Catering Operations Assistant Floor Manager

Please note that all applications must apply via the University of Essex vacancies webpage

https://vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive\_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC179GF.open?WVID=9918109NEm

Catering Operations Assistant Floor Manager

“In a world where you can be anything… be kind.”

Lead the Food. Inspire the People. Grow Together.

This role is far more than a Catering Operations Assistant Floor Manager — it’s an opportunity to build a culture and shape a team that thrives together. We’re looking for a passionate, forward‑thinking leader who believes that the best food and the best service come from teams who feel heard, valued, trusted, and inspired. Someone who leads by listening brings people together and knows that success happens when we all move forward as one team.

Based at our Colchester Campus, you’ll guide a dynamic, high‑volume catering operation, shaping not only menus but mindsets — creating an environment where teamwork, shared ownership, and togetherness sit at the heart of everything we do.

What You’ll Be Known For

Building a strong, united team culture where everyone feels listened to, respected, and empowered. Leading by example — working with your team, not above them. Lead on multiple concepts, supported by clear recipes, training programs, and operational standards. Coaching, mentoring, and guiding people to grow, succeed, and feel confident in their roles. Encouraging ideas from every team member and transforming feedback into meaningful action. Driving new concepts, service styles, and improvements together, as a team. Delivering exceptional customer experiences while meeting GP targets, budget requirements, and commercial objectives.

The Role

Responsible for the day‑to‑day running of our catering operations, you will champion consistency, quality, and creativity across a range of branded concepts. You’ll bring experience from a fast‑paced educational, retail, or canteen‑style setting, combined with a calm and supportive leadership approach that inspires your team and upholds high standards. Working closely with the Operations Manager and wider team, you will ensure the seamless delivery of the service expectations set by your operations Manager.

About You

You’re a natural leader — someone who listens first and leads with empathy. You understand that great teams are built on trust, communication, and shared purpose. You bring energy, creativity, structure, and positivity, all while staying grounded in the human side of leadership.

You’ll also bring:

Proven experience managing high‑volume catering operations

A collaborative, inclusive approach to leadership

Strong communication skills and a positive, can‑do attitude

Commercial awareness with a passion for delivering outstanding food and strong financial performance

Why This Role?

Because here, teamwork isn’t a buzzword — it’s our way of working.

If you want to lead, inspire, and grow with your team…

If you believe food brings people together…

If you want to help shape the future of catering in Higher Education…

Then this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact — for your team, for our students, and for the wider University community

Duties of the role:

You will be running the day-to-day operations and service of the outlets, including managing stock and team management, managing daily compliance of health and safety regulations.

Appointment to this post will be made on a permanent, full-time basis (38 hours per week). worked as required within the working operational window any 24 hours in a 7 seven day period 5 days in 7 days.

Qualifications and Skills required

Who should apply? If you are passionate about food, passionate about leading and developing high performing teams whilst watching your ideas make a difference, this job may be just for you.

It is essential that you hold a relevant qualification or have equivalent experience in Hospitality Leadership or Hotel and Catering Management. You should also have proven experience in leading service delivery within fast‑paced, higher‑education or high‑street restaurant environments. Experience in retail, coffee shops, and branded food outlets is highly desirable.

Additional essential skills include the following: strong leadership, exceptional attention to detail, excellent interpersonal skills and outstanding Barista skills.

There are no parameters when it comes to creative thinking and new ideas, though you will need an eye for detail and customer service skills to match. You will be up to date on current food trends, including knowledge of street food, plant-based menus and the resurgence of coffee within the marketplace.

At Essex Food, we work as one team. We treat each other with kindness and respect, and we’re committed to empowering every team member. We listen, support, and believe in our people—giving them the confidence and autonomy to make decisions. Our aim is to help each individual grow into the best version of themselves, which in turn delivers the best value to our customers. Together, we learn what great food service looks like—with no exceptions—and we support one another wherever we can, turning good into excellence.

We believe the team makes the dream work. The “not my job” attitude has no place here. We stand united with one vision—lifting each other through challenges and celebrating success together. We carry each other through tough times, share wins, and grow stronger as one. If you're ready for the challenge, you're ready for Essex Food.

We don’t make mistakes—we learn. Every experience is an opportunity to grow, and every challenge is a chance to improve. There’s no such thing as a stupid question. Curiosity and open communication are the foundations of our learning culture. We encourage questions, ideas, and feedback from everyone, because that’s how we get better—together. In a world where you can be anything we start with being nice

Why you should work for Essex Food

As well as working in a friendly team at Essex Food we offer generous benefits to our employees and promote a work life balance. Employees receive a generous pension and annual leave entitlement along with the University’s mandatory Christmas closure. We provide all employees with training and development opportunities.

