Operations Excellence Manager (12 Month FTC) in London

Operations Excellence Manager (12 Month FTC) in London

London Temporary 40000 - 50000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
KFC

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead exciting projects to enhance customer experience and operational excellence at Pizza Hut.
  • Company: Join the world's largest pizza company with a vibrant culture and innovative spirit.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, growth opportunities, and a fun work environment.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values your unique perspective and encourages growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role that blends strategy and hands-on execution.
  • Qualifications: Experience in hospitality or operations, strong communication skills, and a passion for improvement.

The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.

Welcome to the flavourful world of Pizza Hut, where our handcrafted pizzas are made with passion! At Pizza Hut, we create an exciting environment that nurtures personal and professional growth. It's a place where we work together, grow as a team, and celebrate each other's achievements.

As Operations Excellence Manager, you will support the continued evolution of Pizza Hut IOM (International Operating Markets) operational and guest experience capability. This role sits at the intersection of customer insight, operational excellence, systems transformation, and franchise partnership. You will identify opportunities to simplify operations, improve guest experience, strengthen operational consistency, and embed smarter ways of working that deliver measurable business impact.

You will combine customer and operational insight with strong project leadership and practical operational understanding to help translate strategy into sustainable execution across our restaurants. This includes leading complex cross-functional initiatives, improving operational adoption of systems and tools, identifying trends and opportunities within customer and operational data, and supporting franchise partners to deliver consistent improvement.

A key part of the role will be balancing strategic thinking with practical implementation, ensuring initiatives are not only well designed, but effectively embedded into day-to-day restaurant operations.

The successful candidate will bring strong curiosity, commercial awareness, structured problem solving, and the ability to influence across multiple stakeholder groups. They will be comfortable working with data and insight, but equally motivated by understanding how operations work in practice and how frontline execution can be improved.

Responsibilities
  • Lead and support cross-functional projects across customer experience, operational improvement, restaurant systems, and operational transformation initiatives.
  • Own project coordination across multiple workstreams, ensuring clear timelines, stakeholder alignment, communication, and delivery against agreed objectives.
  • Partner with Operations, franchisees, and cross-functional teams to successfully pilot, test, and embed new initiatives, tools, and ways of working.
  • Support operational rollout and adoption of projects by identifying barriers, driving engagement, and ensuring initiatives land effectively in restaurants.
  • Manage relationships with relevant external partners and vendors where required, ensuring projects remain commercially and operationally focused.
  • Capture project learnings, operational insights, and best practices to support continuous improvement and scalable implementation across the business.
  • Support governance, reporting, and tracking of key operational initiatives to ensure visibility of progress, risks, and outcomes.
Customer Experience & Insight
  • Lead and manage the relationship with our customer care provider, ensuring excellence service delivery and continuous improvement.
  • Analyse customer and operational data to identify trends, opportunities, and operational focus areas.
  • Translate insight into clear and practical recommendations to support operational improvement.
  • Share learnings and trends with franchise partners and cross-functional teams to support improved guest experience and restaurant performance.
  • Partner with internal and external stakeholders to continuously improve customer experience processes and reporting.
Data & Insights
  • Leverage operational, commercial, and guest performance data to generate insights that inform strategic priorities and drive continuous improvement across restaurant operations.
  • Deliver robust analysis and performance reporting that enables proactive identification of risks, opportunities, and operational trends, supporting fact-based decision-making across markets.
  • Collaborate with Global stakeholders to translate initiatives into measurable operational outcomes, ensuring alignment with restaurant excellence objectives and market targets.
  • Champion a culture of continuous improvement by using analytics and operational insights to simplify processes, optimize execution, and enhance both team and guest experiences.
Systems & Ways of Working
  • Own and optimise core operations systems to ensure simplicity, effectiveness, and adoption.
  • Analyse and improve ways of working in restaurants to reduce complexity and improve team engagement.
  • Lead the embedding of global tools, systems, and practices across the market.
Qualifications
  • Experience working in a franchise, hospitality, retail, restaurant or operationally-led business.
  • Strong organisational and project coordination skills.
  • Ability to analyse data and identify practical operational insights and opportunities.
  • Strong communication and relationship-building capability.
  • Curious and solutions-focused mindset with a passion for continuous improvement.
  • Comfortable working cross-functionally across multiple stakeholder groups.
  • Experience supporting operational change, behavioural adoption, or implementation of new systems/processes.
  • Understanding of restaurant/QSR operations is advantageous but not essential.
  • Willingness to spend regular time in restaurants and operational environments.

