Head of Projects - Catering Fit Out

Job Title: Head of Projects - Catering Fit Out

Location: Croydon, CR0 4XD

Salary: Competitive

Job type: Full time, Permanent

About us:

IFSE Group design, build and fit-out award-winning restaurants and commercial kitchen facilities for companies across the UK, from the high street brands to office and B&I food and beverage facilities. From a single piece of equipment to a full turn-key package, we treat every project with exactly the same care and efficiency, creating great results for our customers, our partners and our team.

About the role:

Due to a high level of enquiries and increasing projects, IFSE seeks a Head of Projects to manage their Project Management team.

Role Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the IFSE catering installation Project Management team and function, collaborating with all other internal teams.
• Implement systems to provide a holistic view of all projects, including weekly updates and reviews at the Monday Morning Meeting.
• Occasionally assist the sales team with client presentations and offer pre-order advice, including site visits and M&E service advice.
• Have working knowledge of order processing systems to ensure equipment is procured and received on time, and manage project delays.
• Check service drawings, quotations, and M&E specifications for accuracy and coordination.
• Prepare and oversee work programs for catering installation projects.
• Act as a senior point of contact for clients/main contractors when needed.
• Take overall responsibility for Health and Safety on all IFSE sites.
• Act as a link between the Sales and Project Management teams to ensure quality service and appropriate expectations.
• Collaborate with the Head of Building Works to ensure smooth operations between both project management elements.
• Assist with pricing installations when requested.
• Allocate new projects to team members and ensure efficient handovers from the sales team.
• Oversee installation and fabrication companies to ensure cost-effectiveness, quality, and compliance with program requirements. Ensure an appropriate spread of suppliers to meet demand.
• Liaise daily with the project management team to ensure smooth workflows and balanced workloads.
• Work with the Compliance Manager to ensure the quality of Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS), checking all sub-contractor RAMS before submission.
• Proactively suggest improvements to the PM service.
• Provide cover for project managers when they are on leave or managing multiple projects.
• Be aware of payment terms and alert finance departments when payment is required prior to delivery.
• Conduct site visits with PMs to maintain familiarity with all current projects.
• Ensure projects are handed over effectively with all necessary paperwork.
• Liaise with Romann Catering regarding maintenance contracts for handed-over projects.
• Organise and lead monthly Project Management Meetings.
• Ensure the team uses the Site Audit Pro application for site snagging

Who we're looking for:

• Experienced Catering Project Management Leader with proven experience in overseeing a commercial catering project management function.
• Excellent knowledge of all major catering equipment brands/equipment.
• Excellent technical knowledge of M&E services requirements for commercial catering installations.
• Candidate to be located within 1 hour commute of IFSE Croydon Office
• Candidate to either hold CFSP qualification or be willing to achieve the qualification.
• SMSTS Qualification required as well as other compliance qualifications (first aid, asbestos awareness etc).
• Excellent interpersonal skills required to lead the team of 3 project managers and liaise with other departments within IFSE. A positive, pro-active outlook is required.
• Excellent Customer Service ethos.
• Good understanding of project management IT applications, with the ability to suggest new technologies.
• Strong understanding of the Microsoft Office Suite.

What you'll receive:

• A competitive salary
• Company car (details to be agreed)
• Discretionary annual bonus (paid early in the financial year) which is related to the success of the company for the year
• Private Health Care (after 20 weeks service) Generous Company Pension (4% company contribution)
• Life cover amounting to 4x salary (after 20 weeks service)
• Paid annual leave: 25 days + public holidays. Following the third year of service, leave increases by one day per year, up to a maximum of 30 says annual leave. Bank holidays are paid in additional to the above annual leave

Additional Information:

Overseas candidates will NOT be considered for this role. We are not sponsoring Visa's at this time, so please refrain from applying unless eligible to work in the UK.

Work schedule of 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, with on-site parking available and the IFSE offices are within a 5 minute walk of the Waddon Marsh tram stop.

Please click on the APPLY button to send your CV for this role.

Candidates with experience of; Catering Project Manager, M&E Project Manager, Commercial Kitchen Project Manager, Catering Installation Manager, Project Leader, SMSTS Qualified Project Manager may also be considered for this role.