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- Tasks: Lead catering operations in schools, ensuring exceptional food service and client satisfaction.
- Company: Aspens Services, a market-leading contract caterer focused on school food experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, private healthcare, enhanced parental leave, and a birthday off.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team creating exciting food experiences that fuel young minds.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality or contract catering, strong leadership, and excellent communication skills.
- Other info: Commitment to safeguarding children is essential; enhanced DBS disclosure required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are seeking a highly accomplished and results‑driven Operations Manager to assume responsibility for a specific operational area within one of our busy regions, overseeing the comprehensive performance of our catering operations across a portfolio of Primary and Secondary school contracts. This pivotal role involves leading your team to deliver exceptional food operations while exceeding client expectations.
Responsibilities
- Contract Management & Enhancement: Ensuring all contracted services are adhered to, efficiently delivered, and enhanced to surpass the expectations of clients, customers, and the company.
- Financial Oversight & Control: Reviewing the performance and profitability of each contract, strictly controlling costs, without compromising service quality or delivery standards.
- Culinary Standardisation: Upholding the highest food quality standards, ensuring menus and service delivery align with current high street trends and industry best practices.
- Team Leadership & Development: Managing, supporting, and fostering the professional development, progress, and performance of line‑reporting managers, maintaining high team engagement.
- Business Growth Support: Collaborating with sales to support business retention and proactively assist in obtaining new business opportunities.
- Compliance & Risk Management: Ensuring rigorous compliance with all relevant Health & Safety and Hygiene procedures across all sites.
Requirements
- We require a seasoned professional with current experience in the hospitality or contract catering sector, ideally in a similar multi‑site management role.
- Demonstrated ability to coach and develop teams, instilling a collective commitment to maintaining high service standards and professional conduct.
- Excellent communication skills, capable of leading client meetings, effectively managing client expectations, and navigating complex challenges to achieve positive outcomes.
- Being both service‑focused and process‑led, ensuring all operational standards, procedures, and systems are rigorously maintained.
- Excellent computer skills, strong initiative, and a profound desire for continuous learning and professional achievement.
Aspens Services is a market‑leading contract caterer specialising in school food. We don’t just serve meals‑we create fantastic food experiences that fuel young minds! By blending deep knowledge of the education sector with the latest high‑street food trends, we encourage creativity and excitement in every kitchen. Our commitment to quality care for both clients and children has fueled rapid growth, and we are looking for passionate people like you to join our journey.
Benefits
- Total Rewards Package: Alongside a competitive salary and a car allowance, our comprehensive benefits programme includes:
- Private Healthcare
- Enhanced parental leave
- Your birthday as an additional day of paid leave
Please note: we expect all staff to share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people so an enhanced DBS disclosure will be sought by the company.
Operations Manager in Harrogate employer: Aspens Services Ltd
Contact Detail:
Aspens Services Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Harrogate
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality and catering sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups to meet potential employers and learn about hidden job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to food quality and client satisfaction, so you can showcase how your experience aligns with their goals during the conversation.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've developed teams and improved service standards in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire others.
✨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 your enthusiasm for joining our team and contributing to our mission of creating fantastic food experiences.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Harrogate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in hospitality or contract catering, and showcase how you've led teams and managed contracts effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've exceeded client expectations and improved operational performance in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your team leadership abilities shine through. Mention any coaching or development initiatives you've implemented, and how they contributed to high team engagement and service standards.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with StudySmarter.
How to prepare for a job interview at Aspens Services Ltd
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of operations management in the catering sector. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in school food services and be ready to discuss how you can enhance client satisfaction while maintaining high standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in team leadership and development. Think about times when you've successfully coached a team or improved performance. This will demonstrate your ability to manage and inspire others effectively.
✨Be Financially Savvy
Brush up on your financial oversight skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed budgets and controlled costs in previous roles. Highlight any specific achievements related to improving profitability without compromising service quality.
✨Emphasise Compliance and Safety
Understand the importance of Health & Safety and Hygiene procedures in the catering industry. Be ready to talk about your experience ensuring compliance across multiple sites and how you’ve tackled challenges in this area.