Unit Catering Manager (Full Time - 40 hours)

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and people-focused Unit Catering Manager to join our team at Sunridge Court in Golders Green. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled chef who enjoys combining great food with team leadership and excellent customer service. You will lead a small catering team, prepare high-quality meals and develop seasonal menus that meet residents nutritional, dietary, cultural and religious requirements. Alongside hands-on cooking, you will oversee kitchen operations, staff rotas, stock control, budgets and food safety standards. You will also build positive relationships with residents and their families, ensuring their preferences and feedback help shape the dining experience. If you are passionate about food, confident managing a busy kitchen and committed to making a difference to residents daily lives, we would love to hear from you.

We are seeking a dynamic Unit Catering Manager to oversee the dining experience for our Residents. This role is perfect for a chef who is not only passionate about cooking but also loves engaging with people. You will lead a small team to develop and prepare nutritional, seasonal menus that align with Jewish cultural practices while ensuring exceptional customer service and operational efficiency.

The role will involve 80% Cooking and 20% operational management.

This post is working 5 days out of 7 and some weekends on a rota basis.

Shifts are: 6.00am to 2.30pm or 11.00am to 7.30pm

What you will be doing: Culinary Management:

Preparing, cooking, and present high-quality meals tailored to residents' dietary needs. Developing and managing menus using the Indicator Menu & Recipe Management System. Ensuring strict compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.

Engaging with residents and families to understand and cater to dietary preferences and requirements. Maintaining high levels of customer service, ensuring resident satisfaction. Addressing any concerns or complaints promptly and professionally.

Overseeing day-to-day catering operations, ensuring smooth service delivery. Managing the EPOS system for accurate billing and inventory tracking. Implement and manage the Future Workforce Management System for optimal staff scheduling. Managing stock control, including ordering supplies, maintaining inventory, and reducing wastage. Ensuring efficient processing and management of invoices.

Leading, mentoring, and motivating the catering team, fostering a positive working environment. Developing staff rotas to ensure adequate coverage and efficient operation. Providing ongoing training and development opportunities for team members.

Monitoring and managing the catering budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and financial efficiency. Conducting regular financial reporting and analysis to track performance against budget.

What you will need: City of Guilds 706 1 / 2 or equivalent (Desirable) NVQ Level 2 or 3 in relevant fields (Essential) Proven experience as a Chef and in managing catering operations, preferably in a care home or similar environment (Essential) At least five years experience in a busy kitchen (Essential) Awareness of COSHH (Essential) Experience working to deadlines and adhering to budgetary requirements (Essential) Takes responsibility for own work and making improvements where possible (Essential) Awareness of waste disposal techniques and infection control (Essential) Working knowledge of Health and Safety legislation (Essential) Exceptional culinary skills with a strong understanding of dietary needs and restrictions (Essential) Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal (Essential) IT Literacy with an ability to pick up new systems with ease (Essential) Ability to communicate and manage interpersonal relationships, including influencing skills (Essential) Strong client-facing skills with a commitment to excellent customer service (Essential) Proficient in using EPOS systems and other relevant software (Desirable) Excellent organizational and time-management skills (Essential) Ability to lead and manage a team effectively (Essential) Strong financial acumen with experience in budget management (Essential)

Join our team and make a meaningful impact in a role that blends culinary expertise with exceptional management and customer service skills. Apply now to be our next Unit Catering Manager!

Jewish Care is the largest health and social care charity serving the Jewish community in London and the South East. Every week, our services support more than 12,000 people, delivered by over 1,200 dedicated colleagues across residential care, nursing, retirement living, community support, social work, and mental health services.

We provide care that is Jewish at heart, supporting older people and their families every step of the way while welcoming colleagues from all backgrounds. Guided by our values of Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Compassion, and Inclusiveness, we are committed to delivering high-quality services where people feel valued, respected, and able to live meaningful lives.

General Requirements

Essential: - Please refer to job description above

Desirable: - Please refer to job description above