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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to optimise service delivery and drive operational excellence.
- Company: Join Buttress, a collaborative group transforming the commercial catering industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, pension scheme, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting change focused on innovation and teamwork.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in large-scale operations and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Buttress is a UK-wide group of specialist companies, delivering end-to-end services through a connected and collaborative approach. By combining expertise across our businesses, we provide smarter, more efficient and increasingly sustainable solutions across the commercial catering and service industries. The Group brings together a portfolio of established and growing businesses, including Maidaid (equipment manufacturing), Caterparts (spare parts distribution) and Crystaltech (preventative maintenance services), each with a strong and expanding presence in the market.
This role is accountable for the end-to-end performance of a circa 80 FTE operation (50 field engineers and 30 back-office team), ensuring the delivery of service excellence, operational efficiency and sustainable commercial performance. Operating within an Operational Excellence framework, you will drive structured improvement across people, process and technology—evolving the service model from reactive to proactive, scalable and performance-led.
Key Responsibilities- Service Operations Leadership
- Lead nationwide field service delivery for warewashing equipment
- Oversee scheduling, dispatch, and service execution to ensure SLA adherence
- Optimise engineer utilisation, availability, and geographic coverage
- Own escalation management, including major service failures and complaints
- People, Performance & Capability
- Lead and develop: Field engineering team (~50 engineers), Service coordination and scheduling team (~30 staff)
- Implement a structured performance framework focused on: First-Time Fix (FTF), Productivity and utilisation, SLA compliance
- Drive workforce planning, training, and capability development
- Build a high-performance, accountable, and collaborative culture
- Process & Operational Excellence
- Own and standardise end-to-end service processes: Call intake → dispatch → execution → parts → billing
- Drive continuous improvement using: Root cause analysis, Lean principles, Process standardisation
- Improve key operational metrics: First-Time Fix rate, Response and resolution times, Repeat visits and service efficiency
- Ensure accurate, consistent, and scalable operating procedures
- Systems & Technology (FSM)
- Drive adoption and optimisation of FSM systems (e.g. NetSuite FSM)
- Ensure data accuracy, compliance, and workflow discipline
- Develop real-time operational dashboards covering: SLA performance, Engineer productivity, Parts usage and returns
- Identify and implement system and automation improvements
- OPEX & Commercial Control
- Own operational cost base, including: Labour (field and back office), Overtime and subcontracting, Fleet and travel costs, Parts consumption and leakage
- Improve cost-to-serve and operational efficiency
- Deliver against budget and operating plan targets
- Partner with Finance on forecasting, reporting, and cost control
- Parts, Supply Chain & Service Interface
- Work closely with parts and supply chain teams to ensure: Effective van stock management, Parts availability and fulfilment, Returns and warranty processes
- Drive improvements in: Time to resolve, Billing accuracy, Parts utilisation efficiency
- Health, Safety & Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with HSEQ standards and regulatory requirements
- Maintain safe working practices across all field operations
- Ensure engineer vehicles, tools, and PPE are compliant and maintained
- Strategic & Transformation Contribution
- Support development of a scalable service operating model
- Contribute to ERP/FSM optimisation and operational transformation
- Drive transition toward a proactive, data-driven service model
- Support broader operational excellence and growth initiatives
- Proven experience leading large-scale field service operations (50+ engineers)
- Strong track record in service delivery, SLA management and operational performance improvement
- Experience in scheduling and dispatch optimisation
- Experience managing operational cost base, productivity and resource planning
- Strong leadership, communication and team development capability
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to client sites as required
- Strong leadership and influencing skills, able to engage at all levels
- A results‑driven mindset with a focus on performance and continuous improvement
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to engage and motivate large, dispersed teams
- Ability to use data and insight to drive operational decisions and efficiencies
- Confidence managing performance, driving accountability and delivering against targets
- A practical, hands‑on approach to improving service delivery and customer outcomes
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage complexity at scale
- Experience within commercial catering, warewashing or technical service environments
- Experience using FSM/ERP systems (e.g. NetSuite FSM)
- Exposure to performance‑driven or private equity‑backed environments
- A competitive salary
- Company car to support you in the role
- Pension scheme to support your future
- Access to a wide range of discount through our Perks platform via Employment Hero
- The opportunity to represent three of the most respected brands in the industry
- A supportive, down‑to‑earth culture where people genuinely enjoy working together
- A social team – from informal get‑togethers to our summer and Christmas parties
- Autonomy to manage your diary and approach
- The chance to be part of an exciting period of change, with a real focus on innovation – with new benefits, ways of working and development opportunities evolving as we grow.
General Manager - Operations in London employer: Maidaid
Contact Detail:
Maidaid Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager - Operations in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience and skills make you the perfect fit for the General Manager role. Keep it concise and focus on your achievements that relate to operational excellence and team leadership.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager - Operations in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the General Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience, operational excellence, and any relevant achievements in service delivery.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and improved operational performance in previous roles.
Showcase Your Data Skills: Since data-driven decisions are key in this role, mention any experience you have with FSM/ERP systems or how you've used data to drive improvements in past positions.
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’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Maidaid
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you research Buttress thoroughly. Understand their services, values, and recent developments in the commercial catering and service industries. This knowledge will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
As a General Manager – Operations, you'll need to showcase your leadership skills. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led large teams, improved operational performance, and driven accountability. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, especially regarding service delivery and operational efficiency. Highlight your experience with root cause analysis and lean principles, as these are crucial for the position. Think of scenarios where you turned reactive situations into proactive solutions.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street, so prepare insightful questions to ask your interviewers. Inquire about their expectations for the role, the company culture, and how they measure success in operations. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.