Hiring Now | Catering Manager | Fedics — Tsebo Solutions Group | White River, Mpumalanga | Full-Time Position Available

Fedics, the contract catering division of Tsebo Solutions Group — one of Africa’s leading Integrated Workplace Management Solutions providers — is building a talent pool of experienced Catering Managers for its Mpumalanga operations, with a current focus on the White River area. This is a full-time role for a commercially grounded, people-centred, and operationally strong Catering Manager who can take full responsibility for the day-to-day management of a key catering account — maintaining service delivery standards in line with site-specific SLAs, managing client relationships, developing site teams, controlling budgets and P&L, and driving continuous improvement across all aspects of the unit’s operation. Previous experience in the Retirement Space will be a significant advantage.

Don’t miss this opportunity — vacancies are filling fast. Apply before 30 September 2026.

Catering Manager Job Overview

Detail	Information
Job Title	Catering Manager — Mpumalanga Talentpool
Reference Number	TSE260831-5
Company	Fedics / Tsebo Solutions Group
Business Unit / Division	Fedics
Industry	Contract Catering / Integrated Facilities Management
Job Type	Full-Time
Salary	Market Related
Location	White River, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Closing Date	30 September 2026
Application Status	Open – Accepting Applications Now

About the Role

Fedics is seeking a Catering Manager to oversee the full operational management of a Key Account in the Mpumalanga region. In this role, you will take complete responsibility for the unit — managing a team of catering staff, setting and enforcing service delivery standards, ensuring food quality and presentation meet Fedics standards, controlling all finances and budgets within approved parameters, processing weekly and monthly P&L reports, and building strong daily relationships with the client and customers on site.

As part of the Tsebo Solutions Group, Fedics offers clients reduced costs, reduced risk, and increased operational efficiency — and the Catering Manager is the on-the-ground leader who makes that promise a daily reality. This is a role for someone who leads from the front: who can manage demanding operational environments, develop their team through training and performance management, anticipate client needs before they become complaints, and stay ahead of food trends and industry best practices. Previous experience managing catering in the Retirement Sector is highly advantageous and will be a strong differentiator in the selection process.

Please note: This position forms part of a Mpumalanga Talent Pool (Reference: TSE260831-5). Candidates who are shortlisted will be considered for placement as suitable Key Account opportunities arise in the White River and broader Mpumalanga area. Candidates must be willing and able to work long hours and over weekends as operational requirements demand.

Key Responsibilities of a Catering Manager

Full Unit Management & Operational Responsibility

• Take full responsibility and management of the assigned unit, ensuring all operational functions are performed to the standard required by Fedics and the client’s SLA.
• Set and enforce service delivery standards across all areas of the catering operation, ensuring that quality, consistency, and professionalism are maintained at all times.
• Implement and maintain operational controls in full alignment with budgetary requirements, ensuring the unit operates within approved financial parameters without compromising service quality.
• Organise, prepare, and coordinate all functions and events on the unit, taking personal responsibility for the success of every catering activity.
• Stay abreast of latest food trends and best practices, continuously elevating the unit’s food offering to reflect current industry standards and client expectations.

Food Quality, Presentation & Fedics Standards

• Ensure that the quality of food preparation, presentation, and service consistently meets and exceeds Fedics standards across all meal periods and service occasions.
• Ensure full compliance with all Fedics policies and procedures relevant to food production, food safety, hygiene, and service delivery.
• Drive a culture of culinary excellence and innovation, motivating the kitchen team to produce food that reflects both technical skill and genuine care for the customer.

Financial Management & P&L Accountability

• Take full management responsibility for all administration, finances, debtors, and budgets within the unit.
• Process Fedics paperwork and compile, understand, and manage weekly and monthly Profit & Loss (P&L) statements, ensuring all financial information is accurate, timely, and well-managed.
• Analyse financial performance regularly and take proactive corrective action where actual costs deviate from budgeted targets.
• Utilise and maintain familiarity with relevant accounting systems to support accurate financial reporting and budget management.

People Leadership, HR & IR Management

• Lead, motivate, train, and develop a team of catering staff, creating a high-performance, accountable, and service-driven team culture.
• Manage all daily HR and IR matters within the unit — including training, development, performance management, and disciplinary processes — in line with company policy and applicable labour legislation.
• Implement development plans for site staff, supporting the growth of individual capability and building a resilient, well-trained team.
• Foster a positive, professional, and productive team environment that attracts and retains capable, motivated catering professionals.

