Hiring and Sponsoring Catering and bar managers (SOC Code 5436)

Catering and Bar Managers, classified under SOC Code 5436, are essential leaders in the hospitality sector who oversee the planning and execution of catering and bar services. Their responsibilities encompass a range of tasks critical to the delivery of quality dining experiences:

• Supervision of Staff: Responsible for managing and directing catering or bar staff to ensure high standards of service.
• Menu Planning: Involves deciding on the range and quality of meals and beverages to be provided or discussing special customer requirements for events.
• Purchasing: Oversees or directs the purchasing of supplies necessary for catering or bar operations.
• Financial Management: Arranges preparation of accounts and ensures that all financial activities adhere to budget limits to prevent wastage and loss.
• Quality Control: Verifies that the quality of food, beverages, and waiting service meets expected standards.
• Compliance: Ensures that kitchen and dining areas are maintained in cleanliness, adhering to statutory health and safety requirements.
• Supply Management: Checks the proper use and accounting of supplies to optimize resource efficiency.

With the demand for excellent catering and bar management in the UK's vibrant hospitality scene, many businesses seek experienced professionals. This guide will assist HR professionals in effectively hiring and sponsoring catering and bar managers under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Catering and bar managers?

SOC Code 5436 refers to catering and bar managers who are responsible for planning and supervising catering or bar services. Their responsibilities can include:

• Planning catering or bar services: Designing menus and beverage offerings suited to customer requirements, particularly for special occasions.
• Supervising staff: Overseeing the work of kitchen and service staff to ensure high standards of food and beverage service.
• Purchasing supplies: Directing the purchasing of ingredients, beverages, and equipment necessary for service.
• Managing accounts: Arranging for the preparation of financial accounts related to catering and bar operations.
• Ensuring quality standards: Verifying that food, beverages, and service meet required quality standards while ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Maintaining cleanliness: Ensuring that kitchen and dining areas are kept clean and sanitary as per statutory requirements.
• Monitoring inventory: Checking that supplies are used efficiently and accounted for to prevent wastage and maintain budget limits.

Catering and bar managers are essential to the hospitality industry, ensuring exceptional dining experiences and upholding quality standards in food service.

Eligibility to Hire Catering and bar managers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Catering and Bar Managers must possess a unique blend of management skills, culinary knowledge, and customer service experience. Candidates should meet the following criteria:

• Experience in Catering and Hospitality: Demonstrated experience in managing catering services or bar operations.
• Supervisory Skills: Proven ability to lead and supervise staff in a busy environment, ensuring high levels of service and team cohesion.
• Knowledge of Food and Beverage: Familiarity with a range of meals and beverages, including dietary restrictions and trends.
• Budget Management: Experience in budgeting, purchasing, and inventory management to control costs and minimize wastage.
• Regulatory Compliance: Understanding of health, safety, and hygiene regulations specific to the catering and hospitality industry.
• Customer Service Skills: Strong interpersonal skills to engage with clients, understand their requirements, and ensure satisfaction.
• Educational Background: While a formal degree in hospitality management or a related field is beneficial, relevant experience and training can also be considered.

Ensure that the job description aligns with SOC Code 5436 and that the candidate’s experience and skills meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Catering and bar managers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Catering and bar managers under SOC Code 5436.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Catering and bar managers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Catering and bar managers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Catering and bar managers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Catering and bar managers applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Catering and bar managers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Catering and bar managers can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Catering and bar managers

Before the Catering and bar managers begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Catering and bar managers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Catering and bar managers holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Catering and bar managers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Catering and bar managers’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Catering and bar managerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Catering and bar managers

Sponsoring Catering and bar managers under SOC Code 5436 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Catering and bar managers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Catering and bar managers under SOC Code 5436 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.