At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and motivate teams across schools, ensuring top-notch catering operations.
- Company: Caterlink, a leading education sector catering specialist with over 20 years of experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, generous holiday, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Join a diverse team with great growth opportunities and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering and operational management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Caterlink is the education sector catering specialist. For over 20 years, the Company has delivered fresh food solutions to pupils and staff at Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Colleges across the UK. The company caters more than 1,000,000 meals a week. Our “Fresh Food Policy” is the foundation of our success and growth in the market coupled with a desire to truly deliver on the promises we make to our clients and support our site-based teams.
We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to manage a group of schools, which will be a mix of primary schools, secondary schools and colleges. Previous catering and operational management experience is essential. This is a 52-week role working Monday – Friday.
At Caterlink, we very much believe that people work for people, so we want you to have bags of confidence and credibility, be able to lead and motivate and really develop your teams, bring them along with you and create strong client relationships across your portfolio of schools. Being commercially astute is also essential for this role and in addition to this you will need to be prepared to roll your sleeves up and help the teams when you need to.
We believe that living by our KPIs is key to success - Health & Safety, Retention, Quality and Finance. In addition to this, if you believe that People, Perception, Passion and Pride could also enhance your growth, success and development then this may be the role for you and we would love to hear from you!
Successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure. Salary dependant on experience.
Caterlink strives to always provide a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all our teams where every individual is treated with respect, integrity and has the opportunity to grow and be treated equally and with fairness at all times.
There are many advantages to working for us including:
- Competitive salary plus a performance-related bonus
- Monthly car allowance or company car
- 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays
- You will be eligible to join our Workplace Pension Scheme with Aviva
- Private health care with BUPA
- Fully expensed company laptop + mobile phone
- Virtual GP for you and your family (eligibility rules apply)
- Access to our Employee Discount Platform for savings at supermarkets, cinema, restaurants, holiday discounts, family days out and more!
- Employee Assistance Program and Virtual GP benefits available free of charge
- Opportunity for a blended learning programme including formal qualifications, classroom training, eLearning and on-the-job training
Everyone who joins us is provided with an induction where they learn more about us and enable them to be the best they can be. We invest in development opportunities and are always looking to recruit, train and retain the best people for our own future talent and your own future development.
As our core business is mainly in term time, the school breaks do enable the opportunity to catch up and plan for the next term, which isn’t always a luxury in a business operating 52 weeks of the year.
Caterlink - Operations Manager in Milton Keynes employer: Caterlink
Caterlink is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees are valued and encouraged to grow. With competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and comprehensive benefits including private healthcare and a robust development programme, we empower our Operations Managers to lead with confidence and make a meaningful impact in the education sector. Our commitment to employee well-being and professional growth, combined with the unique opportunity to work within school terms, makes Caterlink a rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Caterlink - Operations Manager in Milton Keynes
✨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 at Caterlink!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Caterlink's values and their Fresh Food Policy. Show us that you understand our mission and how your experience aligns with our goals. Tailor your answers to reflect our commitment to quality and client relationships.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job postings! Be proactive and reach out directly through our website. Express your interest in the Operations Manager role and highlight how your skills can contribute to our success in the education sector.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills! Prepare examples of how you've motivated teams and built strong client relationships in your previous roles. We want to see your passion for developing others and driving results in a school environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Caterlink - Operations Manager in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for fresh food and catering shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our Fresh Food Policy and how you can contribute to delivering top-notch meals to schools.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:Make sure to showcase your experience in leading teams and building strong relationships. We’re all about people working for people, so tell us how you've motivated your teams and created a positive work environment.
Be Commercially Savvy:Don’t forget to mention your commercial acumen! We’re looking for someone who understands the financial side of operations, so share examples of how you've managed budgets or improved profitability in your previous roles.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates from us during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Caterlink
✨Know Your Catering Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your catering and operational management knowledge. Caterlink is all about fresh food solutions, so be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their Fresh Food Policy and share any relevant experiences you've had in similar roles.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Caterlink values strong leadership, so think of examples where you've successfully led a team or motivated staff. Be prepared to talk about how you can develop teams and create strong client relationships across schools.
✨Understand the KPIs
Familiarise yourself with the key performance indicators that are crucial for this role, such as Health & Safety, Retention, Quality, and Finance. Be ready to explain how you've met or exceeded these KPIs in your previous positions.
✨Emphasise People Skills
Since Caterlink believes that people work for people, highlight your interpersonal skills. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to build rapport, treat individuals with respect, and foster an inclusive environment within your teams.
