DESCRIPTION

Reporting directly to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Project Lead, the Catering, Recycling & Cleaning Manager will oversee the planning, procurement, and delivery of catering, cleaning, waste management, and recycling services across all competition venues. The role ensures compliance with sustainability objectives, operational standards, and service levels expected at a major international sporting event.
Responsibilities will include developing and delivering venue catering service plans, cleaning strategies, and waste/recycling systems, while ensuring suppliers and contractors align with Glasgow 2026’s sustainability and service requirements. This role will play a pivotal part in supporting the Event Delivery Partner (EDP) in achieving its sustainability, health, and participant experience targets.
The successful candidate will bring extensive experience managing large-scale catering and recycling operations, sourcing and contracting suppliers, and leading teams during live event environments. Strong skills in stakeholder collaboration, contract negotiation, and compliance are essential, alongside a commitment to service quality, sustainability, and value for money.
Working arrangements
The role will commence in the Organising Company’s Glasgow city centre office, with visits required to competition venues to fully deliver the responsibilities of the role. The location for the role will transition to be based at a competition venue as we approach the Games.
The role will be contracted for 40 hours per week, with requirements to be in the office aligned to the Organising Company’s planned working pattern. All travel to your place of work will be at your own cost. During the Games operational period, shift patterns are likely to be required which could include weekends.

EXPERIENCE

• Significant experience managing catering operations for large-scale, multi-venue sporting or public events.
• Proven ability to source, contract, and manage catering, cleaning, and waste suppliers (including local and sustainable providers), balancing quality, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Demonstrable success implementing sustainable catering practices (e.g. reducing food waste, local sourcing, inclusive menu design, dietary compliance).
• Strong track record in food safety compliance, cold chain management, and allergen control.
• Experience leading catering and recycling/cleaning teams during live events, ensuring service excellence under pressure.
• Familiarity with collaborating across venue management, logistics, sustainability, and health & safety teams.

• Lead planning, procurement, and delivery of catering, cleaning, waste management, and recycling services to international event standards.
• Develop venue catering plans for athletes, workforce, VIPs, and spectators, ensuring service is safe, inclusive, and aligned to nutritional and cultural needs.
• Oversee catering logistics, including kitchen/server fit-outs, food storage, cold chain management, and stock distribution across venues.
• Implement sustainability-led catering practices (e.g. sourcing local suppliers, minimising food waste, reusable/compostable packaging).
• Build and deliver venue cleaning plans (Back of House and Front of House), ensuring hygiene standards meet international expectations.
• Design and implement waste and recycling management plans, including bin placement (“bin dot plans”), maximising recycling and minimising landfill, with provision for clinical and medical waste.
• Manage supplier relationships, ensuring food safety, service levels, sustainability, and compliance with health and environmental regulations.
• Lead operational teams during Games-time, ensuring rapid resolution of catering or waste issues, high standards of hygiene, and positive participant and spectator experiences.
• Support post-Games decommissioning, catering close-down, waste recovery, and sustainability reporting.