Chef Catering Manager

About the role

A client of Black Pearl Consult is looking for an experienced Chef Catering Manager to oversee catering operations across a portfolio of corporate, hospitality, institutional and event-based catering services in the UAE. The role covers operational excellence, service quality, client satisfaction, team leadership and financial performance, while maintaining the highest standards of food safety, compliance and customer experience.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day catering operations across multiple locations, events or client sites.
• Manage catering teams, including supervisors, kitchen and service staff and logistics teams.
• Build strong relationships with corporate clients, event organisers and key stakeholders.
• Plan, coordinate and execute catering projects and events within client requirements, budgets and timelines.
• Monitor performance, service quality and productivity, and ensure compliance with food safety, health and safety, municipality and company policies.
• Collaborate with culinary and production teams on menus, food quality, inventory and efficiency.
• Handle staffing plans, scheduling, recruitment, onboarding, training and performance management.
• Control budgets and costs, and oversee procurement, suppliers, inventory and logistics.
• Handle client feedback and complaints, and prepare reports and business reviews for senior management.

Required profile

• Minimum 8 years of experience in catering operations in the UAE, with a strong background in corporate, hospitality, institutional or event catering, or central kitchen operations.
• Proven experience managing large-scale catering operations and diverse teams.
• Strong understanding of the UAE catering market, client expectations and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, client accounts and priorities at once.
• Currently based in the UAE and able to attend interviews at short notice; immediate availability is highly valued.

Required skills

• Leadership, people management and stakeholder engagement.
• Sound financial acumen with budget and cost management experience.
• Knowledge of food safety standards, HACCP requirements and UAE health regulations.
• Excellent communication and client relationship management.