At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams across multiple locations in the education sector.
- Company: Join Elior, a diverse and inclusive company that values your unique perspective.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, flexible working, generous holiday allowance, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Field-based role with travel, offering room for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while enjoying a supportive work environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing teams and budgets in contract catering is essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We’re hiring for an experienced Operations Manager to join our Education division, overseeing a high-performing portfolio across Oxford, Swindon, Bournemouth, Southampton, and Portsmouth.
What you’ll be doing…
- Leading, motivating and developing Site Managers and their teams across multiple locations
- Taking full ownership of financial performance, managing budgets and identifying opportunities for growth
- Building strong, trusted relationships with clients, ensuring we consistently deliver on expectations and retain business
- Driving high standards across service, food quality and customer experience
- Supporting recruitment, onboarding, training and ongoing development of Site Managers
- Ensuring effective communication across your sites, creating engaged and aligned teams
- Producing clear management reporting and using insight to drive decision‑making
- Leading the mobilisation and demobilisation of contracts, working closely with central support teams
- Encouraging innovation, including fresh thinking around menu development and service delivery
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday | Field-based role with regular travel across your region
What can you bring?
- Proven experience managing multiple sites and teams within a contract catering environment
- A genuine passion for customer service excellence and delivering high-quality experiences
- Confident communicator, able to build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders
- A natural leader who can inspire, coach and develop teams across dispersed locations
- Strong financial awareness with experience managing budgets and driving performance
- Well‑organised, with the ability to balance competing priorities across a large geographical area
- Experience within education contract catering is highly desirable
Brilliant Work Deserves Brilliant Perks!
- Free, tasty meals – Enjoy tasty, nutritious food on us while you work!
- Flexible working – including part time roles, because life doesn’t run on a 9‑5 schedule.
- Plenty of Time to Unwind – generous holiday allowance of 33 days, with the option to buy more.
- Leave for life’s important moments – whether family, personal or unexpected.
- Give back time – paid volunteering days for the causes you care about.
- Room to grow – career development and learning opportunities for all stages of your career.
- Financial security – pension schemes and life assurance.
- Drive in Style – Enjoy a company car or car allowance
We Celebrate You! At Elior, Diversity and inclusion aren’t just policies, they’re who we are. We know that different perspectives make us stronger, and we’re dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to succeed.
Operations Manager - South East & West in Bournemouth employer: Elior Uk
Elior is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can lead and inspire teams across the South East and West. With a strong focus on employee development, generous benefits including flexible working hours, a substantial holiday allowance, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Elior ensures that every team member feels valued and empowered. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the education sector while enjoying a supportive culture that celebrates your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager - South East & West in Bournemouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend local events, and join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨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 tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it relates to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your leadership skills and any successes you've had in managing teams and budgets.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager - South East & West in Bournemouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing multiple sites and teams, especially in contract catering. We want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for customer service excellence and your ability to build strong relationships. Let us know why you’re the perfect fit for our Education division.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We’re keen on seeing your leadership style! Share examples of how you’ve motivated and developed teams in the past. We love hearing about your successes in inspiring others across different locations.
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’s super easy and straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elior Uk
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the operations of the company and the specific challenges they face in the education sector. Familiarise yourself with their portfolio across Oxford, Swindon, Bournemouth, Southampton, and Portsmouth, and think about how your experience can directly address these.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in leading and developing teams. Share specific examples of how you've motivated Site Managers and improved team performance. Highlight your ability to inspire and coach others, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Since managing budgets and driving financial performance is key, come ready to discuss your experience with financial management. Bring examples of how you've identified growth opportunities and improved profitability in previous roles.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Remember, communication is vital! Practice building rapport by engaging with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their operations and express genuine interest in their challenges. This will show that you’re not just a fit for the role, but also a great cultural match.
