Hiring Now | Junior Catering Manager | Cape Town, Western Cape | Fixed-Term Contract Available
Empact Group, one of South Africa’s leading food service and catering solutions providers, is actively recruiting a driven and operationally skilled Junior Catering Manager to join its Food Solutions division in Cape Town, Western Cape. This is your opportunity to take ownership of a dynamic kitchen operation, apply your culinary and management expertise, and grow your career within a well-established, nationally recognised contract catering organisation. If you hold a relevant tertiary qualification in food and beverage services or culinary arts and have hands-on kitchen management experience, Empact Group wants to hear from you.
🍽️ Don’t miss this opportunity — vacancies are filling fast. Apply before 12 June 2026.
About the Role
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Job Title | Junior Catering Manager |
| Company | Empact Group (Pty) Ltd |
| Division | Empact Group Food Solutions |
| Industry | Food and Beverages / Contract Catering |
| Functional Area | Operations |
| Job Type | Fixed-Term Contract |
| Salary | Market Related |
| Location | Cape Town, Western Cape |
| Minimum Experience | Associate (2+ Years) |
| Closing Date | 12 June 2026 |
| Application Status | ✅ Open – Accepting Applications Now |
About the Role
Empact Group Food Solutions is seeking a capable and motivated Junior Catering Manager to take full operational responsibility for an assigned catering unit in Cape Town. In this role, you will manage the daily running of the kitchen, oversee the implementation of production processes, control food and labour costs, and ensure full compliance with HACCP standards and food safety regulations. You will operate across a range of service environments — from high-volume institutional catering to more refined dining settings — making adaptability and strong food skills essential.
The ideal candidate is someone who combines a solid culinary foundation with practical management ability and financial acumen. You will be responsible for creating innovative menus, balancing budgets, managing a team, and delivering consistently high standards of food quality and customer service within a structured, fast-paced catering environment. This is an excellent opportunity for an emerging catering professional to step into a management role with one of South Africa’s most respected food service groups.
⚠️ Please note: Empact Group is committed to Employment Equity in line with applicable legislation and will give first preference to candidates as per Equity requirements. Applicants are advised to bear this in mind when submitting their applications.
⚠️ Privacy notice: By applying for this role, you consent to Empact Group (Pty) Ltd storing and processing your personal information for recruitment purposes in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
Key Responsibilities of a Junior Catering Manager
Daily Unit Operations Management
- Take full responsibility for managing the daily operations of the assigned catering unit from opening to close.
- Ensure that all food production and service activities are executed to the required quality and presentation standards.
- Oversee the smooth running of the kitchen environment, including workflow, scheduling, and resource allocation.
- Respond promptly and professionally to any operational challenges that arise during service periods.
Production Process Implementation
- Implement and monitor the food production process in line with company standards and client expectations.
- Ensure all food preparation, portioning, and presentation aligns with approved recipes and production specifications.
- Maintain consistent food quality across all meal periods and service occasions, whether high-volume or à la carte.
- Drive a culture of precision and professionalism throughout the production team.
Food & Labour Cost Management
- Actively manage and control food and labour costs to operate within approved budget guidelines.
- Monitor wastage, portion control, and procurement to minimise unnecessary expenditure without compromising quality.
- Apply sound financial acumen to identify areas for cost savings on soft costs while protecting service standards.
- Compile and interpret cost reports to support operational decision-making and budget compliance.
HACCP & Food Safety Compliance
- Demonstrate a thorough, practical understanding of HACCP principles and apply them consistently across all kitchen operations.
- Ensure that all food handling, storage, preparation, and service activities comply with South African food safety legislation and industry regulations.
- Conduct regular food safety checks and audits, addressing non-compliance promptly and thoroughly.
- Train and coach kitchen team members on food safety protocols and hygiene standards to maintain a compliant and safe working environment.
Menu Innovation & Customer Service
- Develop and present innovative, seasonally appropriate menus that meet client requirements and exceed customer expectations.
- Balance creativity with commercial awareness, ensuring menus are achievable within budget and production capacity.
- Respond to customer feedback and use it constructively to improve food quality, variety, and service delivery.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with clients and end-users, ensuring a consistently high standard of customer satisfaction.
