At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations and growth for a new catering marketplace in London.
- Company: Join heycater!, the top B2B catering platform expanding into the UK.
- Benefits: Direct impact from day one, career growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Work closely with leadership and enjoy a high-trust, high-impact culture.
- Why this job: Be a founding team member and shape the future of our London market.
- Qualifications: 2-3 years in food or events, strong network, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
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Company Description
heycater! is the leading B2B catering marketplace in the DACH region, connecting companies with the best catering and event food providers for every occasion. After establishing market leadership in Germany and Austria, we are now launching in the UK. This is a founding team hire in a new market, one of the most impactful roles we will make this year.
How we work:
- High Trust, High Conflict: we trust each other and debate openly.
- Obsessively High Standards: quality is not a nice-to-have.
- Emotionally Intense: we are engaged, honest, and present.
- Ridiculously Clear: expectations, feedback, and goals are transparent.
Job Description
You will be the operational and commercial backbone of our London market, working directly with the Head of UK to build, run, and grow our business from the ground up. You manage both sides of our marketplace: the catering partners we work with, and the B2B clients we serve. You ensure orders run seamlessly, partners are well-managed, and clients feel taken care of. You also identify opportunities and support growth actively. This role is right for someone who already knows the London food and events world, thrives with ownership, and does not need a full support structure to get things done.
What You'll Do:
- Partner & Supply Operations: Onboard, manage, and develop relationships with London-based catering and event food partners. Ensure quality, reliability, and smooth execution of every order end-to-end. Be the first point of contact when issues need solving fast.
- Client & Account Management: Own B2B client relationships from onboarding through to day-to-day account care. Proactively support retention, upselling, and re-engagement of existing accounts. Translate client needs into operational reality, working closely with our partner network.
- Growth & Sales Support: Support the Head of UK in identifying and approaching new B2B prospects. Represent heycater! through your network, at industry events, and in outreach. Help build the London market presence.
- Operations & Process: Manage and document operational workflows as we scale. Flag issues early, solve problems pragmatically, and continuously improve how we operate.
Qualifications Required:
- 2-3 years of experience in the food, catering, or events industry in London.
- A real network in the London catering and corporate events space.
- Strong operational instincts: manage complexity, own delivery quality, keep multiple workstreams moving.
- Commercial awareness: understand clients, support sales conversations, care about revenue.
- Highly autonomous: comfortable being one of two people in a new market.
- Excellent communicator in writing, on calls, and in person.
- Based in London or willing to be on-site regularly.
- Native or fluent English.
Nice to Have:
- Experience on a marketplace or platform (two-sided business model).
- Previous B2B account management or sales experience.
- Familiarity with CRM tools in a startup or scale-up environment.
Additional Information
Why This Role? Why us?
- Real impact from day one. You are hire #1 in a new market. What you build here is visible, measurable, and yours.
- Direct line to leadership. You report directly to the Head of UK, with close ties to our founding team in Berlin.
- Build, not maintain. This is a founding role. You shape processes, partnerships, and how we operate, not just execute them.
- Path to grow with us. As the UK team scales, so does your role. Strong performers will have the opportunity to lead.
Our Hiring Process:
- Intro call.
- Second conversation with the Hiring Manager.
- Third conversation with the team.
- Trial task (a few hours, on-site or remote).
We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, religion, origin, or personal identity. Interested? Join us. Let's talk!
Operations & Growth Manager, London, UK employer: heycater!
heycater! offers an exciting opportunity for the Founding London Ops & Growth Leader to thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment. With a focus on autonomy and impactful work, employees benefit from a strong network within London's vibrant catering scene, fostering both personal and professional growth. Join us to be part of a pioneering team that values collaboration and innovation, ensuring your contributions are recognised and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations & Growth Manager, London, UK
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the London food and events scene. Attend industry events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to potential contacts. You never know who might help you land that Operations & Growth Manager role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your knowledge! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or at networking events, share insights about the catering market and trends in London. This will demonstrate your expertise and passion for the industry, making you a standout candidate.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see an opportunity to improve something in the catering space, whether it’s a process or a partnership, don’t hesitate to bring it up. Showing initiative can really impress potential employers and highlight your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining heycater! and being part of our exciting journey in the UK market.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations & Growth Manager, London, UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food and Events:When you're writing your application, let your love for the London food and events scene shine through. We want to see that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about making every catering experience exceptional.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate straightforward communication. Make sure your application is easy to read and gets straight to the point. Highlight your relevant experience and skills without fluff – we want to know how you can contribute to our team!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific requirements of the Operations & Growth Manager role. Show us how your background aligns with what we’re looking for in this new market.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from our team. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining us at heycater!
How to prepare for a job interview at heycater!
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the London catering and events scene. Familiarise yourself with key players, trends, and challenges. This knowledge will not only impress but also help you demonstrate your understanding of the role's requirements.
✨Showcase Your Autonomy
Since this role requires a high level of independence, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed projects or tasks without much support. Highlight how you took ownership and drove results.
✨Communicate Clearly
Given the emphasis on clear communication in the job description, practice articulating your thoughts concisely. Be ready to discuss how you’ve effectively communicated with clients and partners in previous roles, especially in high-pressure situations.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think of specific instances where you identified issues and implemented solutions, particularly in operations or client management. This will showcase your operational instincts and ability to handle complexity.
