At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the launch of new Sainsbury's Cafés across the UK with hands-on involvement.
- Company: Join Compass Group, the UK's leading food and support services company.
- Benefits: Enjoy a £35,000 salary, company car, and valuable experience.
- Other info: Travel nationwide and work closely with experienced project managers.
- Why this job: Gain real responsibility and exposure to major operations in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Ideal for graduates, students, or early-career professionals eager to learn.
Location: Liverpool (UK-wide travel required)
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Contract: 6-Month Fixed Term Contract
Benefits: Company car provided
This is an exciting opportunity to join Compass Group, the UK's leading food and support services company, supporting the nationwide rollout of brand-new Sainsbury's Cafés. InStore, part of Compass Group, partners with major UK retailers to deliver high-quality food and café experiences at scale. As part of a defined 6-month summer mobilisation programme, you'll play a hands-on role in launching new café sites across the UK - gaining exposure to live operations, structured project delivery, and senior stakeholders.
About the role
As a Mobilisation Support Lead, you'll work closely with experienced project managers and operational leaders to support the end-to-end opening of multiple café sites. Depending on your background, you may bring:
- A developing skillset and strong desire to learn quickly in a mobilisation environment, or
- Prior experience in multi-site operations, openings, or retail/hospitality management, adding immediate operational value.
No two weeks will look the same - you'll be travelling nationwide, working on live openings, supporting site teams, and helping ensure each café is set up for long-term success. The role forms part of Compass Group's wider growth and mobilisation activity. Following the mobilisation phase, successful candidates may be well-placed to move into an InStore Retail Management role or other operational opportunities, subject to business needs and location availability.
What you'll be doing
- Support the end-to-end mobilisation of new Sainsbury's Café openings across the UK.
- Work as part of a broader mobilisation project team, supporting multiple openings simultaneously.
- Coordinate activity, actions, and timelines to ensure sites are ready to open.
- Support site teams through the opening period and into operational handover.
- Be present on site during key mobilisation and launch phases.
Stakeholder & Team Exposure
- Work alongside Compass Group teams including Operations, HR, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Health & Safety.
- Liaise with suppliers, contractors, and site teams to resolve issues and maintain momentum.
- Communicate confidently with stakeholders at varying levels across the business.
Quality, Safety & Standards
- Support the embedding of food safety, health & safety, and brand standards from day one.
- Help identify risks early and escalate issues appropriately.
- Ensure mobilisation activity aligns with One Retail standards.
Learning, Delivery & Improvement
- Capture learnings from each opening to support future mobilisations.
- Share insights and best practice with operational teams.
- Continue developing your understanding of large-scale retail and hospitality operations.
Who this role suits
This role will suit someone who:
- May be a graduate, student finishing studies, or early-career professional, or an experienced manager seeking a time-bound mobilisation opportunity.
- Is organised, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple workstreams.
- Enjoys fast-paced, hands-on environments.
- Communicates clearly and works effectively with different teams.
- Is flexible, adaptable, and happy to travel nationwide.
- Wants exposure to a major employer with clear operational standards and future opportunities.
Key requirements
- Full UK driving licence.
- Willingness to travel nationwide (including overnight stays).
- Experience or strong interest in hospitality, retail, food, operations, or project-based work.
- A practical, professional, and accountable approach.
What's in it for you?
- £35,000 salary plus company car.
- A defined 6-month mobilisation programme.
- An opportunity that works equally well as a high-value early-career experience, or a focused mobilisation assignment for experienced operators.
- Exposure to Compass Group, a FTSE-listed global organisation.
- Hands-on involvement in high-profile Sainsbury's Café launches.
- Potential progression into InStore Retail Management or wider Compass roles, subject to business needs.
- Experience that delivers clear, long-term career value.
If you're looking for a summer role that goes far beyond a typical temporary position offering real responsibility, national exposure, and the backing of a major organisation this is an opportunity worth exploring.
Mobilisation Support Lead employer: Compass Uk & Ireland
Compass Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where graduates and early-career professionals can thrive. With a competitive salary of £35,000 and a company car, employees benefit from a structured 6-month mobilisation programme that provides hands-on experience in launching new Sainsbury's Cafés across the UK. The company fosters a culture of growth and collaboration, ensuring that team members gain valuable exposure to senior stakeholders and operational standards, paving the way for future career opportunities within a leading FTSE-listed organisation.
