Assistant Catering Manager

Job summary

Want to develop your career with the world's leading food service management company? Compass Group, the leading foodservice and hospitality provider across the Island of Ireland, is seeking an Assistant Manager to join its team on a permanent, full-time contract (37.5 hours per week) at Ulster University, Derry/Londonderry.

This role suits a motivated hospitality professional who enjoys leading teams and delivering high service standards. Working closely with the General Manager and onsite team, you will support smooth daily operations, strong client relationships, and excellent service delivery. The role offers a predominantly Monday to Friday, daytime schedule, with occasional evening or weekend work.

Key Responsibilities

As Assistant Manager, you will support the General Manager in leading, motivating, and developing the catering team to deliver high service standards. You will assist in planning and overseeing food service and hospitality activities in line with contractual requirements, while supporting recruitment, training, and development of team members to promote a strong customer-focused culture.

You will act as a key support contact for the client, helping to build effective working relationships. The role also involves supporting sales growth through local marketing initiatives, assisting with budget control and financial targets, and ensuring full compliance with Health & Safety, Food Safety, and company policies. You will support sustainability initiatives, including food waste reduction and Net Zero commitments, while monitoring KPIs and contributing to continuous improvement and operational efficiency.

Essential Criteria

• Previous supervisory or junior management experience within a catering, hospitality, or food service environment
• A minimum of one year's experience in a similar Assistant Manager or supervisory role
• Strong people management, communication, and organisational skills
• Good working knowledge of Health & Safety and Food Safety requirements in a service environment
• Experience working in a fast-paced operational setting such as hospitality, catering, retail, or facilities management
• Commercial awareness, including experience supporting budget control and cost management
• A clear focus on operational delivery and team performance (this is not a hands-on cooking role)
• A strong customer and client service focus, with a commitment to delivering high service standards

Desirable Criteria

• The following experience would be advantageous, though not essential:
• Experience working within hotels, corporate events, and/or licensed premises
• Experience supporting sustainability initiatives or food waste reduction programs
• Exposure to marketing, promotional, or customer engagement activities
• A genuine interest in food, service quality, and continuous improvement

Benefits

• Compass Ireland offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:
• Free meals while at work
• Access to the platform, earning Wow Points and discounts across a wide range of brands, activities, and retailers
• Additional seasonal, overtime, and flexible working hours
• Career Pathways to support career progression and skills development
• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• Additional Leave Purchase scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme for personal and professional support
• Internal reward and recognition schemes
• Regular communications highlighting exclusive offers and savings

At Compass Ireland, our people are our business. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity, inclusion, and investing in the growth and development of every colleague.

For further information and to submit your application, click the apply icon.