Catering manager

Catering managers run the food service of organisations including restaurants, bars, schools, colleges and outside suppliers.


Typical Salary

£20,000 – £34,000

per year

Working Hours

37–41

hours per week

Career Area

Catering and bar managers

View related courses

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

Skills needed

  • 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
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

How to get into this role

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

Career progression

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