Catering Operations Manager

Catering Operations Manager

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

  • Tasks: Lead catering operations, ensuring top-notch food quality and customer service.
  • Company: Join Compass Group, a leader in the catering industry with a focus on growth.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, discounts on travel and groceries, and wellness classes.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in commercial catering and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Diverse workplace culture that values your unique talents and promotes career advancement.

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

Operations ManagerUp to Β£50,000 per annum

Are you a driven and experienced operations professional with a passion for food, service excellence, and people leadership? We\’re seeking an Operations Manager to join our dynamic team and take the lead across a portfolio of catering contracts.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the day-to-day operations across multiple catering sites, 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 maximising 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.

About You:

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

A genuine passion for food, people development, and delivering a best-in-class customer experience.

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!

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Catering Operations Manager employer: Compass Group UK

At Compass Group UK&I, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a comprehensive benefits package that includes a contributory pension scheme, access to digital healthcare, and exclusive travel discounts. Our vibrant work culture fosters personal and professional growth through our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes, while our commitment to diversity ensures that every team member feels valued and empowered. Join us in a role where you can lead innovative catering operations and make a meaningful impact in a supportive environment.
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Contact Detail:

Compass Group UK Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Catering Operations Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the catering industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues 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 values. Understand their catering operations and think about how you can contribute to their goals. Show them you're not just another candidate, but the perfect fit!

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to talk about your experience in managing catering teams and driving innovation. Highlight your successes in previous roles and how they align with what they're looking for.

✨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 their job search!

We think you need these skills to ace Catering Operations Manager

Operational Leadership
Food Quality Management
Customer Service Excellence
Team Management
Strategic Development
Budget Management
Financial Analysis
Compliance with Food Safety Regulations
Customer-Centric Culture
Staff Recruitment and Training
Performance Management
Sustainability Initiatives
Innovation in Catering Services
Client Relationship Management

Some tips for your application 🫑

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Catering Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing catering teams, overseeing operations, and driving customer satisfaction. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about catering and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention any innovative ideas you have for enhancing our catering services.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Whether it's improving food quality or increasing customer satisfaction, we love to see quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact in previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. 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 team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK

✨Know Your Catering Operations

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of catering operations. Understand the key responsibilities of the role, like managing budgets and ensuring high food quality. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led teams in the past.

✨Showcase Your Customer-Centric Approach

This role is all about championing a customer-centric culture. Prepare examples of how you've used customer feedback to improve services or enhance the dining experience. Highlight any innovative ideas you've implemented in previous roles.

✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen

Since financial management is crucial, be prepared to talk about your experience with budgets and achieving financial targets. Bring specific examples of how you've controlled costs and maximised profit margins in your previous positions.

✨Emphasise Team Development Skills

As a Catering Operations Manager, you'll need to recruit and develop staff effectively. Share your strategies for training and motivating teams, and discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment that encourages high performance.

Catering Operations Manager
Compass Group UK
Location: London
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