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Catering manager
Food service manager
Catering managers run the food service of organisations including restaurants, bars, schools, colleges and outside suppliers.
Average salary (a year)
£20000
Starter
£34000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
37.0 to 41.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a university course; a college course; an apprenticeship; working towards this role
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree.
Useful subjects include
business and hospitality management, culinary arts or culinary management, hotel and catering management
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/
College
You could take professional catering qualifications at college then move into management. You could also do a qualification in hospitality management and find work as a trainee catering manager.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
    Apprenticeship
    You could do a Hospitality Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, if you've got experience in catering and have also worked as a supervisor.
    You could also do a Hospitality Supervisor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship and then progress to become a hospitality and catering manager.
    Entry requirements
    You'll usually need:
    • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
    • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
    More Information
    equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
    guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
    Work
    You could start as a kitchen assistant or trainee 'commis' chef and work your way up while learning on the job. You could apply for work with restaurants, bars or catering companies.
    More Information
    Further Information
    You can find out more about catering careers from Caterer.com and CareerScope.
    What it takes
    Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
    Skills and knowledge
    You'll need:
      Leadership skills
      The ability to motivate and manage staff
      Excellent verbal communication skills
      Customer service skills
      Business management skills
      Knowledge of food production methods
      Maths knowledge
      The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    Digital Skills Level
    to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
    What you will do
    Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
    Day to day tasks
    As a catering manager, you may
    recruit and train staff, manage a team, and organise shifts and rotas, plan finances, manage budgets and oversee stock control, meet suppliers and negotiate contracts, monitor the quality of the service to customers, follow food hygiene and health and safety regulations, cater for special diets and meet cultural and nutritional needs
    Working environment
    You could work at a restaurant, at a school, in an NHS or private hospital, in a hotel or at a conference centre.
    You may need to wear a uniform.
    Career Path & Progression
    Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
    With experience you could
    move into larger organisations or event catering, study for further qualifications to move into other hospitality roles, start your own contract catering business
    Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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