At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams across multiple school kitchens to deliver exceptional food and service.
- Company: Join Impact Food Group, a fast-growing school food provider dedicated to student wellbeing.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days paid leave, competitive salary, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel between sites and a focus on fresh, contemporary food.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives through high-quality meals and outstanding service.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-site management within catering and strong people skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Impact Food Group (IFG) is one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers, serving around one million students every day across more than 1,500 schools. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment.
Our brands include Innovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison, and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector. We’re growing fast, and we’re looking for an experienced Operations Manager to oversee a portfolio of schools, supporting our teams and ensuring exceptional food, service, and operational standards. This is a field-based role, so you’ll need to be prepared to travel between sites.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead, motivate, and develop your teams to deliver outstanding results
- Build strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and stakeholders
- Monitor and improve operational performance across your portfolio
- Ensure food quality, hygiene, and compliance standards are consistently met
- Manage financial performance, including budgets, commercial and fixed-price contracts
- Support Chef Managers with recruitment, HR, and day-to-day operations
- Present data, reports, and insights to demonstrate operational success
Who We’re Looking For:
You’re a hands-on, results-driven manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You’ll have:
- Experience as an Area Manager or Operations Manager in contract or retail catering, managing at least 8 sites
- A proven track record of leading multi-site teams, with strong people management skills
- Confidence communicating with everyone—from kitchen teams to senior stakeholders
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively
- Strong proficiency with Office tools, spreadsheets, and presentations
- A passion for fresh, contemporary food and delivering outstanding service
We’re looking for someone who leads by example, motivates teams, and genuinely cares about people and food.
What’s in It For You:
We don’t just offer a job, we offer a career you can be proud of: 25 days paid annual leave plus
Operations Manager in London employer: Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
Impact Food Group is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a commitment to delivering high-quality meals to students, we offer our Operations Managers the opportunity to lead passionate teams across multiple sites in the Reading/Oxford area, ensuring a meaningful impact on student wellbeing. Our competitive benefits, including 25 days of paid annual leave, reflect our dedication to work-life balance and employee satisfaction.
Contact Detail:
Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food service industry and let them know you're on the hunt for an Operations Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Since IFG is all about high-quality, nutritious meals, think about how your experience aligns with their mission. Bring examples of how you've led teams and improved operational performance in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your people skills! During interviews, highlight your ability to motivate and develop teams. Share stories that demonstrate your hands-on approach and how you've built strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us at StudySmarter. Make sure your application reflects your passion for fresh food and outstanding service—it's what we stand for!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing multiple sites and your background in high-quality food catering services. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for food and service, and explain why you’re the perfect fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention your people management skills and how you lead by example.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to improve operational performance and manage budgets. We love numbers, so if you can quantify your successes, even better!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridgwater Academy Quantock Campus
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Impact Food Group's mission and values. Understand their brands and what sets them apart in the school catering sector. This knowledge will help you connect your experience with their goals and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led multi-site teams in the past. Think about challenges you've faced and how you motivated your teams to achieve outstanding results. This is your chance to demonstrate your people management skills and how you can lead by example.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Operational Performance
Since the role involves monitoring and improving operational performance, be prepared to talk about your experience with budgets, compliance standards, and food quality. Bring data or reports from previous roles that highlight your successes in these areas to back up your claims.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Ask about the company's plans for growth, how they support their teams, or what success looks like in this role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
