Job Title
Catering Manager
Department
Catering
Grade
8
Reports to
The Domestic Bursar
Coordination with
Head Chef and kitchen brigade, Conference and Functions Office, Old Members Office, College Accountant, Fellows and College Staff, Student food representatives (MCR & JCR), Suppliers
Responsible for (staff)
Buttery and Butler teams
Location
Queen’s College, Oxford
The College and the Role
Founded in 1341, Queen’s is one of the oldest constituent Colleges in the University of Oxford. Its membership comprises around 330 undergraduates, 160 graduates, and around 45 Fellows. The Provost is head of the College, and serves as Chair of the Governing Body. In addition to rooms for students and Fellows, the College maintains extensive library facilities, seminar and meeting rooms, music rooms, common rooms, and many other facilities to support its academic and cultural life. The past decade has witnessed a very substantial programme of refurbishment and construction, including the building of a new kitchen and a new auditorium on the main site, and a new underground extension to the Library. The College is currently building a new Lodge and accessible entrance.
The Catering Manager leads the College Buttery staff and the Senior Common Room (SCR) Butlers to ensure a superior food and beverage service delivery.
The Catering Manager’s role is an important one; ranging from delivering excellent everyday meals for students, staff and Fellows, to executing formal, fine-dining events which include prominent guests. The calendar has a number of gaudies, which are celebratory feasts, often incorporating specific culinary traditions, frequently attended by old members (former students) of the College.
She or he will work very closely with the Head Chef and the kitchen brigade, and also with the Conference and Events Office. The College kitchen supplies hot and cold food for around 275 diners through the Servery at lunch and approximately 150 students each evening in term time. Summer schools, conference catering, and private dinners are provided throughout the year, in a number of locations throughout the College, and the standards of production and presentation are high, therefore it is essential that staff are well- trained and efficient in their roles.
Further information on the College can be found on its website at www.queens.ox.ac.uk
Structure
The Catering Manager will report to the Domestic Bursar, who manages a number of the non-academic operations of the College. The Catering Manager, working closely and collaboratively with the Head Chef, will have a high degree of delegated authority for routine matters, albeit to be exercised within the context of agreed working practices and budgets.
Purpose of the role
The Catering Manager oversees the hospitality services in the main dining Hall, the College’s meeting rooms, and the Senior Common Room (SCR). She or he will manage the business aspect of the catering operation at the College, and provide a high quality, efficient, value-for-money service, for both internal and external customers, and generate accurate budgeting and costing information.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are not shown in order of priority or frequency, nor is the list exhaustive, but rather an indication of the type and level of duties expected of the post-holder.
Person
Key characteristics, abilities and experience crucial to fulfilling the responsibilities of this role are:
Further, the Catering Manager should have passion and drive to inspire staff to achieve the highest standards of food and beverage delivery and share the Head Chef’s and College’s aspiration to have the best catering service in Oxford. They must have the energy and enthusiasm to train staff to reach those levels.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Good standard of general education:
· Fluency and accuracy in written and spoken English in order to write reports and engage in meetings
· Good level of numeracy
X
Food hygiene certificate CIEH level 3 or equivalent
Food hygiene certificate CIEH level 4 or equivalent
Recognised professional qualification such as
· a degree in hospitality and business management, or equivalent
· accredited course in catering management or hospitality
Recognised qualification in wine WSET level 2, or equivalent
Recognised qualification in wine WSET level 3 or 4, or equivalent
Recognised health and safety and first aid qualifications
Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK (information to confirm status will be requested at interview)
Experience and knowledge
A good degree of competency in computer skills – including various proprietary systems, e.g. online ordering, as well as:
· Word
· Email
· Excel
Significant experience in the procedures for cost control, stock rotation and storage and ensuring maintenance and other contractual obligations are met
Good knowledge of current legislation relating to food hygiene, H&S, HACCUP, allergen control plan, and undertaking all due diligence to assure food safety, ensuring a safe working environment for staff and for College Members
Experience of preparing food in a similar higher education (HE) institution or college, school or educational environment
Experience of working in a similar busy and historic organisation with a fine dining tradition and engendering a learning culture, supporting customer service initiatives, and promoting a positive team culture at work
Demonstrate an appreciation of the College’s intellectual values,
ambitions, and academic purposes
Long-term experience in a catering managerial role, with ability to recruit, train and manage catering staff and an exceptional ability to deliver catering services within budget and on time
Experience of banqueting, superior wine selection and service for large and small events
Ability to lead effectively and demonstrate adaptability to take on new tasks and procedures, and measure the effectiveness of them
Advanced knowledge of best practices in catering management
Ability to apply industry knowledge to improve catering services
Excellent communication skills and the ability to converse with people of varying levels of seniority and expertise
Ability to foster good working relationships, assisting the Head Chef, and supporting other college officers, Fellows and student representatives in their roles
Adaptable and able to prioritise and undertake tasks in a logical and methodical manner; a flexible attitude towards hours and tasks; the good health to manage a variable and physical workload and to work, where necessary, long hours under pressure.
