Lexington is an award-winning contract caterer that focus on providing great food and service to customers. To do this we need fabulous people and we work hard to create an environment where our team members feel engaged, inspired, valued and enjoy what they do.
Our way of saying thank you…
At Lexington, we strive to ensure that our colleagues feel appreciated & rewarded, which is why we offer generous rewards & benefits in exchange for your dedicated efforts.
- FREE On-Site Lunches: Savour delicious and healthy meals, on us, every day at work
- Flexible Working: Enjoy the freedom to balance work and personal life with our flexible working hours
- Holiday Allowance: Start with 28 days of holiday to relax and recharge, increasing to 31 days after two years of service
- Family Leave: Prioritise your family commitments with our family leave options designed to support you during important times
- Paid Charity Leave: Make a difference in your community with paid time off to volunteer for your favourite causes
- Opportunities for Career Progression: Grow and advance your career with us, supported by continuous learning and development opportunities
- Comprehensive Wellbeing Benefits: Access mental health support and a range of wellbeing benefits to keep you feeling your best, both professionally and personally
- Life Assurance & Pension Schemes: Secure your future with our life assurance and workplace pension schemes
- Exclusive Discounts & Perks: Enjoy discounts and cashback on entertainment, leisure activities, and much more, alongside our popular cycle-to-work scheme
About the Role
We are seeking a dynamic, commercially astute and operationally hands-on General Manager to lead the catering provision at a prestigious, high-volume private school. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering exceptional food services across core feeding, hospitality, and retail operations, ensuring consistent quality, financial performance, and client satisfaction.
This is a key leadership position requiring experience in educational catering (desirable), strong financial and people management capabilities, and the ability to operate with professionalism and resilience in a demanding, fast-paced environment.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Management
- Oversee the day-to-day running of all catering services, including breakfast, lunch, supper (if applicable), hospitality functions, and retail outlets.
- Ensure high standards of food quality, presentation, and service in line with company and client expectations.
- Lead daily briefings and service checks to ensure smooth delivery and team alignment.
- Maintain strong visibility across service points to lead by example and uphold standards.
Client and Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as the primary point of contact for the school leadership team and other key stakeholders.
- Build and maintain strong professional relationships, proactively addressing feedback and evolving requirements.
- Attend regular client meetings and provide insightful performance updates and improvement plans.
Financial and Commercial Oversight
- Take full ownership of the site’s P&L, delivering budgeted targets on sales, labour, and cost of goods.
- Prepare and review monthly forecasts, variance reports, and financial commentary.
- Drive commercial growth through menu innovation, upselling, and hospitality development.
- Negotiate with suppliers and manage procurement in line with group policy and allergen controls.
People Leadership and HR
- Lead, develop and inspire a large, diverse catering team, including supervisors, chefs, and front-of-house staff.
- Conduct recruitment, performance management, training, and succession planning.
- Manage employee relations, rota planning, holiday cover, and disciplinary processes in line with HR policy.
- Foster a positive team culture focused on accountability, development, and service excellence.
Compliance and Standards
- Ensure full compliance with food safety legislation, allergen regulations, and internal audit protocols.
- Maintain rigorous cleanliness, hygiene, and H&S standards across all service and kitchen areas.
- Lead on all company compliance initiatives including training, temperature checks, and due diligence.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Proven experience managing a high-volume catering operation, preferably within the education or independent schools sector.
- Strong financial acumen with a track record of managing budgets, controlling costs, and delivering on financial KPIs.
- Excellent leadership and people management skills, with a proven ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams.
- Exceptional client relationship management skills with the ability to influence and build trust at senior level.
- Good knowledge of allergens, food safety, and nutritional standards.
- Resilience, composure, and professionalism in managing day-to-day pressures and long-term goals.
- Strong IT literacy (e.g. Excel, EPOS systems, stock management tools).
Desirable
- IOSH / Level 3 Food Safety / Allergen Awareness qualifications.
- Experience within a private school or prestigious educational setting.
- Background in developing high-end hospitality or fine dining within a contract catering environment.
Working Pattern: 5 out 7, 40 hours p/w
Why Join Us
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a values-driven organisation delivering excellence in education catering. You’ll have the opportunity to shape the culture and standards of a flagship site, supported by a wider regional team and company resources.
Why it’s great to work for us…
At Lexington, we dare to be different in our food, catering, reception services, and work culture. Our values encourage creativity, boldness, and fun, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We nurture talent, helping our people thrive and reach their potential.
We take pride in being an equal opportunity employer and welcome everyone. Let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments or assistance in your application, and feel free to share your pronouns.
Join our award-winning team passionate about serving delicious food to exceptional clients in London. Visit our website to hear from our team first-hand.
