Catering Manager

Catering Manager - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

About Saudi Gold Refinery

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is a Saudi mining and precious-metals company specialized in the refining of gold and precious metals, bullion production, and value-added precious-metal services. Operating within the Kingdom's mining value chain, SGR is aligned to the Vision 2030 mining pillar and to the regulatory framework set by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) and applicable Saudi and international standards. We produce responsibly sourced, traceable, and certified bullion, operate to LBMA Good Delivery and ISO-aligned quality standards, and invest in the people, processes, and controls behind every bar we produce.

Role Overview

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is seeking a Catering Manager in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to oversee all food service operations for our corporate and site-based facilities. This role ensures compliance with Saudi health regulations and delivers consistent meal quality for site workers. The Catering Manager maintains high hygiene standards and operational efficiency across 24/7 sites operations.

The Catering Manager will report directly to the VP of HR and will play a key role in maintaining workforce morale through reliable and high-quality food services. This position controls the catering budget, enforces strict health and safety compliance, and optimizes vendor performance to support SGR's operational continuity.

Key Responsibilities

The Catering Manager will execute the following responsibilities to ensure service excellence and regulatory compliance.

Vendor Contract Management

The role manages the end-to-end tendering and contracting process for catering services, ensuring vendors meet SGR's quality, cost, and compliance standards. It includes regular performance reviews and enforcement of service level agreements to maintain consistent service delivery.

Health Safety Compliance

This position ensures all catering operations strictly adhere to SFDA regulations and HACCP standards through regular audits and inspections. It involves coordinating with health authorities and implementing corrective actions for any hygiene or safety violations immediately.

Budget Financial Control

The Catering Manager develops and monitors the annual catering budget, analyzing cost-per-meal metrics to identify savings opportunities. It requires accurate verification of vendor invoices against actual service delivery to prevent overbilling and ensure financial discipline.

Catering Logistics

The role coordinates catering planning and logistics to ensure nutritious meals are available for all shift rotations, including night shifts. It involves working closely with operations supervisors to align dining schedules with production breaks and minimize downtime.

Menu Quality Assurance

This position designs and monitors rotating menus that cater to diverse cultural and dietary needs of the workforce. It includes regular tasting sessions and quality checks to ensure food temperature, portion size, and presentation meet established standards.

Stakeholder Feedback Loop

The Catering Manager implements structured feedback mechanisms to capture employee opinions on food quality and service efficiency. It involves analyzing survey data and taking actionable steps to address common complaints or suggestions for improvement.

Waste Sustainability Management

This position monitors food waste generation and implements strategies to reduce waste in line with SGR's sustainability goals. It includes overseeing proper disposal methods and collaborating with waste management vendors to ensure environmental compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
• Candidates must have 10+ years of experience in catering management, with 3 years in an industrial setting.
• Proven experience in managing large-scale catering budgets and negotiating contracts is essential.
• In-depth knowledge of SFDA regulations, HACCP standards is mandatory.
• Experience in managing food services for 24/7 shift-based workforces is required for this role.
• Fluency in both English and Arabic is necessary for effective vendor and stakeholder communication.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data and operational metrics are required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage third-party vendor relationships effectively.

Preferred / Nice-to-have

• Experience in the mining, oil and gas, or heavy industrial sectors in Saudi Arabia is preferred.
• Certification in Food Safety Management systems such as ISO 22000 or HACCP is advantageous.
• Prior experience in managing remote site catering or large-scale camp operations is desirable.
• Knowledge of sustainable food service practices and waste reduction strategies is a plus.

Success Metrics

• Employee satisfaction scores for catering services remain above 85% in quarterly surveys.
• Catering costs per meal are reduced by 5% through efficient waste management and negotiation.
• Zero major non-conformities are recorded during external SFDA or municipal health inspections.
• Primary catering contracts are renegotiated to include fixed pricing and enhanced service levels.
• A digital feedback system is implemented to provide real-time data on service quality.
• Contingency plans for catering disruptions are tested and proven effective with zero service interruptions.
• Vendor performance reviews are completed quarterly with documented corrective actions for any gaps.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Saudi Gold Refinery welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Hiring decisions are made based on role requirements, skills, experience, and alignment with Saudization and Vision 2030 priorities.