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- Tasks: Manage and inspire teams while supporting food operations across multiple sites.
- Company: Join IFG, a fast-growing education catering company with a social impact agenda.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus potential, free meals, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by feeding children better food in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience managing multiple sites and a passion for food and service.
- Other info: Opportunities for free qualifications and discounts at over 850 retailers.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 56000 £ per year.
Welcome to IFG, we are one of the fastest growing education catering companies in the country and were recently awarded Education Caterer of the year at the Foodservice Catey Awards. Are you an experienced contract catering Operations Support Manager who still likes to be involved with food? Do you want to be part of a growing business with an industry-leading social impact agenda? We want awesome people to help us feed more children better food.
The role covers Maidstone, Dartford, Tunbridge Wells & surrounding areas. Working days are Monday to Friday with shifts of 45 hours per week for 52 weeks per year (25 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays). Pay details include £40,000 per year plus a car allowance of £3,840 per year (paid monthly). Benefits include bonus potential of up to 10% (discretionary) of salary based on performance, free meals on shift, uniform, pension, and other great company benefits.
Due to continued business growth, an exciting opportunity has arisen for experienced Operations Support Managers to join our team. You will support the operations manager across their portfolio of sites, requiring multisite management experience, a passion for food and service, and craft skills to support in the kitchen when needed.
Can you:
- Manage, inspire, and engage the teams?
- Understand, track, and manage the schools’ restaurant profit contribution to the business, being conscious of our food and service offering and client expectations?
- Meet with clients and stakeholders to build effective relationships, gain trust, and drive our shared goal of feeding more students better food?
You will have managed at least 4 sites, guiding the chef managers with the day-to-day running of the site as well as building excellent client relationships. You should be a chef by trade and still be happy to be in the kitchen when needed. You will be comfortable conversing at all levels, from the kitchen to the board room. Additionally, you will be self-motivated, resilient, and highly organised, with an understanding of how to prioritise effectively. Proficiency in the Office suite is required, including producing spreadsheets and presentations to demonstrate performance.
We’ll give you a place to grow and a career to be proud of. There are loads of free qualifications and career development opportunities available, along with a staff discount scheme at over 850 retailers. We also run monthly opportunities for the best teams to win shopping vouchers.
If you think you’ve got what it takes, and the times above suit you, we’d love to hear from you! An interview and kitchen visit will be required for this role. IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children, and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check, which IFG will pay for. We are a committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail within your application. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.
Operations Support Manager in Maidstone employer: Impact Food Group
Contact Detail:
Impact Food Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Support Manager in Maidstone
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and education sectors. Attend industry events or local meet-ups to chat with people who might know about openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research IFG and understand their mission to feed children better food. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your kitchen skills! If you get a chance to visit the kitchen during the interview, don’t hesitate to demonstrate your passion for food. Share your ideas on improving service and menu offerings.
✨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 the IFG team.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Support Manager in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food: When you're writing your application, let your love for food shine through! Share any experiences that highlight your culinary skills or your enthusiasm for improving food quality in schools. We want to see that you’re not just about the numbers but also about making a real difference.
Highlight Your Management Experience: Make sure to detail your multisite management experience clearly. We’re looking for someone who can manage and inspire teams across multiple locations, so give us examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. This is your chance to show us what you’ve got!
Be Authentic and Personable: We love genuine personalities! In your application, don’t be afraid to let your character come through. Whether it’s your approach to building client relationships or how you engage with your team, we want to know the real you. Authenticity goes a long way!
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 out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to join our awesome team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Impact Food Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of contract catering and the specific challenges faced in multi-site management. Familiarise yourself with IFG's mission and values, especially their focus on feeding children better food. This will show that you're genuinely interested in the role and the company.
✨Showcase Your Kitchen Skills
Since the role requires a hands-on approach in the kitchen, be prepared to discuss your culinary background and how you can contribute practically. Bring examples of how you've successfully managed kitchen operations in the past, and don’t shy away from sharing any creative ideas you have for improving food service.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
During the interview, aim to connect with your interviewers by engaging them in conversation. Ask insightful questions about their operations and share your thoughts on how to enhance client relationships. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively at all levels, which is crucial for the role.
✨Prepare for the Kitchen Visit
Since a kitchen visit is part of the interview process, be ready to showcase your practical skills. Think about how you would manage a team in a busy kitchen environment and be prepared to demonstrate your ability to inspire and engage others. This is your chance to shine, so make it count!