Client Relations & Customer Satisfaction

• Build and maintain strong relationships with the client and customers on a daily basis — this is an essential requirement of the role, not an optional activity.
• Analyse and pre-empt client needs and possible complaints, addressing issues proactively before they affect the client relationship or the unit’s SLA performance.
• Conduct regular site visits and client engagement activities, ensuring that all client-facing interactions reinforce Fedics’ reputation for quality, reliability, and responsiveness.
• Support and develop site management to ensure consistent delivery of client expectations across all operational areas.

Minimum Requirements – Catering Manager

Educational Qualifications:

• Matric / National Senior Certificate (essential)
• Culinary tertiary qualification — diploma, certificate, or degree in culinary arts, hospitality management, or a related field (essential)

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar Catering Manager or senior management role in a contract catering or hospitality environment (essential)
• Familiarity with accounting systems used in a catering or food service management context (essential)
• Previous experience in the Retirement Space / retirement village or frail care catering environment (highly advantageous)

Knowledge Requirements:

• Strong understanding of contract catering operations and the delivery of SLA-driven food service to Key Accounts
• Working knowledge of weekly and monthly P&L management in a catering management context
• Familiarity with food safety standards, HACCP, and hygiene requirements applicable to a regulated catering environment
• Understanding of HR and IR processes in a multi-staff catering environment

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong business acumen — the ability to manage a unit commercially while maintaining the highest standards of food quality and client service
• Excellent interpersonal skills for daily client engagement and team leadership
• Strong time management skills — able to manage a complex, multi-function operational environment effectively
• Computer skills — proficient in Microsoft Office and relevant catering management or accounting software
• Innovative approach to streamlining operational systems and improving service delivery efficiency
• Strong communication and organisational skills across all levels of the business and client environment
• Meticulous attention to detail and a high standard of accuracy in all financial, administrative, and food quality activities

Personal Attributes:

• Honest, reliable, and commercially accountable — takes full personal ownership of the unit’s performance
• Resilient and adaptable, able to work in a demanding operational environment including long hours and weekends when required
• Proactive, solutions-focused, and committed to continuous improvement in food quality, team performance, and client satisfaction

Core Values We Look For in a Catering Manager

Full Ownership & Operational Accountability

A Fedics Catering Manager does not manage from a distance — they own the unit, and everything that happens in it. We look for managers who take genuine personal accountability for the quality of the food, the performance of the team, the accuracy of the P&L, and the strength of the client relationship. When something goes wrong, the right Catering Manager is the first to identify it, the first to fix it, and the last to make excuses for it.

Commercial Discipline & Budget Integrity

Managing a catering unit within budgeted costings while delivering the quality that clients expect requires both financial discipline and operational creativity. We value Catering Managers who read their P&L with genuine understanding, who manage food costs and labour costs proactively rather than reactively, and who consistently find ways to protect margin without reducing the standard of food and service that the client is paying for.

Client Partnership & Daily Relationship Management

In contract catering, the client relationship is the contract. We value managers who treat client engagement not as a periodic requirement but as a daily professional priority — who anticipate needs before they become complaints, who communicate proactively when challenges arise, who follow up when issues are resolved, and who build the kind of trust that makes clients want to renew and extend their relationship with Fedics.

People Development & Inspirational Leadership

The quality of a Fedics unit is ultimately determined by the quality of its team — and the team’s quality is determined by the quality of its leadership. We value Catering Managers who invest genuinely in their people, who train with patience and consistency, who manage performance with fairness and accountability, and who create a kitchen and service environment where staff are motivated, capable, and proud of the food they produce.

Food Excellence & Continuous Improvement

Great contract catering is built on consistently outstanding food. We value Catering Managers who never stop raising the bar on food quality, presentation, and menu innovation — who stay informed about food trends, who challenge their team to improve, and who understand that a client who is delighted by the food they are served every day is a client who will never look for an alternative provider.

