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- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to deliver fresh, nutritious food in schools.
- Company: Join Aramark, a diverse and inclusive workplace committed to excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and discounts on food.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional growth and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' daily experiences with your passion for food.
- Qualifications: Experience in education catering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 42000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an inspiring and commercially-savvy Group Operations Manager to lead our Secondary Schools portfolio across South Wales. You’ll support Catering Managers, Chefs, and Kitchen Teams to deliver fresh, nutritious food and create an exceptional daily experience for students and staff. You’ll bring strong contract catering experience, a passion for food, and the confidence to drive performance, innovate, and build trusted client relationships. Reporting to the Director of Operations, you’ll shape service standards, lead key projects, and champion a culture of continuous improvement while ensuring operational excellence across all sites. If you’ve got the energy, leadership presence, and operational expertise to elevate our school catering offer — we’d love to hear from you.
What's in it for you:
- Salary of £42,000
- Monday to Friday
- Company pension
- Discounted food on shift
- Free parking
- MyStaff Shop discounts
- Generous Annual Leave, increasing in line with service with the ability to buy extra days
- EAP in house mental health champion
- Full training and ample opportunities to progress across the Aramark estate
Job Responsibilities:
- Proven experience in education contract catering and managing high-volume operations.
- Strong, confident people leadership with the ability to inspire, coach, and develop large operational teams.
- Commercially astute with P&L accountability and a track record of driving profitability.
- Excellent communication and client-relationship skills, able to engage confidently at all levels.
- Passion for food, innovation, and delivering an exceptional student-focused experience.
- High attention to detail with a methodical, structured approach to operations and standards.
- Calm, resilient, and adaptable—able to problem-solve and respond effectively to changing demands.
- Strong understanding of health, safety, and hygiene compliance, ensuring a culture of safety across all sites.
Key Requirements:
- Proven leadership in education contract catering, with experience managing high-volume, multi-site operations.
- Strong commercial acumen, including P&L management and the ability to drive profitability in a low-margin environment.
- Exceptional communication and client-management skills, able to build trust and influence at all levels.
- Passion for food, innovation, and the student experience, bringing fresh ideas and a commitment to service excellence.
- Resilient, detail-focused and adaptable, with the ability to problem-solve, lead change, and maintain high standards of safety and compliance.
About Aramark:
If you are applying for this role and you already work for Aramark, you must notify your line manager before submitting your application. At Aramark UK, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive. As a proud Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and are dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities throughout their career journey. We ensure our recruitment process is accessible, and reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, from application to interview and employment. If you require any accommodations or have any questions, please reach out to our recruitment team – Join us in fostering a workplace where everyone can achieve their full potential. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Locations
Group Operations Manager in Newport, Wales employer: Aramark
Contact Detail:
Aramark Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Operations Manager in Newport, Wales
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and catering sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your passion for food and innovation. This will help you showcase your fit for the Group Operations Manager role and impress the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've inspired teams, driven performance, and tackled challenges in high-volume operations. This will demonstrate your capability to lead and innovate in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to an exceptional student-focused experience.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Operations Manager in Newport, Wales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Group Operations Manager role. Highlight your contract catering experience and any leadership roles you've had, as we want to see how you can inspire and manage teams.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your passion for food and innovation, and explain how your background aligns with our mission at Aramark. Be sure to mention specific examples of how you've driven performance in previous roles.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves engaging with various stakeholders, make sure your application demonstrates your excellent communication skills. Whether it's through your CV or cover letter, let us see how you build relationships and influence others.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aramark
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of contract catering, especially in an educational setting. Understand the key challenges and trends in school catering, and be ready to discuss how you can innovate and improve the student experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've successfully managed large teams. Think about specific situations where you inspired or coached your team to achieve operational excellence and how you handled any challenges.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be ready to talk about your experience with P&L management. Have some figures or examples handy that showcase how you've driven profitability in previous roles, especially in low-margin environments like school catering.
✨Engage with Passion
Let your passion for food and service excellence shine through during the interview. Share your ideas on how to enhance the dining experience for students and staff, and show that you're genuinely excited about the role and its impact.