Head of central operations

The Wondefield Group has recently been purchased by Zensho Holdings, the leading food service company in Japan with a market cap of $5.5b and whose aim is to become the worlds largest food company, a position from which we can eradicate hunger and poverty from around the globe. We operate restaurants, factories, and thousands of sushi kiosks and have recently built a successful cut fruit business, Snowfruit. Combining this with the three businesses previously owned by Zensho, AFC, Sushi Circle and Sushi Take, results in annual sales of $2.5b and Ebitda in excess of $140m a year with an ambitious growth trajectory.

Our Purpose:

We Believe in Better Food For Everyone, The Japanese Way…

We continue to capitalise on consumer trends, spearheading category growth by bringing our proposition to more people around the world across more channels, in more locations, on more occasions and in more innovative ways. We are committed to purposeful progress and profit for the benefit of our people, our communities and our planet and we have a clear ESG strategy that delivers progress against nine UN sustainability development goals.

Overview of the role:

The Head of Central Operations is responsible for the UK operating plan, supporting the delivery of all projects within the Central Support team, ensuring alignment, efficiency, and successful execution of key initiatives across the business. Working closely with multiple departments—including Commercial, Marketing, Finance, Operations, People, IT, and Supply Chain—you will be the central point of coordination for business-wide projects, ensuring clarity, accountability, and progress.

3 Best Things about the job

• You will play a pivotal role in driving cross-functional collaboration, ensuring projects are executed smoothly and efficiently.
• You will work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, where no two days are the same.
• You will have the opportunity to influence business-wide improvements, driving innovation and operational excellence.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead and manage the planning, execution, and delivery of key projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within scope, and aligned with business objectives.
• Develop and implement effective project management frameworks and methodologies to support business growth and operational excellence.
• Maintain clear and effective communication between the Support Team, Franchisees, and Operations teams, ensuring alignment on project objectives, priorities, and key milestones.
• Co-ordinate and oversee the execution of initiatives driven by the Support Team, including promotions, campaigns, audits, training, and process improvement projects.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of projects, using data and insights to identify opportunities for improvement and optimisation.
• Establish and implement best practices for project management, ensuring consistency, compliance, and high-quality execution across all initiatives.
• Identify and lead process improvement initiatives, leveraging technology, automation, and innovation to enhance efficiency, productivity, and quality.
• Collaborate with the Operations Directors and Senior Leadership Team to develop and execute strategic projects that support business growth and operational excellence.
• Provide regular project reports and updates to the Chief Operating Officer and senior stakeholders, outlining progress, challenges, and recommendations.
• Manage project budgets and resources, ensuring cost-effectiveness and value for money while delivering high-impact results.
• Coach and mentor project teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and excellence in project delivery.

Key Measures of success:

• The level of satisfaction and engagement of the Franchisees and the Support Team departments with the Operational Communication, Co-Ordination and Process Improvement function.
• The quality and timeliness of the communication and co-ordination between the Support Team and other departments.
• The impact and efficiency of the activities driven into sites by the Support Team departments.
• The adoption and compliance of operational best practices and standards across the network.
• Project Delivery: Successful completion of projects within agreed timelines, scope, and budget.
• Operational Efficiency: Measurable improvements in processes and coordination.
• Stakeholder Satisfaction: Positive feedback from internal teams on collaboration and project outcomes

What you’ll need:

• You have excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• You have strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with a data-driven approach to operational management.
• You have a passion for innovation and continuous improvement, with a track record of delivering operational excellence.
• You have a strategic mindset and a vision for operational growth and development.
• Proven experience in Operations & Project Management within a multi-site retail, hospitality, or food service business.
• Strong organisational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

What’s in it for you?

• We’re committed to building inclusive Teams and giving our People the opportunity to grow their careers alongside us.
• Annual bonus as a % of salary.
• Group Personal Pension: 4% of basic monthly salary (matched by company)
• Group Income Protection Scheme: up to 75% of your basic monthly salary after 26 weeks’ continuous absence from work due to serious injury or illness
• Private Medical Cash Plan: including dental, GP access, physio therapy, money back on contact lenses and 24/7 Employee Assistance Line
• 50% off your food every time you dine with us for you and 3 friends