At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to deliver exceptional food service across multiple sites.
- Company: Join a bold and innovative catering company focused on bringing food and people together.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, personal development, health support, and great wellbeing initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while enjoying a supportive team culture.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in catering management and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for career growth and recognition.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 63000 £ per year.
Great food in the workplace isn’t simply about fuel. It’s about increasing productivity and improving performance; it’s about happy motivated people and inspiring environments. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do – we live to bring food and people together. We are brave, bold and curious adventurers in food and drink. Never shy of being different, always challenging the conventional. Our passionate team of chefs, baristas, servers, nutritionists and much more, love nothing more than creating memorable moments that enrich the everyday.
We are currently recruiting for an Operations Manager to join our team in the Reading/Oxford area. Location: Ideal base is Oxford/Reading – we do need someone who can travel up to Stevenage and down to Dorking on occasion as required. Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 per annum plus company car/car allowance and bonus. Working Pattern: 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday.
We’re looking for an Operations Manager to lead and inspire teams across multiple sites in Oxford/Reading and the M4 Corridor, driving performance, operational excellence, and exceptional food service for our clients and customers. We are looking for an excellent communicator who is innovative, has great attention to detail, and can bring the sparkle to make our operations shine!
What you will be doing:
- Overseeing day-to-day catering operations across a small portfolio of sites within your region to begin.
- Leading, supporting, and developing on-site managers and teams to deliver outstanding service.
- Ensuring compliance with company policies, health & safety, food hygiene, and brand standards.
- Managing financial performance including budget control, forecasting, and cost efficiency.
- Building strong client relationships and ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.
- Supporting new site mobilisations and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.
Our ideal candidate:
- Proven operational experience in catering management, preferably within contract catering, would suit a Senior GM.
- A strong understanding of P&L management, labour control, and compliance standards.
- Inspirational leadership skills – able to motivate and manage remote teams effectively.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
- Strong commercial awareness and a passion for delivering outstanding food & service.
- A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across the region.
What’s in it for you?
Working with Gather and Gather has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we’ve developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.
- Personal Development and Training opportunities.
- Life assurance scheme.
- Pension scheme.
- Holiday allowance.
- Access to Healthcare Support App which includes Annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion.
- Eye care.
- A great wellbeing strategy – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance.
- Family friendly support.
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders.
- A holiday purchase scheme.
- Volunteering days.
- Professional subscriptions.
- Recognition schemes and people awards.
- Long service awards.
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers.
Operations Manager- Monday - Friday in Reading employer: Compass Group
Contact Detail:
Compass Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager- Monday - Friday in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential colleagues or mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Since we’re all about bringing food and people together, think about how your experience aligns with that mission. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve inspired teams or improved operations in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on showcasing your leadership skills and operational expertise, as these are key for the Operations Manager role.
✨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 passionate team. Let’s make those memorable moments happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager- Monday - Friday in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When writing your application, let your love for food and service shine through! We want to see how you can bring that spark to our operations and inspire others.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in catering management. We’re looking for someone who understands P&L management and can lead teams effectively, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your communication reflects that – it’s a key skill we value in an Operations Manager.
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 this exciting opportunity with our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Group
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the operations management role in catering. Familiarise yourself with key concepts like P&L management, compliance standards, and how to drive performance across multiple sites. This knowledge will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about times when you motivated remote teams or improved service delivery. Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how it aligns with the company’s values of being brave, bold, and curious.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since excellent communication is crucial for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses to behavioural questions. This will help you convey your experiences in a concise and impactful way.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Food and Service
The company values individuals who are passionate about food and creating memorable experiences. Be prepared to share why you love working in the catering industry and how you can contribute to enhancing customer satisfaction. Your enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates!