At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams across multiple schools while ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Company: Join Elior, a people-first business with a mission to enrich lives every day.
- Benefits: Enjoy free meals, flexible working, generous holiday allowance, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at our core; we celebrate every individual.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education catering while building trusted client relationships.
- Qualifications: Proven experience managing multiple sites and strong client management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 33750 - 41250 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Operations Manager with a strong track record of managing multi-site operations and building trusted client relationships? We’re looking for a confident and commercially focused Operations Manager to oversee 19 schools across Colchester, Essex, South London and Enfield, including primary, secondary, SEN and all-through settings. This is a high-profile, geographically diverse role, supported by an experienced operational structure, including Group Manager support across Essex and South London.
You’ll play a key role in leading teams, developing Site Managers, strengthening client relationships and driving consistently high standards across the region.
What you’ll be doing…
- Proactively manage teams in multiple sites.
- Accountable for overseeing recruiting, inducting, training and supporting Site Managers to deliver an efficient, high quality service to Elior UK, our customer and clients.
- Motivating and managing a team within multiple sites.
- Controlling and managing a budget creating a platform for financial growth.
- Ensuring ongoing team communications, including building internal and external relationships, management reporting and client liaison to enable operational excellence, retain business and innovative menu planning.
- Plan, lead and deliver effective mobilisation/demobilisation of contracts, co‑ordinating with relevant support functions.
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday
What can you bring?
- Proven experience of successfully managing multiple sites and teams, with strong external client management skills.
- Experience managing education catering sites, ideally across a mix of primary and secondary schools.
- A strong team player, able to inspire and motivate large teams.
- Previous experience in contract catering, with a strong commercial and operational focus.
Brilliant Work Deserves Brilliant Perks! At Elior, we believe that when you love where you work, it shows. That’s why we make sure our team feels appreciated, supported, and set up for success!
- 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.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
We’re a people-first business with over 10,000 colleagues across the UK, serving everything from stadiums to hospitals, schools to workplaces. Our mission? To enrich lives everywhere, every day. And here’s the best part - 87% of our team say they’re proud to work here! Why? Because we create a place where you’re listened to, trusted, supported, and valued.
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.
Need any support or adjustments during the application process? Just let us know - we’re happy to help!
Operations Manager in Chelmsford employer: Elior Uk
Elior UK is an exceptional employer that values its team members by offering flexible working hours and free meals, making it an ideal workplace for those seeking a balanced lifestyle. With a strong focus on personal and professional development, employees are encouraged to grow within the company while enjoying generous holiday allowances. Join us in a supportive work culture where your contributions truly make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Operations Manager at Elior Uk!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Elior Uk or be willing to refer you for that Operations Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Elior Uk who’s on the lookout for their next Operations Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Operations Manager role at Elior Uk!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Elior Uk. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Elior Uk
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Elior Uk. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
