At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the launch of new Sainsbury's Cafés across the UK with hands-on project management.
- Company: Join Compass Group, the UK's leading food and support services company.
- Benefits: Earn £35,000 plus a company car and gain valuable experience.
- Other info: Travel nationwide, work in a dynamic environment, and enjoy clear progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Kick-start your career with real responsibility and exposure to major operations.
- Qualifications: Ideal for graduates or early-career professionals; strong interest in hospitality or retail is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ per year.
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.
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:
- 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 in Saint Helens 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's commitment to employee growth and development, alongside the opportunity for future progression into management roles, makes it an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
