At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations and deliver exceptional food and event experiences at Northumbria University.
- Company: Join Chartwells, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, a leader in hospitality.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, gym access, discounts, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a supportive, inclusive culture await you.
- Why this job: Be a key player in a vibrant university environment and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract catering and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 € per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Operations Manager to join our senior management team at Northumbria University, working in partnership with our client to deliver outstanding food, hospitality and event catering experiences for students, staff and visitors. This is a key strategic role, responsible for operational excellence, commercial performance, customer experience and people leadership across a busy, multi-outlet university campus. If you're passionate about food, love delivering great events and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we'd love to hear from you.
Key responsibilities
- Operational & Compliance Leadership
- Ensure full compliance with food safety, health & safety, brand, legal and contractual standards, maintaining excellent audit results
- Implement and monitor operational standards consistently across all units
- Proactively identify and mitigate operational risks
- Ensure accurate reporting and adherence to company and university policies
- People Leadership
- Lead, support and develop operational teams through clear communication, coaching and visible leadership
- Create a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture
- Manage recruitment, retention, succession planning and absence management
- Develop management capability through regular 1:1s, performance reviews and development plans
- Senior Management Team Contribution
- Act as a key member of the Senior Management Team, contributing to strategy and decision-making
- Collaborate with peers to deliver shared objectives
- Support change initiatives and represent operations confidently with university stakeholders
- Commercial Performance
- Drive sales growth, cost control and labour optimisation
- Analyse financial performance and implement action plans to improve margins
- Support commercial strategies, promotions and events aligned to the university calendar
- Ensure effective stock management, pricing and purchasing controls
- Customer Experience
- Champion a customer-first culture across all outlets
- Use feedback and insight to continuously improve service and offer
- Work closely with university stakeholders to ensure services meet evolving needs
- Lead by example in delivering warm, professional service
About you
You'll be a confident, visible leader with a genuine passion for food, people and service excellence. Comfortable engaging with students and senior stakeholders alike, you'll bring energy, creativity and commercial focus to everything you do.
Essential experience
- Proven experience in contract catering, ideally within a multi-unit environment
- Strong knowledge of food safety, health & safety and legislative compliance
- Demonstrable commercial capability, including budget management and margin improvement
- Excellent people management and leadership skills
- Experience contributing as part of a senior management team
- Clear, confident communication and stakeholder management skills
Desirable
- Experience in a higher education setting
- Multi-site contract catering experience
- Relevant qualification in H&S, management or commercial disciplines
Why join Chartwells?
As part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, you'll be joining a market-leading organisation that values its people, invests in development and is passionate about delivering great food and memorable experiences. We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- Free meals
- Free on-site gym
- Free onsite swimming pool access
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
About Us
As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
Operations Manager - Newcastle in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Chartwells Universities
Chartwells, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees. Located at Northumbria University, we offer a vibrant work culture with comprehensive benefits including free meals, gym access, and wellness classes, alongside robust career growth opportunities through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that values diversity and fosters an inclusive environment, all while delivering outstanding food and hospitality experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager - Newcastle in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or even in person. Let them know you're on the hunt for an Operations Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities at Northumbria University or similar places.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Familiarise yourself with Chartwells and Compass Group's values. When you walk into that interview, you'll impress them with your knowledge and passion for food and hospitality!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Think of examples where you've led teams, improved customer experiences, or driven sales growth. These anecdotes will showcase your skills and make you stand out as a candidate who can thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨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 you're serious about joining the team at Chartwells and contributing to their mission of delivering outstanding experiences.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager - Newcastle in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in contract catering and people leadership, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for food and hospitality shine through in your application. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your love for delivering great events and customer service. We’re all about that passion here at StudySmarter!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the heart of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Universities
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of an Operations Manager in a multi-unit environment. Familiarise yourself with food safety regulations, health and safety standards, and the specific operational challenges faced in a university setting.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a leader, your ability to manage and inspire teams is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, focusing on communication, coaching, and creating a positive team culture. Be ready to discuss your approach to recruitment and retention.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to talk about your experience with budget management and margin improvement. Think of specific instances where you've driven sales growth or optimised costs. This will show that you can contribute to the commercial performance of the business.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since you'll be working closely with university stakeholders, practice how you would communicate effectively with both students and senior management. Highlight your experience in stakeholder management and be ready to discuss how you would champion a customer-first culture.