Minimum Requirements – Junior Catering Manager
Educational Qualifications:
- Relevant tertiary qualification in Food and Beverage Services, Culinary Arts, or an equivalent field (compulsory)
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years’ experience in cooking and kitchen management (compulsory)
- Demonstrated experience working within budget guidelines to deliver results (compulsory)
- Proven financial acumen in a catering or food service environment (compulsory)
- Experience in high-volume, complex foodservice operations (highly desirable)
Knowledge Requirements:
- Sound knowledge of the catering environment, spanning fine dining through to high-volume restaurant and institutional service
- Knowledge of South African food safety legislation and industry-specific regulatory requirements
- Working knowledge of HACCP principles and their practical application
Skills & Competencies:
- Strong food skills with the ability to produce high-quality output consistently
- Proven management and leadership skills with experience overseeing kitchen teams
- Excellent customer service skills and a client-focused approach to service delivery
- Strong communication skills — verbal and written — across all levels of the organisation
- Ability to balance budgets and reduce soft costs without compromising on service standards
- Ability to develop innovative, commercially viable menus suited to the client base
- Computer literacy — proficient in standard business and reporting software
Personal Attributes:
- Detail-oriented, organised, and able to perform effectively under pressure
- Self-motivated with a proactive approach to problem-solving
- Adaptable across multiple catering environments and service styles
📢 Empact Group is committed to Employment Equity in accordance with applicable legislation. First preference will be given to candidates who meet Equity requirements.
Core Values We Look For in a Junior Catering Manager
✅ Operational Excellence & Kitchen Ownership
Empact Group’s clients expect consistently high food quality and seamless service delivery. We look for junior managers who take genuine ownership of their assigned unit — who arrive prepared, lead their teams with purpose, and hold themselves to the highest standards of food production, hygiene, and service, every single day.
✅ Financial Responsibility & Commercial Awareness
Managing food and labour costs is not a back-office function — it is a core part of running a profitable catering unit. We value candidates who understand the relationship between portion control, procurement, labour scheduling, and the bottom line, and who consistently make decisions that protect budget integrity without compromising quality.
✅ Food Safety & HACCP Commitment
In contract catering, food safety is non-negotiable. We value managers who do not treat HACCP compliance as a checklist exercise, but as a genuine professional standard — one that they model for their team and embed into every aspect of daily operations, from receiving stock to plating the final dish.
✅ Creativity & Menu Innovation
Great catering is about more than consistency — it is about keeping menus fresh, exciting, and relevant to the client and customer base. We value managers who bring genuine culinary creativity to the role, developing menus that delight customers, reflect seasonal availability, and remain fully achievable within production and budget constraints.
✅ People Leadership & Team Development
A well-run kitchen is built on a well-led team. We value junior managers who lead by example, communicate expectations clearly, coach their team members with patience and purpose, and create a working environment where people are motivated to perform at their best — even during the most demanding service periods.
Career Growth Opportunities in Contract Catering & Food Service Management
Joining Empact Group as a Junior Catering Manager is a proven launchpad for a successful career in food service operations and management. High-performing individuals who demonstrate leadership, financial discipline, and operational excellence can expect to progress through the following pathway:
- Junior Catering Manager → Catering Manager
- Catering Manager → Senior Catering Manager / Unit Manager
- Senior Catering Manager → Regional Operations Manager
- Regional Operations Manager → Divisional / National Operations Director
Your career path is in your hands.
Frequently Asked Questions – Junior Catering Manager Jobs
What qualifications are required for this post? A relevant tertiary qualification in Food and Beverage Services, Culinary Arts, or an equivalent field is compulsory. Applicants who do not hold a recognised tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline will not meet the minimum criteria for this role.
How much experience is required? A minimum of 2 years’ experience in cooking and kitchen management is compulsory. Experience working within budget guidelines and demonstrating financial acumen in a food service environment is also a compulsory requirement. Experience in high-volume, complex foodservice operations is highly desirable and will strengthen your application.
Is this a permanent position? No. This post is a fixed-term contract position. The specific contract duration will be confirmed during the recruitment process. Empact Group does periodically convert strong performers into permanent roles where operational requirements allow.
Does Empact Group have an Employment Equity preference for this post? Yes. Empact Group is committed to Employment Equity in line with applicable South African legislation and will give first preference to candidates who meet Equity requirements. All qualifying candidates are encouraged to apply, and Equity status should be clearly indicated in your application.
What does the role involve on a day-to-day basis? The Junior Catering Manager is responsible for managing the full daily operation of an assigned catering unit — including kitchen production, food and labour cost control, HACCP compliance, menu planning, team supervision, and client service delivery. The role spans a range of catering environments, from high-volume institutional service through to more refined dining settings.
How do I apply and what is the closing date? Applications close on 12 June 2026. To apply, submit your application via the Empact Group careers portal or through the advertised application channel. Ensure your CV clearly reflects your relevant qualification, years of experience, and any high-volume catering environments you have worked in. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
How to Apply for This Junior Catering Manager Job
Ready to take the next step in your catering management career with one of South Africa’s leading food service groups? Applications are open now. Quote Junior Catering Manager – Cape Town in all correspondence and submit your application as directed below.
👉 Apply Online via Empact Group Careers Portal
⚠️ Closing Date: 12 June 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
⚠️ Empact Group will give first preference to candidates in line with Employment Equity requirements. Please ensure your EE status is reflected in your application.
⚠️ By applying for this role, you consent to Empact Group (Pty) Ltd processing your personal information for recruitment purposes in accordance with POPIA.
Apply early — this vacancy closes on 12 June 2026.
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