At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop multiple locations, ensuring exceptional client experiences and operational excellence.
- Company: Join Houston & Hawkes, an award-winning independent caterer with a passion for food and hospitality.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private healthcare, and ongoing leadership development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a certified B Corp that values sustainability and employee engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-profile role while working with a creative and dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Proven multi-site experience in hospitality and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Reporting to our Commercial Director, you will take overall responsibility for the performance and continued development of your locations, leading and developing our Location Managers while delivering exceptional client and customer experiences, strong commercial performance and consistently high operational standards.
- Lead the overall financial, operational and service performance of your London locations.
- Drive continuous improvement across food, hospitality and service, bringing innovation and flair to each location within agreed commercial and contractual frameworks.
- Manage budgets, forecasting, labour controls, cost efficiencies and financial reporting, ensuring agreed targets are achieved.
- Build and maintain trusted client relationships, ensuring expectations are consistently met and developed throughout the life of each contract.
- Lead regular client meetings and strategic reviews, covering financial performance, customer feedback, innovation, marketing and future development.
- Inspire, lead and develop Location Managers, providing strong leadership, coaching and support to create engaged and high-performing teams.
- Champion employee engagement, training, development and succession planning, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and high performance.
- Act as a senior ambassador for Houston & Hawkes, building strong partnerships with clients and ensuring Location Managers and their teams remain client and customer focused.
- Continuously identify opportunities to enhance customer experience, increase sales and improve operational performance.
- Ensure the highest standards of quality, presentation, customer service, food safety, health & safety and environmental compliance across all locations.
Houston & Hawkes is looking for an experienced and commercially driven Operations Manager to lead a portfolio of prestigious catering and hospitality operations across London.
- This is a high-profile leadership opportunity for an accomplished multi-site operator who combines commercial strength with exceptional people leadership, outstanding client relationships and a genuine passion for food and hospitality.,
- A confident and commercially astute hospitality leader with proven multi-site experience within contract catering, workplace dining, premium corporate hospitality or a related sector.
- Proven experience leading and developing Location Managers and high-performing teams across multiple locations.
- Strong commercial and financial management capability, with confidence managing budgets, forecasting and operational performance.
- Exceptional client relationship and stakeholder management skills, alongside a strong background in people development, engagement and performance management.
- An inspirational, visible and approachable leader who is highly organised, resilient and passionate about exceptional food, hospitality and customer experience.
Alongside the opportunity to lead a prestigious London portfolio, you'll be joining a business that genuinely invests in its people, celebrates success and creates opportunities to develop.
- 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays
- Your birthday off every year
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Contributory pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- CODE Hospitality membership, giving you access to one of the UK's leading hospitality communities
- Foodie Socials - bringing our teams together to share new concepts, seasonal food and drink ideas and the creativity happening across Houston & Hawkes
- Private healthcare
- Ongoing learning, leadership development and genuine opportunities for career progression
- Our Summer Awards Party - celebrating the people, achievements and successes across Houston & Hawkes
- An unforgettable Christmas Party at one of London's outstanding venues - bringing the whole business together to celebrate the year in true Houston & Hawkes style, Houston & Hawkes is an award-winning independent caterer creating vibrant, creative and exceptional food and hospitality experiences across some of the UK's most prestigious client sites.
- We're a Certified B Corp, recipient of the King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2026 and proud to be ranked No. 14 in The Caterer's Best Places to Work in Hospitality.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Operations Manager - London in City of Westminster employer: Houston & Hawkes
Houston & Hawkes is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Central London where creativity and passion for food thrive. Employees benefit from ongoing professional development opportunities, competitive remuneration, and a supportive team environment that values exceptional customer service and innovation. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that takes pride in delivering premium experiences while enjoying the unique advantages of working in one of the world's most exciting cities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager - London in City of Westminster
✨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 Houston & Hawkes. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Houston & Hawkes
Don't be shy about reaching out to Houston & Hawkes 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 Operations Manager - London in City of Westminster
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 Houston & Hawkes 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 Houston & Hawkes
✨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!
