Catering Manager - Staplehurst

Join Our Friendly Staplehurst Team!

Catering Manager – Staplehurst - The Millbrook Garden Company
Are you passionate about great food, exceptional service, and creating a warm and welcoming café or restaurant environment? Do you love leading teams, delivering outstanding standards, and driving commercial success? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

We’re looking for an enthusiastic, organised, and people‑focused Catering Manager to lead our catering operation and help make every visit to the Green Café Staplehurst a memorable one.

 

Working Days/Hours

Position Ref: STACAT1

• Week 1: Monday 8 – 5, Tuesday 8 – 5, Wednesday 8 – 5, Friday 8 – 5
• Week 2: Monday 8 – 5, Tuesday 8 – 5, Wednesday 8 – 5, Friday 8 – 5, Saturday 8 – 5, Sunday 8:30 – 16:30

 

About the Role

As our Catering Manager, you’ll be responsible for the smooth and efficient day‑to‑day running of the Green Café. You’ll lead a passionate team to deliver a high‑quality, consistent and enjoyable experience for every customer.

This is a hands‑on leadership role where you’ll inspire, coach, and support your team — ensuring outstanding service, strong operational standards, and excellent commercial performance that supports our wider business goals.

 

Your Day-to-Day Will Include:

Commercial Performance

• Achieving sales, margins, and wage budget targets.
• Controlling stock ordering and reducing wastage in line with company expectations.
• Using KPIs to understand trends and maximise sales and profit opportunities.

Team Leadership & Development

• Recruiting, training, and managing catering staff.
• Carrying out 1-1s, appraisals, and supporting ongoing team development.
• Creating a positive, motivating, and accountable working environment.

Operational Standards

• Ensuring consistency in food quality, presentation, and service.
• Working closely with the Chef to maintain food specs and achieve GP targets using systems such as Kitchen Cut.
• Training and supporting front‑of‑house staff to follow EPOS and service procedures.
• Promoting sustainable practices and reducing energy and resource usage.
• Assisting with food preparation, cooking, or barista work when required.
• Participating in the Duty Manager rota, including key holder responsibilities.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Maintaining a safe, compliant environment in line with company and legislative standards.
• Ensuring adherence to Health & Safety, Environmental Health, and Trading Standards requirements.
• Participating in HACCP procedures and supporting excellent food hygiene practices.

 

What We’re Looking For

We’re searching for someone who is:

Positive

You bring energy, optimism, and a “can‑do” approach to your team and customers.

Professional

You take pride in delivering excellent standards and communicating clearly and effectively.

Proactive

Full of ideas and initiative, you’re always looking for opportunities to improve.

People‑Focused

You care about your team and customers, creating a warm, supportive working environment.

Also Essential:

• Experience managing a catering, hospitality, or food‑service team.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach and develop others.
• Confidence in managing financial targets and operational standards.
• A passion for delivering high‑quality food and outstanding customer experiences.

 

What You’ll Get in Return

• Sociable working hours and a great work/life balance.
• Opportunities for professional development and progression.
• Competitive salary.
• Generous employee discount.
• Access to our Personal Pension Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Free on‑site parking.
• Uniform provided.

 

Why Join Millbrook?

At Millbrook, we believe in growing smiles — for our customers and our colleagues.
We’re dedicated to creating a positive, supportive, and professional working environment where everyone thrives.

By joining us, you’ll become part of a friendly and passionate team who care about great service, supporting one another, and helping to make Millbrook the very best it can be.

 

To Apply for this Role

Please complete our Application Form and upload your CV.

Closing Date: 5pm Sunday 8th February 2026
Correspondence: All communication will be via telephone and email — please include both on your application.
Support: If you require any adjustments during the application or interview process, we’re happy to help.

 

Appointment Process

• Telephone Interviews: ASAP upon receipt of application
• Individual Interviews: TBC
• Trial Shift: TBC
• Induction Date: Saturday 7th March
• Start Date: Following induction

Please note: To be successful, you must be available for all parts of the recruitment process.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications, so early submission is encouraged!