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Food Services Manager

Job details
Posting date: 11 September 2025
Salary: £40,000.00 per year
Additional salary information: Competitive
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 25 September 2025
Location: Colchester, CO2 7UT
Company: Sodexo Ltd
Job type: Permanent
Job reference: SDX/TP/1324814/147747

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Summary

  • 40 hours per week
  • Monday - Friday
  • up to £40,000 per annum
  • Sodexo rewards and benefits

Job Introduction

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Food Services Manager to lead the catering and hospitality services at Merville Barracks, Circular Road South, Colchester, CO2 7UT and affiliated sites. This is a pivotal role, responsible for overseeing all aspects of food service operations across junior ranks diners, satellite units, and associated facilities.

You will manage a team to deliver outstanding service, ensure compliance with contractual obligations, and drive innovation to enhance both the client and customer experience.

We are seeking a confident leader with a proven track record of managing large-scale catering or hospitality operations. You will be commercially astute, client-focused, and able to balance operational excellence with financial performance.

Whatyou’ll do:

  • Lead, coordinate, and oversee food services across two junior ranks diners, two satellite units, and associated facilities.

  • Deliver high-quality catering, café bar, retail, and hospitality services that meet client and customer expectations.

  • Ensure compliance with SLAs, KPIs, food safety, health & safety, fire safety, and statutory regulations.

  • Drive financial performance through effective P&L management, budget preparation, payroll control, and cost efficiency.

  • Monitor daily standards of service and conduct inspections, audits, and safety walks, ensuring corrective actions are completed.

  • Manage, coach, and develop staff to deliver consistently high standards while promoting employee engagement and wellbeing.

  • Lead labour management processes, ensuring optimal staffing levels and effective workforce planning.

  • Drive continuous improvement through innovation in food offers, promotions, marketing initiatives, and special events.

  • Build and maintain strong client relationships with senior military and civilian stakeholders, resolving issues proactively.

  • Represent Sodexo catering as contract champion and work collaboratively with other managers to drive innovation.

  • Ensure accurate use of company systems (e.g., Eprophit, DRIVE, Clarity/Epos, TMS, UDC billing) and compliance with all financial procedures.

  • Support additional onsite and offsite catering, functions, and events, some outside normal working hours.

  • Lead on compliance at the Personal Recovery Centre and Pegasus Sports Clubhouse.

  • Promote and maintain Sodexo’s brand standards, CSR commitments, and community engagement.

  • Implement training and development plans to ensure all staff meet statutory and professional requirements.

  • Champion a zero-harm culture, ensuring safety is the top priority across all food service operations.

  • Prepare and present financial forecasts, business plans, and reports, recommending improvements to service provision.

  • Drive growth by identifying and developing new sales opportunities while maintaining budgetary control.

  • Ensure robust stock, cash, and asset management processes are followed, minimising waste and shrinkage.

What you bring:

  • Experience in a management role within soft FM or food service operations.

  • Strong leadership and people management skills, including HR processes.

  • Food Safety qualification (CIEH Level 3 or equivalent).

  • Knowledge of health & safety and compliance requirements.

  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and numerical skills.

  • Proven ability to manage budgets and P&L.

  • IT literate (MS Office, catering systems).

  • Strong client relationship management skills.

Desirable:

  • Experience working within a military environment.

  • IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent H&S qualification.

  • Previous experience in a similar contract service provider role.

What we offer:

Workingwith Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of somethinggreater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values youfor you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everydayactions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we offer:

  • Mental health & wellbeing support
  • Employee Assistance Programme for personal, legal, and financial advice
  • 24/7 virtual GP & lifestyle rewards
  • Discounts for you & family
  • Financial tools & retirement plan
  • Cycle to Work & Paid volunteering day

Ready to be part ofsomething greater? Apply today!


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