General Manager – Catering
Trispace Limited
Introduction
Trispace Limited is a subsidiary company of Dublin City University which provides a wide range of
sports and catering services on the 85 acre Dublin City University campus, three miles north of Dublin
city centre and a 15-minute drive from Dublin airport. The company is seeking to fill the position of
General Manager – Catering.
Trispace Limited provides an important range of caterings services across eight fixed locations on the
DCU campus and one facility on the Mater Dei campus ranging from full restaurants to cafés. It also
provides catering services to other DCU campus companies, to on campus events such as
conferences and to the general University community. Trispace provides an important element of
what makes DCU a vibrant campus.
Overview of the role
The General Manager provides the vision, innovation, leadership, and business management
necessary for the successful operation of the Trispace catering services and is responsible for all
aspects of catering operations. This includes strategic planning, financial planning, relationship with
the Board of Directors of the company and the management and development of all activities within
Trispace. The General Manager will report to the director of finance of the University or his nominee.
Trispace Limited is a commercial subsidiary of DCU and the General Manager works with the
University and the other subsidiaries to ensure that the business opportunities are maximised to the
benefit of the group as a whole while ensuring that the requirements of the University itself are met.
Principle Responsibilities of the General Manager - Catering
The principle responsibilities of the General Manager - Catering are:
 Prepare the rolling strategic plan in line with the overall University strategic plan
 Prepare annual operational plans
 Oversee the planning, implementation, management and evaluation of Trispace range of
catering services and facilities
 Hands-on effective and efficient implementation of the day-to-day operations of the company
 Continually develop the food and service offering
 Overall financial management of catering operations including the preparation of budgets, key
performance indicators, financial reporting and stewardship, ensuring an effective control
environment.
 Achieve continued revenue growth through innovation in services and product offerings and
marketing initiatives.
 Achieve financial and other targets
 Ensure the quality of the food and service offering is commensurate with the DCU brand.
 Ensure that the requirements of the University and student body are fully met
 Ensure that a customer centred service is provided.
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Provide effective leadership, management and motivation of Trispace catering staff
Liaising with the Board of Directors, ensuring that the Board is kept fully informed of the plans
and performance of catering services.
Maintaining good relations with all stakeholders
Liaising with the relevant University support functions
Work with other University campus companies to maximise business opportunities and
optimise the group financial return
Enhance the profile of Trispace catering services
Ensure that the organization complies with all legislation company and University policies
Risk Management
Promotion of a positive working environment and welfare of staff.
Ensure compliance with legislation and regulatory requirements and University policies.
Ensure food safety systems are robust through compliance with H.A.C.C.P and meeting the
standards of ISO:22000
Relevant Skills/Competencies
The relevant skills/competencies of the ideal candidate will include:
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A minimum of 5 years experience in a senior manager or general manager role of a catering
operation with similar or greater scale and complexity
Proven track record of running a successful commercial catering business
A relevant qualification will be highly advantageous
A strategic planner with the ability to clearly set monitor and achieve goals
A creative and innovative individual capable of develop new and unique ways to improve
catering operations of Trispace and to generate new opportunities
Leadership and personnel skills and ability to inspire and lead the staff and relate to individual
members of staff in a collegial way
Strong customer services skills
Self-starting, an initiative taker and problem-solver
High degree of energy, enthusiasm, and creativity
Adaptable and flexible
Strong negotiation skills
Proven strong administrative skills, attention to detail and ability to multi task and manage
multiple priorities effectively
Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
Effective contract negotiation skills
Ability to build strong effective relationships and partnerships with a broad range of
stakeholders
Informal inquiries to: Mr Ciaran McGivern, Director of Finance, Dublin City University. Tel: +353 (0)1
700 5151 E-mail: ciaran.mcgivern@dcu.ie or Ms Marian Burns, Director of Human Resources, Dublin
City University. Tel: +353 (0)1 7005148 E-mail: marian.burns@dcu.ie
An attractive salary, commensurate with the successful applicant’s experience will be offered to the
post holder.
Closing date:
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Friday 20 July 2012
Application forms are available at:
http://www4.dcu.ie/hr/vacancies/index.shtml and from the Human Resources Department, Dublin City
University, Dublin 9. Tel: +353 (0)1 700 5149 Fax: +353 (0)1 700 5500 E-mail: hr.applications@dcu.ie
Trispace Limited and Dublin City University are equal opportunities employers