Catering Service Support Manager

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Catering Team at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust as a Catering Services Support Manager within the Estates, Facilities and PFI Services Division. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced catering professional with a passion for fresh food, quality service and team leadership to take the next step in their career within the NHS.

We are looking for someone with a strong background in fresh food production, high-volume catering and bulk batch cooking, ideally with experience working in complex catering environments such as healthcare, education, contract catering or hospitality. The successful candidate will be confident leading from the front, supporting teams across our sites to deliver safe, high-quality catering services to our patients, visitors and staff.

This role will suit someone who is a genuine food enthusiast, a “foodie” who enjoys new ideas, innovation and developing services, while also maintaining a strong understanding of food cost control, operational efficiency and team development. As part of a forward-thinking catering team, you will play an important role in helping to shape and improve our services.

Working within the NHS also offers an excellent work-life balance, alongside access to a wide range of benefits including the NHS Pension Scheme, generous annual leave, and opportunities for training, development and career progression.

The Catering Services Support Manager will support the operational management and delivery of catering services across the Trust, ensuring services are safe, efficient and delivered to the highest possible standards.

This is a hands-on leadership role, requiring a visible presence within kitchens and catering operations.

Key Responsibilities Include

Supporting the day-to-day operational management of catering services across Trust sites. Providing strong leadership and support to catering teams, helping to maintain high standards of food quality and service delivery. Leading from the front within kitchen and food service environments and supporting operational service where required. Ensuring compliance with food safety legislation, HACCP procedures, infection control and health and safety standards. Supporting monitoring of service performance, audits and quality assurance processes. Assisting with workforce management including staff supervision, training, development and performance management. Monitoring food usage, stock control and supporting good financial management including food cost awareness. Contributing to service development, innovation and continuous improvement across catering operations.

The post holder will help ensure that catering services remain responsive, efficient and aligned with the Trust’s commitment to delivering excellent patient and staff experiences.

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Joe Ronan Job title: UHNM- Catering Services Manager Email address: joe.ronan@uhnm.nhs.uk