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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic catering operation, ensuring exceptional service and financial performance.
- Company: Join Compass Group UK & Ireland, a leader in the catering industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £52,500, with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving performance and enhancing customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior management within a multi-site operational environment.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and thrive in a culture that values your unique talents.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
Role: Operations Manager
Location: London
Salary: Up to £52,500 per annum, depending on experience
5 days over 7, with hours to be adjusted in line with business needs.
Join Compass Group UK & Ireland as our next Operations Manager. You’ll oversee a large, fast-paced campus operation with 12 outlets, leading a talented management team to deliver exceptional service, strong financial performance, and outstanding client satisfaction.
This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced operational leader who thrives in a commercial, customer-focused environment and enjoys building strong relationships while driving performance and growth.
About the Role
As Operations Manager, you’ll be responsible for the strategic and day-to-day delivery of services across the Heathrow campus. You’ll ensure all outlets meet contractual, financial, and service standards while identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, quality, and profitability.
- Lead performance and growth across all outlets, developing long-term plans that strengthen client partnerships and expand service offerings.
- Partner with sales and marketing teams to create compelling, commercially sound proposals and ensure operational excellence in every service agreement.
- Monitor performance through data analysis, customer feedback, and financial reporting, taking proactive steps to improve results.
- Manage budgets and costs, ensuring food, labour, and consumable costs are effectively controlled and aligned with Compass standards.
- Champion health, safety, and compliance, embedding a strong safety-first culture and ensuring adherence to HACCP, risk assessments, and other policies.
- Lead and develop people, coaching and motivating your management team to reach their full potential while fostering collaboration and accountability across the campus.
- Promote innovation and service improvement, implementing initiatives that enhance customer experience and strengthen Eurest’s position as a trusted catering partner.
About You
You’ll be an experienced operational leader with a strong commercial mindset and a passion for delivering excellence. You understand how to balance client relationships, financial performance, and team leadership to achieve outstanding results.
Essential skills and experience:
- Proven senior management experience within a large, multi-site or complex operational environment.
- Demonstrated success in leading and inspiring teams to deliver against financial and performance targets.
- Experience in retail and hospitality.
- Experience managing client relationships at a senior level and developing long-term partnerships.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to manage budgets, costs, and service delivery effectively.
- Experience implementing change and improvement programmes that deliver measurable benefits.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
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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Operations Manager (Catering) employer: Compass Group UK
Contact Detail:
Compass Group UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager (Catering)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the catering and hospitality industry, especially those who work at Compass Group. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their operations and think of ways you can contribute to their success. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who’s genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Operations Manager. Highlight your leadership skills and any successful projects you've led that improved efficiency or client satisfaction.
✨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 Compass Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager (Catering)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Operations Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience, especially in multi-site operations, and any achievements in financial performance or client relationship management.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your commercial mindset and any innovative ideas you have for enhancing service delivery.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and drive performance. Use metrics where possible to show how you’ve positively impacted previous operations.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly 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 team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group UK
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the operations of Compass Group UK & Ireland. Familiarise yourself with their catering services, especially in a multi-site environment like Heathrow. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their operational needs and how you can enhance efficiency and profitability.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As an Operations Manager, your ability to lead and inspire teams is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully motivated your team in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where your leadership directly contributed to achieving financial targets or improving service delivery.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Brush up on your financial management skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed budgets and costs effectively in past roles. Use concrete examples to illustrate your understanding of balancing client relationships with financial performance, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly in catering or hospitality, and how you implemented change or improvement programmes. This will show your proactive approach and readiness to drive performance.
