At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations for a Community Supermarket and Free Café, ensuring quality and safety.
- Company: A values-driven charity focused on community support and food services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary based on experience, with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational management and strong team leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced, proactive and values-driven Senior Operations Manager to lead the operational delivery and ongoing development of our food, volunteer and community support services. This is a full-time role with responsibility for overseeing the Community Supermarket and Free Café, together with contracts management, fleet management and wider operational coordination.
The successful candidate will provide strong leadership across multiple teams and workstreams, ensuring services are safe, efficient, compliant and responsive to the needs of the people we support. This role will line manage the Volunteer Manager, Chef and Food Coordinators, while also supporting service improvement, resource management and external partnerships.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and day-to-day operational leadership across the Community Supermarket and Free Café.
- Oversee food service delivery, ensuring high standards of quality, safety, hygiene and customer experience.
- Oversee and coordinate donation activity, ensuring all incoming donations are appropriately recorded, acknowledged, and distributed in line with organisational need and governance requirements.
- Identify opportunities to improve donation income and engagement.
- Line manage and support Volunteer Manager, Chef and Food Coordinators.
- Monitor team KPIs on a regular basis, ensuring performance is tracked, reported, and acted upon where required.
- Develop and implement SMART objectives for teams and services, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and service outcomes.
- Manage contracts, including supplier agreements, service monitoring, renewals and performance review.
- Oversee fleet management, including vehicle use, maintenance, compliance, scheduling and operational safety.
- Maintain robust systems for stock control, procurement and inventory management.
- Monitor budgets, departmental spend and value for money, identifying efficiencies where appropriate.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, safeguarding and organisational policies.
- Carry out regular checks, audits and training to maintain safe and effective service delivery.
- Lead on incident response, complaints handling and operational problem-solving.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, partners and external stakeholders to improve service delivery.
- Produce reports and updates for senior leadership, funders or trustees as required.
- Support service development, business planning and continuous improvement across operations.
Skills and Experience
- Significant experience in operational management, ideally within a charity, community, hospitality or service-delivery setting.
- Proven line management experience, including supervising and developing staff and volunteers.
- Experience of managing contracts, suppliers and service performance.
- Knowledge of fleet management or transport operations would be desirable.
- Strong understanding of food safety, health and safety, compliance and operational standards.
- Experience of budget monitoring and resource management.
- Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships at all levels.
- Ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure.
- A collaborative, compassionate and solutions-focused leadership style.
Senior Operations Manager employer: Happydaysuk
Join a dynamic and values-driven organisation that prioritises community support and employee development. As a Senior Operations Manager, you will benefit from a collaborative work culture that fosters innovation and continuous improvement, alongside opportunities for professional growth in a meaningful role that directly impacts the lives of those we serve. Located in a vibrant community, our organisation offers a supportive environment where your leadership can thrive, ensuring that our services are safe, efficient, and responsive to the needs of the people we support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Operations Manager
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Happydaysuk. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Happydaysuk
Don't be shy about reaching out to Happydaysuk directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Happydaysuk and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Happydaysuk
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
