Head of Catering

Full description

Department Operations Location - Town / City Johannesburg Job Context Servest is a world-class business that is innovative and a leader in the Integrated Facilities Management Industry. The company offers an environment that will accelerate your development and skills, as attracting top talent remains one of our highest priorities. Applications that meet the stated requirements are invited for a vacancy that exists for a dynamic and driven Head of Catering to join our team based at Servest Head Office in Midrand . This role reports directly to the COO . The successful incumbent will provide commercial leadership for the Catering Business Unit, with primary accountability for profitable revenue growth through new business development, strategic account expansion, and disciplined sales execution. The role is responsible for leading the end-to-end business unit to achieve agreed sales, revenue, gross profit, operating profit, and free cash-flow targets while ensuring operational excellence, food safety, service quality, client retention, and sustainable contract performance. The Head of Catering will translate market insights and organisational strategy into a differentiated catering proposition, a robust opportunity pipeline, and high-performing teams that deliver measurable value to clients and the organisation. Minimum Requirements Qualifications: - Minimum: Relevant bachelor’s degree or advanced diploma in Business Management, Commerce, Hospitality Management, Food Service Management or a related discipline. - Ideal: Postgraduate qualification in business, strategy or marketing; recognised sales or key-account-management qualification. Work Experience: - Minimum 10 years’ progressive experience in contract catering, food services, hospitality or facilities services, including at least five years in a senior commercial or general-management role. - Proven record of originating, shaping, pricing, negotiating and closing complex, high-value B2B contracts and tenders. - Demonstrated P&L accountability, multi-site leadership, mobilisation of new contracts and delivery of profitable growth. - Leading cross-functional bid, solution-design and mobilisation teams. Specialist Skills and Knowledge - Sales strategy, market segmentation, prospecting, pipeline governance, opportunity qualification and forecasting. - Consultative solution selling, value-proposition development, executive presentations, negotiation and contract closure. - Tender management, commercial modelling, pricing, margin analysis, contract risk assessment and mobilisation planning. - Strong knowledge of contract catering operations, food-cost control, labour productivity, supply-chain practices, food safety, quality and occupational health and safety requirements. - Financial acumen covering budgets, P&L, working capital, cash flow, capital expenditure and return on investment. - CRM discipline, data-led decision-making, competitor analysis and performance reporting. - Executive leadership, stakeholder management, coaching, change leadership and cross-functional collaboration. - Excellent written, verbal, presentation and influencing capability. Duties & Responsibilities - Lead the growth and profitability of the Catering Business Unit through strategic business development, account expansion, tender management, and the delivery of agreed sales and revenue targets. - Develop and execute business unit strategies aligned to organisational objectives, market trends, client needs, and sustainable growth plans. - Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, decision-makers, consultants, and strategic partners to drive new business opportunities and client retention. - Oversee the preparation and submission of competitive tenders, commercial proposals, contract negotiations, and solution development to secure profitable business. - Drive operational excellence across all catering contracts, ensuring service quality, food safety, compliance, client satisfaction, and effective contract mobilisation. - Assume full accountability for the Business Unit's financial performance, including revenue growth, profitability, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, working capital, and cash flow management. - Lead, develop, and inspire high-performing teams through effective performance management, coaching, succession planning, and talent development initiatives. - Monitor and report on sales, financial, operational, client, safety, quality, and people performance metrics, implementing corrective actions where required. - Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, accountability, and service excellence across the Business Unit. - Ensure sound governance, risk management, legislative compliance, and adherence to contractual obligations, company policies, and industry standards.