Service Manager, Catering Band 6

Job details

• Branch: Belfast Area (SEHSCT)
• Location: UH, Main Building
• Salary: Band 6 (£38,682 - £46,580)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 23/07/26
• Closes: Thu, 06 August 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

Important Information If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Service Manager, Catering

BAND

DIRECTORATE

INITIAL LOCATION

6

Nursing, Midwifery & Support Services

Ulster Hospital, Main Building

REPORTS TO

Service Lead, Catering, Support Services

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Senior Manager, Catering, Quality and Performance Training and Chaplaincy Services

JOB SUMMARY

The Post holder will assist the Service Lead and Senior Manager, Support Services in the provision of Catering services which includes patient care and retail operations. He / she will lead Catering services in a customer-focused manner ensuring delivery of appropriate quality services, which will achieve value for money with the agreed budget allocations. He / she will provide specialist knowledge and advice regarding Catering, Health & Safety, Food Hygiene and administer the review of processes and procedures for Catering Services with Trust Policies and Procedures

He/she will participate in the Manager On-call rota for Major Incident Planning & Business Continuity Services as per the agreed rota.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day operational management of Catering Services (patient care and retail operations) on Ulster Hospital site.

Assist with the development, planning and implementation and review of service strategies, polices and plans for the services under the remit of the post holder

Will develop systems and procedures to meet operational requirements including contingency plans for emergency situations

Will develop annual programme of work under the remit of the post holder to ensure the achievement and maintenance of legislative and other relevant standards

To manage all aspects of production and presentation of service having regard to standards of Health & Safety, hygiene, nutritional value and customer satisfaction. To ensure that the standard of service and the quality of food and drink ordered meets the high standards expected by patients, staff and customers.

To keep all necessary records and maintain all necessary systems and procedures to ensure control of stocks, the appropriate use of resources and compliance with all internal audit and banking procedures

The provision of special catering functions and beverage requirements as required

Attend meetings, advise and support relevant staff groups and committees within the Trust

Ensure risk assessments are carried out in accordance with Trust Health & Safety Policy

Communication and Information Management

To establish and develop external alliances e.g. Environmental Health Officers to facilitate the development and implementation of catering strategies

To promote the aims and objectives of Support Services Department throughout the Trust

To ensure that the needs of patients are at the core of the services provided

To maintain effective communication systems for service users

To work in partnership with the Trust and its user groups to establish and develop service requirements

To participate in the handling of patient / public complaints ensuring appropriate follow up action is taken

Quality

To ensure the highest standard of customer care is delivered to all customers using Trust facilities

To obtain user views on the quality of services provided by the Department and to recommend improvements in services offered in response to customer feedback

To manage, monitor and review a range of Support Services as required site wide.

To audit the levels of food waste and be proactive in managing waste

To manage, monitor and review a range of Health & Safety and Food Hygiene process as required.

Facilitate line mangers and staff in meeting legislative requirements relevant to their areas of responsibility

To ensure that the needs of patients, clients, and their carer’s are at the core of the services provided

To participate in quality initiatives such as Investors for People, Charter Mark, ISO, HQS.,Caloriewise, Nutritional Standards and EFQM across the Trust

To manage the development and improvement of the service to ensure that delivery is safe, effective, and cost effective and follows best practice.

Financial and Resource Management

To manage a delegated budget to ensure strict financial control and to ensure that areas of responsibility are adequately resourced and staff are deployed in such a way as to provide a prompt service at all times, ensuring that an appropriate skill mix is maintained

To income targets are achieved and maximised

To be responsible for the security and maintenance of the catering areas and their contents and for taking all reasonable measures in these respects, including the accounting and banking of cash and stock

To ensure that all catering areas are equipped with the correct levels of light equipment and liaise with Service Lead and Senior Manager in contributing to the capital investment and development process within the Trust as required

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Organisation supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who have responsibility for managing other staff:

Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.

Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.

Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.

Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making.

Adhere to and promote Organisational policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins The Organisation’s values.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Organisation’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of The Organisation's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

Take responsibility to minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible. This will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel.

All employees of the Organisation are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the South Eastern H&SC Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the South Eastern H&SC Trust policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent The Organisation’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within The Organisation's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information. PPI_leaflet.pdf (hscni.net)

July 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND

Service Manager, Catering

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE

Nursing, Midwifery & Support Services

SALARY

Band 6

HOURS

37.5

Ref No: 55794824

July 2026

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note The Organisation reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

University Degree or relevant, equivalent Professional Qualification plus at least one year’s recent suitable middle management experience within support services.

OR

Worked for at least 3 years in a middle

management role where you have gained experience relating to Catering Services.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

Level 3 Food Safety qualification

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by The Organisation which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Successful applicant will undertake and attain, funded, Level 4 Food Safety Qualification within one year on commencing post

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Strong interpersonal and communication skills both in written and verbal.

Ability to develop good working relationships with Officers in all grades and professions

Interview

Knowledge

Knowledge of Food Hygiene Legislation

Evidence of knowledge of specialist dietary requirements

Evidence of budgetary management.

Interview

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Knowledge of Health and Personal Social Services.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications

Group Training Certificate

Accredited HACCP training

Level 4 Food Safety Qualification

Shortlisting by Application Form

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for The Organisation to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

To access a copy of the Access NI Code of Practice, please Click here

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has guidance on the Recruitment of People with Criminal Convictions. To access a copy of this guidance, please Click Here

Protecting and using your information

To access a copy of the Trust’s Data Protection Policy Statement,

Click Here

THE ORGANISATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER. PLEASE CLICK ON LINK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION - Equal Opportunities Employer - HSCNI Jobs

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. Request for recognition of previous service with non-direct NHS/HSC organisations towards starting salary and incremental credit must be made via the Retained Recruitment team within 3 months from commencement of employment. Requests made after 3 months will not be considered. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times