Catering Account Manager – Independent Schools Portfolio (North & Midlands)Are you an experienced catering professional with a passion for exceptional food service, operational excellence, and team leadership? Do you thrive in dynamic roles where client satisfaction, innovation, and growth are at the heart of what you do? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!Independent by Sodexo is seeking a talented and driven Catering Account Manager to oversee our Independent Schools portfolio across the North and Midlands. This is a unique chance to play a key role in delivering high-quality catering services, ensuring client satisfaction, and driving business growth across multiple sites, with exciting opportunities for expansion.Why this role?Flexible and mobile role, no office routine—engage directly with clients and operational teams daily.Work within a supportive leadership environment, alongside experienced catering professionals.Join a stable and well-established contract with clear opportunities for growth and development.What You’ll Do:Support Catering Managers and the Account Director in developing and implementing the catering strategy to meet current and future client needs.Drive operational excellence by continuously improving food services, systems, and processes.Regularly meet with school clients to review service standards, gather feedback, and enhance offerings.Monitor and manage financial performance across multiple sites to ensure efficiency and profitability.Inspire and lead multi-site catering teams, ensuring high levels of motivation, performance, and staff development.Foster strong client relationships and act as the main point of contact for all catering-related matters.Ensure service delivery meets and exceeds client expectations, while embracing innovation in food offerings and service delivery.Some weekend and evening work may be required to meet the needs of the business.For a full list of responsibilities please view the attached job descriptionWhat You Bring:Proven experience in a similar role within contract catering or multi-site catering operations, preferably in education or independent schools.Strong leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and manage catering teams across multiple locations.Demonstrable experience in client relationship management and delivering against key performance indicators (KPIs).A track record of financial and operational management, including budget control and cost management in a catering environment.Excellent communication, negotiation, and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines.Confidence in using a range of IT systems, including MS Office and staff management tools.Willingness to travel across the North and Midlands to support multiple school sites.What we offer:Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater.You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we offer:From £52,000 per annum DOECarPerformance-related bonusContributory pension schemeFlexible benefits fund of £1,300 to utilise across an array of benefitsWe’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. This role will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.
