At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a large foodservice operation, ensuring high standards and exceptional customer experiences.
- Company: Join Compass Group, the UK's leading provider of catering and support services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and real career development opportunities.
- Other info: Shape the future of foodservice and inspire teams to deliver outstanding results.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a dynamic environment while driving innovation and excellence.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in catering or hospitality with strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About Us
Compass Group is the leading provider of catering and support services. We believe in the power of food and drink to bring people together, whether in a restaurant, café, workplace, or educational environment, inspiring people to perform at their best every day. Our food is crafted onsite by passionate teams using the finest ingredients. We know that balanced, plant-focused, natural, fresh, and sustainable menus help create positive experiences for our customers and clients alike. We provide exceptional food, create welcoming spaces, and develop engaging environments that inspire, motivate, and unite communities.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Head of Operations to lead a large and diverse foodservice operation across a single, high-profile site with multiple outlets, retail units, hospitality spaces, and catering services. This is a key leadership role responsible for delivering operational excellence, exceptional customer experiences, strong financial performance, and a culture of continuous improvement. You will provide strategic direction and day-to-day leadership for a significant team, ensuring all outlets operate efficiently, safely, and in line with both client and Compass objectives. The successful candidate will be a visible and inspiring leader, capable of balancing operational detail with strategic thinking while building strong relationships with clients, customers, and colleagues.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the overall operation of a large, multi-outlet foodservice and hospitality environment, ensuring consistently high standards across all areas.
- Build and maintain a positive and collaborative relationship with the client, acting as a trusted partner and key point of contact.
- Drive a culture focused on customer service excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure all outlets are appropriately resourced, supported, and managed to deliver outstanding service and operational efficiency.
- Lead, coach, and develop a large management and frontline team, creating clear accountability and opportunities for growth.
- Deliver agreed financial targets, including revenue growth, profitability, labour management, and cost control.
- Analyse performance data and customer insight to identify opportunities to improve participation, customer satisfaction, and commercial performance.
- Ensure retail pricing strategies are implemented effectively and in line with company and client requirements.
- Monitor customer feedback and satisfaction surveys, implementing meaningful action plans to enhance the customer experience.
- Drive innovation across food, retail, hospitality, and service delivery, introducing new concepts and initiatives that add value for customers and clients.
- Oversee the planning and delivery of hospitality and events activity where applicable.
- Ensure full compliance with all Health & Safety, Food Safety, Environmental, HR, and company policies and procedures.
- Promote a positive health, safety, and wellbeing culture across the site.
About You
You will be an experienced operational leader with a proven track record of managing complex, high-volume catering, hospitality, retail, or foodservice operations. You will combine strong commercial awareness with exceptional leadership skills and a genuine passion for delivering outstanding customer experiences.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Significant senior operational leadership experience within catering, hospitality, retail, foodservice, or a related environment.
- Proven success managing a large, complex operation with multiple outlets and service offers on a single site.
- Strong people leadership skills with experience managing and developing large teams through direct and indirect reports.
- Excellent client relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, with responsibility for budget management, revenue generation, and cost control.
- Experience growing retail sales and enhancing customer engagement through innovative food and service concepts.
- Ability to use customer insight, operational data, and technology to drive decision-making and improve performance.
- Excellent communication, influencing, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong understanding of Health & Safety, Food Safety, and operational compliance requirements.
- Passion for food, hospitality, and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Why Join Us
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a flagship operation and make a real impact within one of the UK's leading food and support services organisations. You'll have the opportunity to shape the customer experience, develop talented teams, drive innovation, and deliver outstanding results within a dynamic and fast-paced environment. In return, we offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits package, and genuine opportunities for career development and progression.
Head of Operations - Kent in Harrietsham employer: Compass Group
Compass Group is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation in the foodservice industry. As the Head of Operations in Kent, you will lead a diverse team in a high-profile environment, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development, all while enjoying a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Join us to make a meaningful impact and inspire excellence in customer experiences across our multiple outlets.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations - Kent in Harrietsham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨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 stand out as someone who truly gets what they're about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've led teams to success, especially in high-pressure environments. We want to see that you can inspire and motivate others!
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our team at Compass Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations - Kent in Harrietsham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food and Hospitality:When writing your application, let your love for food and hospitality shine through! Share specific examples of how you've created exceptional customer experiences in the past. We want to see that you're not just qualified, but genuinely excited about this industry.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Head of Operations, strong leadership is key. Make sure to detail your experience managing large teams and how you've developed talent in previous roles. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and motivate others, so don’t hold back on showcasing your leadership style!
Be Data-Driven:We love numbers! In your application, mention how you've used performance data and customer insights to drive improvements in your previous roles. This shows us that you can balance operational detail with strategic thinking, which is crucial for this position.
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 gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture and values while you’re at it!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Compass Group's operations and values. Understand their approach to foodservice and hospitality, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission of delivering exceptional customer experiences.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership skills, especially in managing large teams. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a culture of continuous improvement and customer service excellence in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Brush up on your financial management skills. Be prepared to talk about how you've successfully managed budgets, driven revenue growth, and controlled costs in past operations. Use specific metrics to illustrate your success.
✨Engage with Client Relationships
Think of instances where you've built strong relationships with clients or stakeholders. Compass Group values collaboration, so share how you've acted as a trusted partner and how you can bring that same energy to their team.