Joining Pizza Hut UK means embarking on an entrepreneurial journey with the excitement of a start-up and the support of a globally recognized brand. We're constantly pushing boundaries, embracing innovation, and creating exceptional experiences for our customers.

If you feel you are suited to this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with everything listed in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway – you may be the perfect candidate for this or other roles we have available!

Operations Excellence Manager (12 Month FTC) in London employer: KFC

At Pizza Hut, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions personal and professional growth. As an Operations Excellence Manager, you'll be part of a dynamic team dedicated to innovation and operational excellence, with ample opportunities for career advancement within a globally recognised brand. Join us in our mission to create extraordinary experiences while enjoying the benefits of a supportive environment that values your contributions and celebrates success together.

KFC

Contact Details:

KFC Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Operations Excellence Manager (12 Month FTC) in London

Get Your Foot in the Door with Walk-Ins

In the hospitality and food service game, a personal touch goes a long way. Instead of waiting for listings, why not walk into local restaurants, cafes, or hotels? Bring your best smile and a CV, and show them that you're eager to join their team right on the spot!

Tap into Seasonal Hiring Trends

With temporary roles often popping up during busy seasons, like summer or festive times, keep an eye out for openings as these businesses ramp up. Joining local community groups on social media can also help you stay ahead of the game: think pop-up events, seasonal fairs, or any openings in your area!

Utilise Your Network in the Industry

We all know people in the hospitality world, right? Now's the time to message those friends or acquaintances who might already be working in restaurants or bars. They could give you the insider scoop on who’s hiring or even put in a good word for you – it’s all about that inside connection!

Apply Through Us for Quick Visibility

Don't forget you can apply for temporary roles directly through our website! It’s not just about the big chain restaurants; many smaller, local places look there for quick hires. Plus, it helps us get you on the radar of employers looking for passionate workers like you, so what are you waiting for?

We think you need these skills to ace Operations Excellence Manager (12 Month FTC) in London

Project Coordination
Data Analysis
Customer Insight
Operational Excellence
Stakeholder Management
Continuous Improvement
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Service Skills:In the hospitality-food-service game, your ability to connect with customers is key. Make sure to highlight any relevant experience in your CV, like working in cafes or restaurants, and emphasise your skills in teamwork and communication. Don't forget to mention any customer service training or certifications you've got under your belt!

Flexibility is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary role, you'll want to showcase your flexibility in your application. In your cover letter, mention your availability and willingness to work various shifts, including weekends or holidays. Employers love knowing they can rely on you during busy periods!

Bring Your Personality to the Front:In hospitality, it's not just about what you can do; it's about who you are! Let your personality shine through in your cover letter. A warm, engaging tone can really make your application stand out and show your potential to create a welcoming atmosphere for customers.

Include Relevant References:References can make a huge difference in the hospitality-field. Consider including a couple of references from previous employers or colleagues in your CV who can vouch for your customer service skills and ability to thrive in fast-paced environments. This adds credibility and elevates your application!

How to prepare for a job interview at KFC

Show Off Your Customer Service Skills

In the hospitality-food-service sector, it's all about the customer experience. Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've gone above and beyond for a customer or handled a difficult situation. They’ll appreciate knowing that you can keep your cool and maintain a positive attitude even when things get a bit hectic!

Know Your Menu Inside and Out

Whether you're applying for a temporary role as a server or in the kitchen, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the menu and any signature dishes they serve at KFC. During the interview, they might ask about your food and drink recommendations, so having a few tasty suggestions up your sleeve will show you're genuinely interested in contributing to the team.

Emphasise Your Flexibility

Temporary roles often require a bit of juggling with shifts and responsibilities. Be sure to convey your willingness to adapt and take on different roles as needed. Share instances where you’ve quickly switched tasks or taken the initiative to help out your colleagues, showing that you're a team player.

Dress the Part and Exude Personality

In hospitality, first impressions matter! Even for a temporary position, donning smart-casual attire can set the right tone. Plus, don't hold back on your personality – let your enthusiasm shine through, as they’re looking for someone who can mesh well with the team and create a welcoming atmosphere for guests.