Catering Manager - Part Time - Ringwood Health & Leisure

Join the Energy at Freedom Leisure – Do Good Feel Good!

At Freedom Leisure, we’re all about positive vibes, great people and making a real impact. Yes, we run leisure and cultural facilities, gyms, and swimming pools - but at the heart of it all, it’s our people who make the difference.

As one of the UK’s leading charitable leisure trusts, we’re proud of our mission of Improving Lives Through Leisure.  We’re here to help communities live healthier, happier lives by making our centres welcoming, inclusive and accessible to everyone - because everyone deserves to feel good.  We’re all about delivering amazing customer service with a smile - every single day. We create spaces where people feel at home, supported and inspired.

If you’re passionate about helping others and love creating great experiences, you’ll feel right at home with us. With over 130 centres across England and Wales, there’s loads of room to grow.  Many of our team have built amazing careers doing what they love, helping customers day-to-day and making people feel good.

We’re proud to be a workplace where everyone is welcome, valued and supported to thrive - because when our team reflects the communities we serve, we all grow stronger together.

Your role will be to manage the catering function within the Centre, alongside an extension of the current soft play facilities. You will lead the team to ensure customers receive a professional and high-quality catering experience.

You will be responsible for delivering a varied menu and a range of refreshing beverages, ensuring staff are fully trained and operate in line with clear guidelines. Developing and evolving the service to meet the needs of the local community as well as adapting to seasonal changes will be key.

You will oversee stock control including ordering and rotation, maintain strong relationships with suppliers and support the delivery of income targets through effective performance and service development. You will also ensure high standards of food hygiene and safety are consistently met.

You should have experience in rota management and general catering operations, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. You will be confident in leading and motivating a team and supporting staff development through identifying and delivering training opportunities. Strong organisational and IT skills, including the ability to produce and interpret reports and data, are important. A team-orientated approach is essential, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and support colleagues.

In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.

Hours: 30 hours a week, Monday - Sunday (Rota basis)

*This is a temporary position of up to 12 months.

Requirements

• At least three years’ experience in a catering role
• Level 2 Food Hygiene qualification (or equivalent)
• Strong people management and leadership skills
• Experience of rota management
• Experience in customer service and problem solving
• Experience of managing or contributing to income targets
• Experience of stock management including ordering and rotation
• Ability to build, lead and motivate a team
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Good IT skills including producing and interpreting reports and data
• Team-orientated approach with the ability to work across teams

Desirable

• Experience of building relationships with key suppliers
• Experience of identifying staff training needs and implementing development opportunities
• Interest in leisure, cultural services and community-focused events

Benefits

We want you to love coming to work, feeling healthy, happy and valued. That's why we've developed a benefits package with you in mind, so what can we offer you?

• My Staff Shop, our very own staff benefit scheme, gives employees access to a great range of benefits. Get discounts on cinema tickets, travel bookings, high street e-vouchers, gift cards, days out, leisure activities and your day to day spending.
• Discounted Staff membership (including family members)
• Incremental holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 confidential, independent and professional counselling.