Duties of the Role

1. Leadership

Lead and support the day‑to‑day operation of multiple high‑volume catering outlets, working hands‑on with the team and leading by example. You will run the floor—setting the tone for service, driving standards, and ensuring a confident, positive working environment. Build strong customer relationships, resolve issues professionally, and guide both front‑ and back‑of‑house teams to deliver excellent service every day. Foster a culture that embodies Essex Food values and encourages pride, teamwork, and ownership.

2. Stock & Product Management

Support stock management by monitoring levels, identifying requirements, and ordering goods through both paper‑based and digital systems. Work closely with the Stores to maintain accurate stock control and minimise waste. Regularly taste food and drink to ensure consistency, quality, and adherence to agreed standards, providing timely feedback to the kitchen team.

3. Customer Experience & Service Improvement

Champion the customer experience by ensuring every outlet is set, presented, and operated to the highest standard. Collaborate with managers and team members to refine service delivery, improve menus and displays, and enhance all customer touchpoints. Ensure daily procedures are followed consistently to deliver smooth, efficient service.

4. Team Leadership & People Development

Lead and support front‑of‑house and back‑of‑house teams, creating a collaborative and positive working environment. Work closely with chefs and shift leaders to ensure all team members are equipped, confident, and supported in their roles. Actively participate in recruitment and help shape a strong, motivated, customer‑focused team.

5. Team Culture & Engagement

Promote a culture built on kindness, respect, teamwork, and accountability. Encourage a “can‑do” approach and support team members to make decisions, solve problems, and contribute ideas. Celebrate success, build morale, and ensure a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere across all outlets.

6. Training, Development & Performance

Deliver hands‑on training, coaching, and development using SOPs, toolbox talks, and standardised training materials. Work with the Operations Manager to ensure training is consistent across all units and that all team members understand their responsibilities. Demonstrate the behaviours, standards, and service approach expected from the team.

7. Rotas & Workforce Planning

Support the Operations Manager with rota planning and adjustments based on business needs and budget requirements. Assist with payroll information for operations managers and support attendance processes for permanent team members, ensuring accuracy, fairness, and compliance.

8. Communication

Communicate clearly and regularly with the Operations Manager, and Essex food team members, . Share updates on service performance, staffing, events, and operational needs. Collaborate closely with the Operations Team, Event Essex, UECS colleagues, and external partners to deliver key events and business activity smoothly.

9. Compliance

Ensure all HR, health and safety, food safety, and allergen requirements are fully adhered to across all units daily. Maintain accurate allergen documentation and ensure team members are fully trained and confident in meeting legal requirements. Ensure daily checks are completed and that all areas remain safe, compliant, and audit‑ready.

10. Events & Additional Responsibilities

Support and deliver major events, conferences, and core campus activities in partnership with Event Essex and internal stakeholders. Travel to all Essex Food locations, including Loughton and Southend, as required. Accommodation will be provided if necessary to meet business needs.

11. Empower

Create an environment where team members feel trusted, supported, and able to thrive.

Empower means

Enabling people to succeed

Equipping them with the tools and authority to deliver results

Fostering autonomy, confidence, and accountability

Providing support for sound decision‑making

Encouraging independent problem‑solving and ownership

Creating a culture of initiative and continuous improvement

Delegating responsibly while offering guidance

Supporting growth, development and future potential

Requirements

A qualification or equivalent experience in Hospitality Management or Hotel and Catering Management

Experience in working in the Higher Education Sector

Previous experience of managing staff across multi-sites

Experience of improving service delivery and customer service

Previous experience of popular and busy High Street Restaurant setting

Experience in budget preparation, forecasting, reviewing and reporting

Knowledge and experience of Microsoft tools including Excel

Outstanding Customer Service Skills

The ability to think and act swiftly/calmly, when in a demanding working environment

The ability to work accurately, with exceptional attention to detail, whilst working to tight deadlines and prioritising task as needed.

Financial, budgeting and stock-taking skills

Strong leadership and motivating skills, including the ability to build strong relationships with customers and staff

The ability to work under pressure

Understands and applies commercial and financial principals, implementing pricing and selling strategies ensuring full understanding of the current business needs in the current high street market

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and written

Outstanding Barista skills with the ability to train staff to transfer these skills

Ability to meet the requirements of UK ‘right to work’ legislation\

A flexible approach to work, in order to meet the needs of the business (i.e. to cover early mornings, evenings and weekends)

Reliability and good timekeeping

Must be smart and presentable at all times

\ In accordance with Home Office guidance and the Asylum, Immigration and Nationality Act 2006 the University of Essex has a responsibility to ensure all employees are eligible to work in the UK. Prior to commencing employment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide documentary evidence to this effect. For those who do not have a right to work in the UK, the University is a UKVI licensed sponsor and may be able to provide sponsorship to successful candidates who are offered skilled roles and meet the eligibility criteria. Further information about UK immigration requirements and working in the UK can be found on the Home Office website www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Pay: £30,058.35-£32,673.85 per year

Work Location: In person