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- Tasks: Lead and develop teams in a vibrant contract catering environment focused on fresh food.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking, diverse company dedicated to excellence in education catering.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, mileage reimbursement, and fantastic benefits.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team that values fresh food and exceptional service.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-site education contract catering and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Work term time only, allowing for a great work-life balance.
Operations Manager – Education Catering (Surrey)
Salary: £45,000 – £50,000 DOE + Car Allowance + Bonus
Are you ready to apply Make sure you understand all the responsibilities and tasks associated with this role before proceeding.
Full-time | 40 hours per week | 52 weeks per year
Ready to take your career to the next level in a role where you can make a real impact on the future generation\’s food experience?
Our client, a market-leading contract catering company with a passion for transforming school food, is on the hunt for a dynamic Operations Manager to join their growing team. Known for their creativity, innovation, and commitment to excellence in education catering, this is a business that\’s redefining what school meals can be.
As an Operations Manager, you\’ll be responsible for overseeing a portfolio of Primary and Secondary school contracts across the Surrey. Your mission? To ensure that every meal served is not only delicious and on-trend but also delivered with the highest standards of care and service.
What You\’ll Be Doing
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Leading, inspiring and developing a team of site managers to deliver outstanding food and service
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Driving contract performance and ensuring services exceed client and customer expectations
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Monitoring and managing budgets while ensuring operational efficiency and quality aren\’t compromised
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Keeping food quality aligned with current food trends and children\’s preferences
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Playing a key role in client relationship management, retention, and new business development
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Ensuring full compliance with all Health & Safety, food hygiene, and safeguarding procedures
What We\’re Looking For
You\’re already an experienced operator in the education catering sector, with a strong track record of managing multiple sites. You bring:
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A passion for great food and service
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Strong leadership skills with a focus on team development and motivation
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Commercial awareness and the ability to drive performance and profitability
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Excellent communication and client management skills
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A process-driven mindset with the ability to maintain high standards across all operations
Why You\’ll Love This Role
This isn\’t just another job – it\’s a chance to join a company where people come first and progression is part of the package. Here\’s what you can expect:
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Competitive salary, car allowance, and bonus scheme
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A fresh new benefits programme, including private healthcare, enhanced parental leave, and even your birthday off
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Industry-leading learning and development opportunities
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The chance to shape the future of school meals – and the future of a growing business
Please note: All successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, in line with the company\’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
AMRT1_UKCT
Contact Detail:
Cartwheel Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager - Contract Catering
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the education contract catering sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights and potentially refer you to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for fresh food and service excellence during any informal conversations or interviews. Share personal anecdotes that highlight your commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience managing multi-site operations. Be ready to provide specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and improved service delivery in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in contract catering, especially within the education sector. Being knowledgeable about current practices will help you stand out as a candidate who is both informed and passionate.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager - Contract Catering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in multi-site management within education contract catering. Emphasise your leadership skills, passion for fresh food, and any relevant financial monitoring experience.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention specific examples of how you've led teams, improved service quality, or managed client relationships in previous positions.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: Include examples in your application that demonstrate your logical problem-solving abilities. Describe situations where you had to think on your feet and how you successfully resolved challenges.
Highlight Your Team Development Experience: Discuss your approach to mentoring and developing team members. Provide examples of how you've fostered a positive team environment and contributed to the professional growth of others.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cartwheel Recruitment Ltd
✨Show Your Passion for Fresh Food
Make sure to express your genuine love for fresh food during the interview. Share experiences where you've implemented fresh food initiatives or improved service quality in previous roles, especially in the education sector.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your leadership style and how you've successfully led teams in a multi-site environment. Highlight any mentoring or training experiences that illustrate your ability to develop others.
✨Be Client-Focused
Since this role is client-facing, be ready to discuss how you've built and maintained strong client relationships in the past. Use specific examples to demonstrate your communication skills and ability to enhance customer experience.
✨Prepare for Financial Discussions
Brush up on your financial monitoring skills and be prepared to discuss how you've managed budgets or improved financial performance in previous roles. Being able to articulate your financial acumen will be crucial.
