Assistant Retail Catering Manager

Assistant Retail Catering Manager

Salary range: £28,031 - £30,378

FTE: 1.0 (35 hours per week)

Term: Open

Closing date: 14 May 2026

The Assistant Catering Manager will play a key role in leading the University’s retail catering operations, working alongside the Deputy Retail Catering Manager, Supervisors, and Team Leaders to deliver the University’s Catering strategy and annual operating plan.

Catering and Hospitality, part of Campus Services, generates around £4 million annually, with Retail Catering contributing approximately £1.6 million across ten busy café outlets and plans to expand further in the next two years.

As a practical leader, you’ll manage and motivate staff to deliver friendly, efficient service that enhances the experience of students, staff, and visitors. You’ll take responsibility for staff recruitment and development, stock and resource management, and the implementation of sustainable practices across outlets.

We’re looking for someone with experience in catering, hospitality, or retail management, ideally across multiple sites. You’ll have strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills, with a passion for great food, excellent service, and continuous improvement. Energetic, adaptable, and customer-focused, you’ll bring creativity and professionalism to a role where no two days are the same.

Main Activities/Responsibilities:

1. Assist the Deputy Retail Catering Manager (DRCM) to implement innovative business development strategies and solid operational plans in catering outlets to generate income for the University, whilst enhancing both the student experience and the University’s reputation.

2. Support the DRCM to manage a cluster of catering outlets, operating across the campus, with responsibility for the set-up and service delivery in each area, whilst providing support to the retail supervisors and team leader.

3. Support the DRCM to deliver Food Hygiene/HACCP/Allergen management systems and University health and safety procedures, ensuring full compliance with accurate recording of critical temperature control and carrying out the required staff training.

4. Assist with recruitment and induction of staff. Implement and support the development and delivery of training plans to ensure staff have the knowledge to deliver an outstanding customer experience; recognise good performance, as well as address any areas of concern as they occur.

5. Undertake Annual Development Reviews with all direct reports, reviewing performance for the previous year and setting SMART objectives in line with the Departmental Strategy for the coming year.

6. Organise and lead weekly/monthly team meetings with direct reports and the wider teams to ensure clear, regular and positive communication at all times.

7. Use surveys, feedback and sales analysis of the back-of-house reports to provide insight on how food offerings, pricing and catering environments are performing to assist the DRCM in making informed business improvement decisions.

8. Develop internal and external relationships with key stakeholders and build partnerships in support of the Catering strategy.

9. Through short and long-term forecasting, appropriate budgeting and tight controls, ensure each unit in the cluster is both operationally excellent and financially sustainable. Share best practices with retail supervisors and team leaders.

10. Ensure appropriate stock levels, full product availability and excellent merchandising standards in each unit. Regular liaison with the Production Kitchen and Main Stores to ensure quality and consistency of homemade products on offer.

11. Ensure the Catering Department promotes itself within the University, raising the profile and reputation with student bodies, clubs and societies. Attend workshops, exhibitions, and conferences representing the University’s interests.

12. Perform any other reasonable duties requested by the DRCM, including deputising and representing the Deputy Retail Catering Manager in their absence.

For informal enquiries, please contact Laura Cassidy, Retail Catering Manager at laura.cassidy@strath.ac.uk.

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