Operations Manager in London

Operations Manager in London

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 Β£ / year (est.) No home office possible
C

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to deliver exceptional catering experiences across multiple events.
  • Company: Join a leading company in the catering industry with a vibrant culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy casual dress, free food, health perks, and exclusive discounts.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact while growing your career in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: 3-5 years in operations, strong leadership, and excellent communication skills.
  • Other info: Opportunities for professional development and a supportive team atmosphere.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.

We need an Operations Manager who is ready to own the brief, shake things up, and help drive us into our next chapter! You will be responsible for planning, directing and developing catering services across multiple client sites and events, ensuring every experience is slick, seamless and memorable. If you love leading from the front, inspiring teams and combining creativity with commercial thinking, this role has your name on it!

Responsibilities

  • Be the conductor of the catering orchestra, keeping multiple sites and events running smoothly and on beat.
  • Make sure every plate and every interaction hits the "wow" factor and keeps clients coming back for more.
  • Lead, coach and champion chefs, kitchen teams and front-of-house stars β€” bringing out their very best.
  • Set clear goals, give great feedback and inspire high performance through hands-on leadership.
  • Take charge of budgets and financial performance, making smart decisions that drive profitability.
  • Keep food and labour costs in check while spotting clever opportunities to work smarter, not harder.

Qualifications

  • 3-5 years' experience in operations or senior management within contract catering.
  • A natural leader, a foodie at heart β€” people trust you, follow you and grow with you!
  • Highly organised with excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
  • Calm under pressure, proactive and solutions-focused.
  • Commercially astute with a creative flair and strategic mindset.

As part of Compass you will 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.

We ensure you are rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:

  • Casual dress
  • Company events
  • Free food
  • Health & wellbeing programme
  • On-site parking
  • Team socials
  • Contributory pension scheme
  • 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
  • Unwind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes

Operations Manager in London employer: Compass Group PLC

At Compass, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions creativity and leadership in the catering industry. With a vibrant work culture that encourages personal growth and development, our Operations Manager role offers competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and unique perks such as exclusive travel discounts and wellness programmes. Join us to inspire teams, drive innovation, and make every client experience unforgettable while enjoying the support of one of the UK's largest businesses.
C

Contact Detail:

Compass Group PLC 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 people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you showcase why you're the perfect fit for the Operations Manager role.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience and skills make you the ideal candidate. Highlight your leadership style and how you inspire teams to deliver that 'wow' factor in catering services.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team!

We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in London

Leadership
Communication Skills
Relationship-Building
Organisational Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Budget Management
Financial Acumen
Creativity
Strategic Thinking
Proactivity
Calm Under Pressure
Team Coaching
Event Management
Client Relationship Management

Some tips for your application 🫑

Own Your Brief: When you apply, make sure to really own your brief! Show us how you can shake things up and drive our operations forward. Highlight your experience in managing multiple sites and events, and let your passion for creating memorable experiences shine through.

Be a Natural Leader: We want to see your leadership skills in action! Share examples of how you've inspired teams and brought out the best in people. Whether it's coaching chefs or front-of-house staff, let us know how you lead from the front and create a positive environment.

Show Your Commercial Savvy: Don’t forget to showcase your commercial thinking! Talk about how you've managed budgets and made smart decisions that drove profitability. We love candidates who can combine creativity with a strategic mindset, so let us see that side of you!

Apply Through Our Website: Ready to take the plunge? Make sure you apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to get your application and for you to explore more about what we do. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group PLC

✨Know the Brief Inside Out

Before your interview, make sure you fully understand the role of an Operations Manager. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities mentioned in the job description, especially around planning and directing catering services. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach. Think of examples where you've inspired teams or improved performance. Highlight your ability to coach and develop others, as this is crucial for the role. They want to see that you can lead from the front!

✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen

Since the role involves managing budgets and driving profitability, come ready with examples of how you've made smart financial decisions in past roles. Discuss any strategies you've implemented to keep costs in check while still delivering a 'wow' factor.

✨Prepare Questions That Matter

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about their operations, team dynamics, and future goals. This shows you're genuinely interested in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you too.

Operations Manager in London
Compass Group PLC
Location: London

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

C
Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>