Career Growth Opportunities in Contract Catering & Facilities Management

Joining Fedics as a Catering Manager in the Mpumalanga region positions you within one of Africa’s most respected integrated workplace management groups. For commercially strong, high-performing individuals, the progression pathway within Tsebo Solutions Group is clear:

• Catering Manager → Senior Catering Manager / Key Account Manager
• Senior Catering Manager / Key Account Manager → Area Manager / Operations Manager
• Area Manager / Operations Manager → Regional Manager
• Regional Manager → Divisional Director / National Operations Director

Your career path is in your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions – Catering Manager Jobs

What does “Mpumalanga Talentpool” mean for this post? This position is part of a Mpumalanga Talent Pool — meaning that shortlisted candidates will be assessed and held in a pool of pre-qualified Catering Managers who will be considered for placement as suitable Key Account opportunities arise in the White River and broader Mpumalanga region. Successful candidates will be contacted when a matching opportunity becomes available. This approach allows Fedics to move quickly when a new account requires an experienced manager.

Is experience in the Retirement Space essential? No — it is listed as highly advantageous, not essential. The minimum experience requirement is 5 years in a similar catering management role, which may have been in any contract catering environment. However, candidates with specific experience managing catering in retirement villages, frail care facilities, or similar residential care environments will be significantly preferred in the selection process, given the nature of many of Fedics’ Key Accounts in the Mpumalanga region.

What does the P&L management responsibility involve? The Catering Manager is fully accountable for processing Fedics’ unit paperwork and compiling, understanding, and managing weekly and monthly Profit & Loss statements. This requires the ability to read and interpret financial reports, identify cost variances, and take corrective action to ensure the unit operates within its budgeted parameters. Familiarity with accounting systems used in a catering management context is an essential requirement.

Will I be required to work weekends and long hours? Yes. The role explicitly states that the Catering Manager must be able to work long hours and over weekends as operational requirements demand. Contract catering — particularly in residential or key account environments — often involves early starts, late finishes, and weekend coverage. Candidates who are not available or willing to commit to these hours should consider this carefully before applying.

What culinary qualification is required? A culinary tertiary qualification is listed as an essential requirement alongside Matric. This includes a diploma, certificate, or degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Food Service Management, or a related field from a recognised institution. Candidates who hold a Matric and 5 years’ management experience but no culinary tertiary qualification should note that this may affect their eligibility for shortlisting.

What is the closing date and how do I apply? The closing date for talent pool applications is 30 September 2026. Quote reference number TSE260831-5 in all correspondence. Ensure your CV clearly reflects your culinary qualification, 5 years of catering management experience, P&L management competence, and any retirement sector experience. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

How to Apply for This Catering Manager Job

Ready to bring your contract catering expertise to one of Africa’s most respected workplace management groups? Applications are open now. Quote reference number TSE260831-5 in all correspondence and submit your application via the Tsebo Solutions Group careers portal.

👉 Apply Online via Tsebo Solutions Group Careers Portalhttps://tsebo.erecruit.co/candidateapp/Jobs/View/TSE260831-5

Closing Date: 30 September 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

This position forms part of a Mpumalanga Talent Pool. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted as suitable Key Account opportunities arise in the region.

If you are not contacted within a reasonable period after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Apply early — this talent pool closes on 30 September 2026.

Explore More Contract Catering & Facilities Management Jobs

Looking for more opportunities in catering management, facilities management, and integrated workplace solutions across South Africa? Browse our latest vacancies:

👉 Catering Manager & Contract Catering Jobs South Africa 2026 👉 Fedics & Tsebo Solutions Group Vacancies Mpumalanga 2026 👉 Key Account Catering Management Jobs White River – Apply Now 👉 Retirement & Healthcare Catering Manager Jobs South Africa 2026 👉 Facilities & Integrated Workplace Management Jobs Mpumalanga 2026

Post last updated: 2026 | Keywords: catering manager jobs South Africa 2026, Fedics catering manager vacancy White River Mpumalanga, Tsebo Solutions catering manager job 2026, contract catering manager vacancy Mpumalanga, TSE260831-5 Fedics catering manager, retirement catering manager jobs South Africa, key account catering manager vacancy Mpumalanga 2026, P&L catering manager jobs South Africa, facilities management catering jobs White River, contract catering manager Mpumalanga talent pool 2026