Compass Group UK & Ireland
Mess Manager
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Location: RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire
Salary: Up to £34,000 per annum
Hours: 40 hours per week (Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend functions)
Overview
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Mess Manager to lead the catering, hospitality, and soft FM services at RAF Cranwell.
This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for the smooth day-to-day operation of the Mess, ensuring exceptional standards of service, compliance, and customer experience within a prestigious Defence environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage all Mess operations, including catering, hospitality, and front-of-house services.
- Oversee day-to-day soft FM service delivery, ensuring consistent quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
- Act as the primary point of contact for the client, building strong relationships and ensuring expectations are consistently exceeded.
- Deliver high standards across daily Mess services, formal functions, and special events.
- Manage and respond to client feedback and satisfaction surveys, driving continuous improvement initiatives.
- Promote Mess facilities and services, creating a welcoming, professional, and engaging environment for all users.
- Identify opportunities to enhance service delivery, improve customer experience, and maximise revenue.
- Take ownership of budget management, including cost control, sales performance, forecasting, and financial reporting.
- Plan and manage staffing levels, rotas, and resources to meet operational requirements.
- Work collaboratively with internal departments to ensure seamless event planning and delivery.
- Maintain full compliance with Health & Safety, Food Safety, and Defence sector standards and regulations.
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About You
- Proven experience as a Mess Manager, Hospitality Manager, Catering Manager, or similar leadership position.
- Experience working within Defence, military, hospitality, catering, or facilities management environments is highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of customer service excellence and hospitality operations.
- Commercially aware with experience managing budgets and controlling costs.
- Effective leader with the ability to motivate, develop, and manage teams.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Highly organised with strong administrative and operational management capabilities.
- Confident using IT systems, hospitality software, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Positive, proactive, and customer-focused approach with exceptional attention to detail.
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About Us
Part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, ESS supports over 250 military establishments, government sites, and secure environments across the UK. We pride ourselves on delivering outstanding service in critical environments where professionalism, reliability, and customer experience are paramount.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary up to £34,000 per annum
- Free meals on duty
- Free onsite parking
- Contributory pension scheme
- Career development through Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Digital GP access and healthcare benefits
- Discounts across travel, retail, entertainment, and more
- Wellness, mindfulness, and fitness programmes
- Access to a wide range of employee rewards and recognition schemes
Join ESS at RAF Cranwell and play a key role in delivering exceptional hospitality and service excellence within one of the UK's leading Defence establishments.
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