At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the launch of new Sainsbury’s Cafés across the UK with hands-on involvement.
- Company: Join Compass Group, the UK's leading food and support services company.
- Benefits: Earn £40,000 plus a company car and gain valuable experience.
- Other info: Travel nationwide and enjoy potential progression into management roles.
- Why this job: Kick-start your career with real responsibility and exposure to major operations.
- Qualifications: Ideal for graduates, students, or early-career professionals with a passion for hospitality.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Bristol / Newquay (with UK‑wide travel)
Travel to: Penzance, Barnstaple, Hankridge Farm, Melksham
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Contract: 6‑month fixed‑term
Benefits: Company car provided
This is an exciting opportunity to join Compass Group, the UK’s leading food and support services company, supporting the nationwide rollout of brand‑new Sainsbury’s Cafés. InStore, part of Compass Group, partners with major UK retailers to deliver high‑quality food and café experiences at scale. As part of a defined 6‑month summer mobilisation programme, you’ll play a hands‑on role in launching new café sites across the UK — gaining exposure to live operations, structured project delivery, and senior stakeholders. This role is well‑suited to graduates and early‑career professionals seeking a full‑time summer opportunity that delivers genuinely valuable experience, while also appealing to established managers or operators looking for a defined, high‑impact mobilisation role within a major organisation.
About the role
As a Mobilisation Support Lead, you’ll work closely with experienced project managers and operational leaders to support the end‑to‑end opening of multiple café sites. Depending on your background, you may bring:
- A developing skillset and strong desire to learn quickly in a mobilisation environment, or
- Prior experience in multi‑site operations, openings, or retail / hospitality management, adding immediate operational value
No two weeks will look the same — you’ll be travelling nationwide, working on live openings, supporting site teams, and helping ensure each café is set up for long‑term success. The role forms part of Compass Group’s wider growth and mobilisation activity. Following the mobilisation phase, successful candidates may be well‑placed to move into an InStore Retail Management role or other operational opportunities, subject to business needs and location availability.
What you’ll be doing
- Mobilisation & Site Support
- Support the end‑to‑end mobilisation of new Sainsbury’s Café openings across the UK
- Work as part of a broader mobilisation project team, supporting multiple openings simultaneously
- Coordinate activity, actions, and timelines to ensure sites are ready to open
- Support site teams through the opening period and into operational handover
- Be present on site during key mobilisation and launch phases
- Stakeholder & Team Exposure
- Work alongside Compass Group teams including Operations, HR, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Health & Safety
- Liaise with suppliers, contractors, and site teams to resolve issues and maintain momentum
- Communicate confidently with stakeholders at varying levels across the business
- Quality, Safety & Standards
- Support the embedding of food safety, health & safety, and brand standards from day one
- Help identify risks early and elevate issues appropriately
- Ensure mobilisation activity aligns with One Retail standards
- Learning, Delivery & Improvement
- Capture learnings from each opening to support future mobilisations
- Share insights and best practice with operational teams
- Continue developing your understanding of large‑scale retail and hospitality operations
Who this role suits
This role will suit someone who:
- May be a graduate, student finishing studies, or early‑career professional, or an experienced manager seeking a time‑bound mobilisation opportunity
- Is organised, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple workstreams
- Enjoys fast‑paced, hands‑on environments
- Communicates clearly and works effectively with different teams
- Is flexible, adaptable, and happy to travel nationwide
- Wants exposure to a major employer with clear operational standards and future opportunities
Key requirements
- Full UK driving licence
- Willingness to travel nationwide (including overnight stays)
- Experience or strong interest in hospitality, retail, food, operations, or project‑based work
- A practical, professional, and accountable approach
What’s in it for you
- £40,000 salary plus company car
- A defined 6‑month mobilisation programme
- An opportunity that works equally well as:
- A high‑value early‑career experience, or
- A focused mobilisation assignment for experienced operators
- Exposure to Compass Group, a FTSE‑listed global organisation
- Hands‑on involvement in high‑profile Sainsbury’s Café launches
- Potential progression into InStore Retail Management or wider Compass roles, subject to business needs
- Experience that delivers clear, long‑term career value
If you’re looking for a summer role that goes far beyond a typical temporary position offering real responsibility, national exposure, and the backing of a major organisation this is an opportunity worth exploring.
Mobilisation Support Lead in Bristol employer: Chartwells Independent
Compass Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can kick-start your career while playing a pivotal role in the nationwide rollout of Sainsbury’s Cafés. With a competitive salary of £40,000 and a company car, employees benefit from hands-on experience, exposure to senior stakeholders, and opportunities for growth within a FTSE-listed global organisation. The supportive culture encourages learning and development, making it an ideal place for both early-career professionals and experienced managers seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
