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 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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the foodservice and hospitality industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Compass Group and their operations. Understand their values and how they deliver exceptional customer experiences. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their mission and goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams to success in previous roles. Highlight your ability to drive innovation and improve customer satisfaction – that’s 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, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Compass Group family. Let’s get you that Head of Operations role!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations - Kent
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 experiences that highlight your passion and how it drives you to create exceptional customer experiences.
Be Specific About Your Leadership Experience:We want to hear about your leadership journey! Include specific examples of how you've managed large teams and complex operations, showcasing your ability to inspire and develop others.
Highlight Your Commercial Acumen:Make sure to mention your experience with budget management and revenue generation. We’re looking for someone who can drive financial performance, so share any relevant achievements that demonstrate your commercial skills.
Tailor Your Application to Us:Take a moment to research Compass Group and tailor your application accordingly. Show us how your values align with ours and why you’re the perfect fit for this role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
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. Familiarise yourself with their foodservice models, customer engagement strategies, and any recent innovations they've introduced. 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 a Head of Operations, your leadership style is crucial. Prepare examples that highlight how you've successfully led large teams, fostered collaboration, and driven a culture of continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them while maintaining high standards.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since financial performance is key in this role, come prepared with examples of how you've managed budgets, driven revenue growth, and controlled costs in previous positions. Discuss any innovative strategies you've implemented that resulted in improved financial outcomes, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Engage with Customer Insights
Compass Group values exceptional customer experiences, so be ready to talk about how you've used customer feedback and data to enhance service delivery. Share specific instances where you've implemented changes based on customer insights and the positive impact it had on satisfaction and engagement.
