Trust's wider carbon reduction and
sustainability ambitions. Using performance data, customer feedback, and
service benchmarking, you will continually review and enhance service delivery,
ensuring the catering function remains responsive to the evolving needs of
patients, staff, and the organisation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As Catering Manager, you will provide strategic direction
and operational leadership for all catering services across University Hospital
of North Durham, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centred
catering services that support patient recovery and enhance the experience of
staff and visitors. You will be responsible for shaping the future of the
service by driving continuous improvement, implementing best practice, and
ensuring catering operations align with the Trust's strategic priorities, NHS
standards, and sustainability objectives.
Leading a diverse, multi-site operation, you will oversee
the day-to-day management of patient catering, retail outlets, receipt and
distribution services, and ward food service delivery. You will ensure services
are delivered efficiently, safely, and within budget while maintaining the
highest standards of food quality, nutrition, hygiene, and customer care. You
will have overall responsibility for financial management, workforce planning,
procurement, contract management, and the effective use of resources to deliver
value for money without compromising service quality.
The role requires a visible and inspiring leader who can
motivate and develop teams, build strong relationships with clinical
colleagues, dietitians, suppliers, and senior stakeholders, and foster a
culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. You will
ensure full compliance with food safety legislation, Health and Safety
requirements, infection prevention standards, and NHS policies, while leading
audits, managing risk, and maintaining robust governance arrangements.
You will also play a key role in driving
innovation and environmental sustainability across catering services,
identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency, reduce waste,
introduce new technologies, and support the Trust's wider carbon reduction and
sustainability ambitions. Using performance data, customer feedback, and
service benchmarking, you will continually review and enhance service delivery,
ensuring the catering function remains responsive to the evolving needs of
patients, staff, and the organisation.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A good standard of literacy and numeracy
- Management or Leadership qualification or equivalent catering experience .
- Level 4 Food Safety Qualification
Desirable
- Health and Safety
- Project management and change management experience.
Experience
Essential
- Considerable experience in managing large-scale catering operations, preferably within the NHS or healthcare sector
- Strong leadership, communication, and fiscal management skills. Proven ability to lead teams and deliver service improvements
Desirable
- Experience of retail catering and commercial contract management
- Initiative-taking, collaborative, and customer-focused approach. Commitment to quality, safety, and equality.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- In-depth knowledge of NHS food standards, HACCP, and food safety legislation.
- Strong leadership, communication, and fiscal management skills. Proven ability to lead teams and deliver service improvements.
Desirable
- Knowledge of sustainability frameworks and digital catering systems.
- Project management and change management experience.
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to work shifts and weekends and have flexibility to needs of the service(E)
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A good standard of literacy and numeracy
- Management or Leadership qualification or equivalent catering experience .
- Level 4 Food Safety Qualification
Desirable
- Health and Safety
- Project management and change management experience.
Experience
Essential
- Considerable experience in managing large-scale catering operations, preferably within the NHS or healthcare sector
- Strong leadership, communication, and fiscal management skills. Proven ability to lead teams and deliver service improvements
Desirable
- Experience of retail catering and commercial contract management
- Initiative-taking, collaborative, and customer-focused approach. Commitment to quality, safety, and equality.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- In-depth knowledge of NHS food standards, HACCP, and food safety legislation.
- Strong leadership, communication, and fiscal management skills. Proven ability to lead teams and deliver service improvements.
Desirable
- Knowledge of sustainability frameworks and digital catering systems.
- Project management and change management experience.
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to work shifts and weekends and have flexibility to needs of the service(E)
Desirable
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
