Catering Manager

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About The Role

Job purpose

To lead and deliver all aspects of the club's catering operations, with a strong focus on food and beverage

delivery across kiosks, bars, hospitality suites, and non-matchday events. The role will include menu

development, food preparation, and drink service to ensure an outstanding supporter, guest, and client

experience while achieving commercial and service targets. A key player in helping position the LNER

Stadium as a venue for corporate events to help grow event revenue and repeat business.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Delivery

• Plan and deliver matchday catering operations, including kiosks, suites, lounges, and hospitality areas.
• Coordinate catering for non-matchday events such as conferences, private functions, and community events.
• Ensure all operations meet quality, service, and presentation standards aligned with the club's brand, consistently and continuously.
• Contribute to menu planning, recipe development, and food preparation to ensure quality, variety, and value across all outlets.
• Oversee the delivery of bar and beverage operations, ensuring efficient stock management, staff training, and high-quality service.

Commercial & Planning

• Proactively support the Head of Club Services and Head of Commercial in achieving catering and events revenue targets.
• Ensure the catering offer strengthens the club's reputation as a high-quality, reliable corporate event venue, driving new bookings and long-term partnerships.
• Prepare operational catering plans and schedules for matchdays and events.
• Work with sales and marketing teams to promote the LNER Stadium as a leading choice for conferences, meetings, and corporate hospitality, underpinned by exceptional food and drink.
• Work across the G&I group to dynamically and proactively grow the asset usage of all elements of the LNER, including multi-use room creation and monetisation.

Team & Supplier Management

• Recruit, train, and manage catering and events staff to deliver high levels of service.
• Train catering staff in food handling, standards, and bar service best practice.• Assist with rota planning and staff allocation for efficiency and quality.
• Proactively build pool of staffing talent reserve.
• Develop and motivate the team to deliver consistent, high-quality food and drink service.
• Liaise with suppliers, contractors, and hospitality partners to ensure smooth delivery.

Compliance & Safety

• Maintain full compliance with food hygiene, allergen management, licensing, and health & safety regulations.
• Conduct regular audits and risk assessments.

Financial Control

• Monitor budgets, cost control, and stock management.
• Provide accurate sales and performance reporting to the Head of Club Services.
• Manage food and drink costings, including gross profit margins, stock rotation, and wastage reduction.

Customer Experience

• Act as a key operational contact for catering and events clients.
• Handle customer feedback promptly, using it to improve service delivery.
• Gather feedback on food and drink offerings, using it to refine menus and service standards.

General responsibilities

• General administration as and when required.
• Carry out duties in accordance with all relevant company policies, including, but not limited to, the Health and Safety Policy, Code of Conduct Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Equality and Diversity Policy, Financial Regulation Policy and social media Policy.
• To safeguard and promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk.
• To be vigilant and support all safety and security operations.
• Act always with utmost good faith to the Club, Foundation and the Company.
• Devote full attention and ability to fulfilment of the duties required by the role.
• Other duties as reasonably requested by a member of the senior management staff.
• To work closely with partnership organisations, to maintain good relationships and collaborative working practices.
• To work with colleagues throughout Lincoln City Football Club & Foundation to extend knowledge and skills to identify and develop best practice.
• Deal with enquiries and general day-to-day liaison with customers, colleagues and partners.
• Carry out general office duties including data recording, filing, photocopying, sending and receiving emails.
• Active participation on continuing professional development and the appraisal process.
• To undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this job.
• To maintain the quality-of-service provision, regularly evaluating work and seeking to make improvements.
• Present a professional image when dealing with both internal and external contacts and partners, acting in a professional manner always.
• To cover as and when required at other departments within Lincoln City Football Club & Foundation.
• To recognise commercial opportunities across all products within Lincoln City Football Club & Foundation.
• Promote the brand identity and increase Lincoln City fanbase throughout.
• To support the Lincoln City Football Club green energy saving strategy and meet all requirements including but not exclusive to recycling, waste reduction, energy efficiency; and
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade and falling within the scope of the post.The above-mentioned duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exclusive nor exhaustive as the post holder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities, commensurate with the grading of the post, without changing the general character of the post.

Lincoln City Football Club & Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

and young people and expects all staff and employees to share this commitment.

About The Candidate

Person specification

KNOWLEDGE

The level and breadth of knowledge to do the job, eg. understanding of a defined system, method or

procedure, legal or regulatory frameworks etc

Essential

• Strong knowledge of catering operations in a fast-paced environment
• Knowledge of relevant health, safety, and food hygiene regulations, including allergen management and licensing
• Understanding of stock management and cost control in food and beverage operations

Desirable

• Knowledge of food preparation, menu planning, bar service, and food operations
• Knowledge of the sports, leisure, or hospitality industry (particularly stadium or large-scale venues)
• Awareness of corporate event requirements and expectations
• Understanding of sustainable and innovative catering practices

TECHNICAL/WORK-BASED SKILLS

Skills specific to the job, eg. computer competency, typing skills, coaching skills etc

Essential

• Proficient in computers with ability to use catering/event management systems, stock control, and rota software.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple events simultaneously
• Excellent attention to detail in operational planning and delivery
• Ability to train, lead, and supervise catering staff in food handling, service delivery, and compliance
• Financial acumen in budgeting, stock rotation, wastage reduction, and sales reporting

Desirable

• Experience in menu development and recipe creation tailored to diverse audiences
• Tech savvy with the ability to use digital tools and technology to improve operations and customer experience
• Skills in promoting food and beverage offerings in collaboration with marketing and sales teams

GENERAL SKILLS AND ATRIBUTES

More general characteristics, eg. flexibility, communication skills, team working etc

Essential

• Proactive. Very proactive.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to engage with staff, suppliers, and clients
• Ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure in fast-paced event environments
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and matchdays
• Commitment to high standards of customer service and operational delivery

Desirable

• Creative and innovative approach to enhancing customer experience
• Resilient and adaptable to change
• Commercially driven with an eye for growth opportunities

EXPERIENCE

Proven record of experience in a particular field, profession or specialism

Desirable

• Experience in catering and/or events management, ideally in sport, leisure, or hospitality venues
• Proven track record in managing budgets, stock control, and achieving commercial targets
• Experience of recruiting, training, and managing staff teams
• Experience in sports stadia, leisure venues, or large-scale hospitality settings
• Experience in corporate event catering and building long-term client relationships
• Experience in implementing sustainable catering practices
• Experience of menu development, food operations and bar management

About The Club

You can view the Official Club website at www.weareimps.com