SUMMARY OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Full terms and conditions of employment will be provided in writing to the successful candidate. The information below is for guidance only and does not constitute the contract of employment.
Salary
The salary range for this post is University Grade 8 (£43,414 to £51,805 p.a.) depending on qualifications and experience. It is expected that the successful candidate will be appointed at the bottom of the salary scale.
Contract /Duration
This is a permanent full-time position. Ideally the post will commence as soon as possible after selection.
Hours of work
This is a full-time role, and the required hours are as such as reasonably required to carry out the duties to the satisfaction of the College. For staff at this level, the FTE figure is 37.5 hours, but flexibility in the number of hours worked is required, especially at busy times. The role will require working on a rota including evenings and weekends.
Probationary and notice periods
The post is subject to a six-month probationary period. After successful completion of the probationary period, three months’ notice of termination of employment is required by either party.
Benefits include:
HOW TO APPLY
Click ‘Apply online’ at the foot of this web page and complete the application form - which must include the contact details of two referees - and the Supporting Statement section stating why you are interested in the post and how your qualifications and experience match our essential and desired requirements. Please study the job description and person specification and explain what skills and personal qualities you would bring to the College, how they relate to the post you have applied for and demonstrate your ability to undertake the duties of the post.
The appointment will be subject to proof of the right to work in the UK, acceptable references, proof of any required qualifications and the satisfactory completion of a medical questionnaire.
Any enquiries about the application process should be emailed to HR@queens.ox.ac.uk
The deadline for the receipt of applications is midnight 6th February.
Interviews
We aim to hold interviews in the week commencing 13th February.
Data protectionAll data supplied by applicants will be used only for the purposes of determining their suitability for the post and will be held in accordance with the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation 2018.
Privacy Policy
The College Privacy Policy can be viewed here:
https://www.queens.ox.ac.uk/sites/www.queens.ox.ac.uk/files/Applicants-for-office.pdf
All data supplied to us during the application process will be processed and stored in accordance with this policy.
Diversity and Equal Opportunity at Queen’s College
The Queen’s College is an equal opportunities employer and a living wage employer.
Entry into employment with the College and progression within employment will be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria which are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. In all cases, ability to perform the job will be the primary consideration. No applicant or member of staff shall be discriminated against because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Applications are particularly welcome from underrepresented groups. We are committed to the principles of equal opportunities and respect for individuals in creating and maintaining an inclusive environment that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value and celebrate diversity and feel that is critical to achieving our strategic aims and long-term success. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. For more information, visit https://www.queens.ox.ac.uk/equality-information
The College also shares the university’s commitment ‘to fostering an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students are respected.’ The university’s full policy is available at https://edu.admin.ox.ac.uk/equality-policy
The College invites all applicants to familiarise themselves with its equal opportunities policy, available at https://www.queens.ox.ac.uk/sites/www.queens.ox.ac.uk/files/Equal-Opportunities-Policy-%28May%202020%29.pdf