Job Description

We're seeking a passionate and service-focused Catering Operations Lead to oversee the full delivery of retail and hospitality food services at Wythenshawe Hospital. Responsible for ensuring consistent quality and high standards across all catering outlets, you'll work closely with both the client and operational teams to deliver an exceptional experience for patients, staff, and visitors.
Reporting to senior management, you'll take ownership of food service performance, ensuring it meets client expectations and adheres to agreed service standards. A key focus will be on service excellence, quality assurance, and stakeholder engagement-driving improvements and championing best practices across the site.
You'll play a vital role in building and maintaining strong relationships with Trust partners, ensuring alignment with their goals and supporting collaborative ways of working. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on, quality-driven leader who thrives in a high-pressure healthcare environment and is committed to delivering outstanding catering services every day.
What You'll Do:
Assist the Head of Catering in delivering budgeted profit and turnover; manage allocated budgets, stock control, wastage, and labour efficiency.
Ensure full compliance with Company and Trust policies, food safety, health & safety legislation, and contract specifications; liaise with EHOs and escalate operational risks appropriately.
Recruit, lead, and develop direct reports; manage all HR-related issues including performance, absence, conduct, pay progression, and grievances in line with policy.
Conduct effective team briefings and ensure two-way communication across all staff levels; reinforce Company and Trust objectives and values.
Monitor and maintain high levels of client and service user satisfaction through regular feedback and Clients for Life review processes.
Use Kronos and DRIVE systems to manage staff scheduling, payroll accuracy, performance data, and margin control for retail and hospitality operations.
Collaborate with regional teams to review and update retail menus regularly, incorporating innovation and market trends while maintaining profitability.
Oversee third-party contractors and agency suppliers to ensure quality service, value for money, and compliance with Company and Trust standards.
Ensure all health & safety standards are understood and implemented by all staff, including agency workers and new starters; promote the CARES programme.
Contribute to site development planning, share best practices, manage personal development, support refurbishments, and participate in a 7-day operational rota.
What You Bring:
Proven experience managing multi-site or multi-outlet operations, with additional benefit from experience in branded outlets.
Background in high-volume catering environments with a strong track record in sales growth and labour management to budget.
Experience in customer-facing roles, demonstrating excellent customer service and communication skills.
Strong leadership skills with experience managing large teams and building effective working relationships.
Able to work independently and professionally under pressure, adapting to changing situations.
Clear, confident communicator with patients, visitors, clients, and colleagues at all levels.
Positive, enthusiastic attitude with strong interpersonal and teamwork abilities.
Strong literacy, numeracy, and ability to follow procedures, standards, and instructions accurately.
What we offer:
Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it's a chance to be part of something greater. You'll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you'll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you'll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
• Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
• The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
• Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
• A Death-in-Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
• Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
• Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment
• Competitive compensation
• Full training and full protective uniform supplied.

Ready to be part of something greater? Apply today! Career progression for the caring profession.
Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.
About Sodexo
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.
We're a Disability Confident Leader employer. We're committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.
Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.
Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.
Attached documents
Salary 32,000 - 35,000 per annum plus Sodexo Benefits
Frequency Annual
Job Reference SDX/TP/2023816/147231
Contract Type Permanent - Full Time
Closing Date 15 September, 2025
Job Category Retail
Business Unit UK Healthcare
Location Wythenshawe, United Kingdom
No. of positions 1
Posted on 01 September, 2025

Skills Required