At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead catering operations, ensuring exceptional hospitality and service excellence across multiple sites.
- Company: Dynamic hospitality company focused on resident satisfaction and service quality.
- Benefits: Free meals, flexible working hours, generous holiday allowance, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in hospitality while leading passionate teams and creating memorable experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing teams and sites in hospitality or contract catering.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a passionate and proactive Operations Manager to lead catering operations across multiple sites, with a strong focus on exceptional hospitality, resident satisfaction, and service excellence. This is a field‑based role, requiring regular presence across sites to support teams, oversee service delivery, and ensure consistently high standards.
You’ll be a hands‑on hospitality leader who champions a resident‑first culture, anticipates guest needs, and delivers seamless, memorable dining and event experiences. Working closely with culinary, sales, and event teams, you’ll ensure high service standards are maintained while driving operational efficiency, quality, and profitability.
Responsibilities- Lead and inspire teams across multiple sites, embedding a strong culture of hospitality and service excellence.
- Champion a resident‑first mindset, ensuring every interaction reflects warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail.
- Plan, coordinate, and deliver catering services for events including corporate functions, conferences, and social events.
- Oversee event set‑up, service flow, and breakdown to ensure flawless execution.
- Collaborate with culinary, sales, and event teams to ensure menus, service styles, and event details meet client and brand expectations.
- Anticipate client and guest needs, resolving issues proactively and discreetly.
- Gather and act on feedback to continuously enhance the resident and guest experience.
- Recruit, induct, train, and support Site Managers and teams to deliver consistent, high‑quality service.
- Manage budgets effectively, driving financial performance and service innovation.
- Build strong internal and external relationships through clear communication, reporting, and client liaison.
- Plan and deliver effective mobilisation and demobilisation of contracts.
Qualifications
- Proven experience managing multiple sites and teams, ideally within contract catering or hospitality.
- A genuine passion for hospitality and customer service excellence.
- A strong, inspiring leadership style with the ability to motivate large teams.
- Solid commercial and financial management experience.
- Confidence working with external clients and delivering against service expectations.
- Free, tasty meals – Enjoy tasty, nutritious food on us while you work.
- Flexible working – including part‑time roles, because life doesn’t run on a 9‑5 schedule.
- Plenty of time to unwind – generous holiday allowance of 33 days, with the option to buy more.
- Leave for life’s important moments – whether family, personal or unexpected.
- Give back time – paid volunteering days for the causes you care about.
- Room to grow – career development and learning opportunities for all stages of your career.
- Financial security – pension schemes and life assurance.
- Drive in style – Enjoy a company car or car allowance.
We promote diversity and inclusion across our workforce and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all.
AccessibilityNeed any support or adjustments during the application process? Let us know—we’re happy to help.
Operations Manager employer: Lexington-Catering
Contact Detail:
Lexington-Catering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality and catering industry. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an Operations Manager role!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your hands-on experience! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share specific examples of how you've led teams and improved service delivery. Highlight those moments where you turned challenges into opportunities—this is what they want to hear!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in your follow-ups! After interviews or networking events, drop a quick thank-you email. Mention something specific from your conversation to keep you fresh in their minds. It shows you're genuinely interested and keeps the lines of communication open.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting opportunities waiting for passionate individuals like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t miss out on your dream job—get applying!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for hospitality shine through in your application. We want to see how your passion aligns with our resident-first culture and service excellence.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience managing multiple sites and teams. We love seeing specific examples of how you've driven operational efficiency and quality in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for the Operations Manager role. Share stories that demonstrate your leadership style and ability to inspire teams across various locations.
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 from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lexington-Catering
✨Know Your Hospitality Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your hospitality knowledge. Understand the key principles of exceptional service and how they apply to catering operations. Be ready to share examples of how you've championed a resident-first culture in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your leadership approach and how you inspire teams across multiple sites. Think of specific instances where you've motivated large teams or resolved conflicts, as this will demonstrate your ability to lead effectively in a hands-on role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Financial Management
Since managing budgets is crucial for this role, come prepared with examples of how you've driven financial performance in past positions. Highlight any innovative service solutions you've implemented that improved profitability while maintaining high service standards.
✨Anticipate Questions About Client Relations
Expect questions about how you handle client interactions and feedback. Prepare to share experiences where you've proactively resolved issues or enhanced guest experiences, showcasing your ability to build strong relationships and ensure satisfaction.