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- Tasks: Lead operations across multiple catering sites, ensuring excellence and client satisfaction.
- Company: Dynamic catering company focused on food, service, and people development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, bonuses, private healthcare, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the food industry while leading and inspiring teams.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-site operations and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Join a diverse team that values your unique talents and offers career growth.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 58000 £ per year.
Are you a driven and experienced operations professional with a passion for food, service excellence, and people's leadership? We’re seeking an Operations Manager to join our dynamic team and take the lead across a portfolio of catering contracts throughout Cambridge and surrounding areas.
As Operations Manager, you will oversee a diverse range of catering contracts, ensuring operational excellence, financial performance, and client satisfaction. You’ll lead a team of site managers, inspire frontline teams, and build trusted relationships with our clients.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead the day-to-day operations across multiple catering sites throughout the Southwest, ensuring consistent service excellence.
- Support and mentor a team of Unit Managers to deliver high standards across all locations.
- Develop and inspire high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and collaboration.
- Oversee recruitment across your portfolio, ensuring the right people are hired at the right time.
- Build and maintain strong, proactive client relationships across your geographic area, acting as a trusted partner.
- Ensure full contract compliance while maximizing profitability, enhancing client satisfaction, and driving retention.
- Manage financial performance including budget planning, forecasting, and effective cost control measures.
- Promote exceptional food quality, uphold safety standards, and drive continuous innovation in service delivery.
- Lead the mobilisation of new contracts and contribute to tender processes and bid development as required.
- Champion best practices across HR, health & safety, compliance, and sustainability throughout all operations.
- Demonstrated experience in a mid-level, multi-site operations role within the contract catering or wider hospitality sector.
- Strong commercial focus with a solid track record in managing P&L performance across multiple contracts.
- Confident and effective leader with outstanding communication and team-building skills.
- Skilled in managing challenging conversations with professionalism, empathy, and clarity.
- Analytical and commercially astute, using data insights to make informed, strategic decisions.
- Flexible and mobile, with the ability to travel frequently throughout South West England as required.
- A genuine passion for food, people development, and delivering a best-in-class customer experience.
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:
- 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.
- Regular emails filled with the best discounts and savings available.
- Receive Wow Points 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.
- Contributory pension scheme.
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways programme.
- Compass exclusive offers on Perks At Work.
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 in Cambridge employer: Compass Group UK
Contact Detail:
Compass Group UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend local events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨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 tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. This will help you articulate your experience and skills confidently when it’s your turn to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and really keen on joining our awesome team!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing multiple sites and your passion for food and service excellence. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and improved client satisfaction in previous positions.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As an Operations Manager, leadership is key. In your application, emphasise your ability to inspire and develop teams. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their people management skills and how they’ve built strong relationships.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our dynamic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's operations and their approach to catering. Familiarise yourself with their key contracts and any recent news or changes in the industry. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their operational goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As an Operations Manager, your leadership skills are crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in challenging situations. Highlight your ability to inspire and develop others, as well as how you foster a culture of accountability and collaboration.
✨Prepare for Financial Discussions
Since managing P&L performance is a key responsibility, be ready to discuss your experience with budget planning and financial forecasting. Bring specific examples of how you've maximised profitability and improved financial performance in previous roles. This will demonstrate your commercial acumen.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their operations and client relationships. This not only shows your interest but also allows you to showcase your communication skills, which are vital for the role.
