Hiring Now | Catering Manager | George, Western Cape | Fixed-Term Contract Available
Empact Group (Empact Group Food Solutions) is hiring a Catering Manager based in George, Western Cape. If you have proven mid-to-senior kitchen management experience, hospital catering expertise, and a strong background in operational cost control, this is your opportunity to join one of South Africa’s leading facilities services groups and lead a dedicated food service operations team.
🍳 Don’t miss this opportunity — applications are open now. Apply before 09 October 2026.
Catering Manager Job Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Job Title | Catering Manager |
| Employer | Empact Group (Empact Group Food Solutions) |
| Industry | Food and Beverages / Catering / Healthcare Operations |
| Job Type | Fixed-Term Contract |
| Experience Level | Mid-Senior Level |
| Location | George, Western Cape |
| Minimum Qualification | Relevant Tertiary Qualification in Food & Beverage / Culinary Arts |
| Experience Required | 3+ Years kitchen management, hospital catering, and budget control experience |
| Closing Date | 09 October 2026 |
| Application Status | ✅ Open – Accepting Applications Now |
About the Role
Empact Group Food Solutions is seeking a qualified Catering Manager to manage all food service-related activities at its assigned unit in George, Western Cape. In this role, you will oversee daily kitchen operations, implement production processes, develop tailored menus, manage kitchen staff (brigade), and enforce full compliance with HACCP and health and safety standards. You will be directly responsible for balancing unit budgets, managing food and labor costs, and maintaining exceptional service delivery within a complex environment.
This is a strategic and operational leadership role designed for an experienced culinary manager with hands-on hospital catering experience and specialized knowledge of special diets. The ideal candidate is business-savvy, computer literate, well-versed in South African labor and industry laws, and capable of delivering outstanding function and high-volume meal services while controlling soft costs.
Key Responsibilities of a Catering Manager
Operational & Kitchen Management
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Manage the strategic and day-to-day operations of the assigned unit in George.
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Oversee daily kitchen production processes, meal service, and overall workflow execution.
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Lead, mentor, and manage the kitchen brigade to foster high performance and operational excellence.
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Manage high-volume, complex food service operations and ensure exceptional function delivery.
Menu Planning & Specialized Dietary Compliance
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Develop, plan, and execute structured menus in accordance with dietary guidelines and client requirements.
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Apply specialized diet knowledge to meet health, hospital, and patient-specific dietary standards.
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Ensure all meal preparation adheres strictly to client standards and hygiene requirements.
Financial Management & Cost Control
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Manage unit budgets, balancing costs to deliver strong financial and operational results.
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Control food and labor costs strictly to prevent wastage and operational overruns.
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Identify areas for operational efficiency to save on soft costs without compromising quality.
Quality Control, HACCP & Compliance
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Maintain an overall, thorough understanding and enforcement of HACCP protocols.
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Apply strong knowledge of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) standards and South African industry laws.
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Oversee food safety audits, kitchen hygiene checks, and regulatory compliance.
Minimum Requirements – Catering Manager
Educational Qualifications:
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Relevant tertiary qualification in Food and Beverage Services or Culinary Arts (compulsory)
Experience Required:
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Minimum 3 years of progressive/kitchen management experience (compulsory)
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Hospital catering experience (compulsory)
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Proven experience working within strict budget guidelines to deliver financial results (compulsory)
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Experience in high-volume, complex food service operations (highly desirable)
Knowledge Requirements:
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Knowledge of special diets and clinical/hospital meal requirements (compulsory)
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Strong knowledge of HACCP guidelines and Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) protocols
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Comprehensive understanding of South African and industry-specific legislation
Skills & Competencies:
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Exceptional customer service and function management skills
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Strong financial acumen (budget control, food cost analysis, labor management)
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Advanced leadership, management, and interpersonal communication skills
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Computer literacy
Core Values We Look For in a Catering Manager
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✅ Strategic Leadership & People Management: A great manager builds a disciplined team. We value leaders who manage their kitchen brigade effectively, foster open communication, and promote operational consistency.
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✅ Financial Discipline & Efficiency: Operating within budget is vital to operational sustainability. We value managers who monitor food and labor costs daily, cut unnecessary soft costs, and maximize efficiency.
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✅ Precision in Specialized Nutrition: Hospital food service leaves no room for error. We value catering leaders who understand special diets thoroughly and maintain meticulous standards for patient care and satisfaction.
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✅ Uncompromising Safety & Quality: Hygiene standards are paramount. We value professionals who uphold HACCP guidelines, maintain rigorous HSE controls, and ensure compliance with South African laws.
Career Growth Opportunities in Catering & Healthcare Operations
Starting as a Catering Manager with Empact Group Food Solutions offers a clear pathway into senior operational executive leadership:
Catering Manager → Senior Unit Manager / Complex Manager → Operations Manager: Food Solutions → Regional Operations Director → General Manager: Catering & Facilities Services
Your career path is in your hands.
Frequently Asked Questions – Catering Manager Jobs
What educational qualifications are required?
A tertiary qualification in Food and Beverage Services or Culinary Arts is compulsory for this role.
Is hospital catering experience mandatory?
Yes. Candidates must have prior experience in hospital catering and a strong knowledge of special diets to qualify.
What financial responsibilities does this position carry?
The role requires managing food and labor costs, balancing unit budgets, and controlling soft costs within high-volume operations.
How does Empact Group handle candidate data and Employment Equity?
Empact Group is committed to Employment Equity principles under South African legislation. Personal candidate data is securely collected, processed, and stored in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI Act 4 of 2013).
What is the closing date and where is the role based?
The application closing date is 09 October 2026. The position is based in George, Western Cape.
How to Apply for This Catering Manager Job
Ready to drive culinary excellence and operational quality with Empact Group in George? Applications are open now.
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⚠️ Closing Date: 09 October 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.
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⚠️ The position is based in George, Western Cape. Candidates must be able to work on-site in George.
Apply early — this vacancy closes on 09 October 2026.
Explore More Food, Healthcare Catering & Operations Manager Jobs
Looking for more opportunities in food service management, hospital catering, and operations across South Africa? Browse our latest vacancies below:
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👉 Catering Manager & Food Operations Jobs Western Cape 2026
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👉 Hospital & Healthcare Catering Manager Vacancies South Africa
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👉 Empact Group Food Solutions Vacancies 2026
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👉 Senior Kitchen & Food Service Management Jobs 2026
Post last updated: September 2026
Keywords: catering manager jobs George Western Cape 2026, hospital catering manager vacancy Empact Group, food solutions operations manager George, HACCP catering manager jobs South Africa, special diets culinary manager vacancy, Empact Group POPI compliant jobs 2026
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