Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Odyssey

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Coordinate kitchen operations and manage high-touch client requests in a fast-paced environment.
  • Company: Join Odyssey, a leader in private aviation catering with Michelin-starred excellence.
  • Benefits: Full-time contract, career progression, and a people-first work culture.
  • Other info: Opportunity to navigate London while sourcing unique products for high-end clients.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team delivering exceptional culinary experiences to VIP clients.
  • Qualifications: 2-4 years in fast-paced environments; strong organisational and communication skills required.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

About Odyssey

Odyssey is redefining private aviation catering by combining the culinary excellence of our two Michelin-starred chef with world-class customer service. Already established in London, Paris, and Miami, we are expanding internationally with a simple promise: uncompromising quality, responsiveness, and personalisation.

The Role

We are looking for a Kitchen Operations Associate to join our London team. This is a pivotal role in our day-to-day operations. You will act as the voice of Odyssey for our clients, primarily in the UK but also supporting requests from our Paris and Miami markets. You will ensure seamless coordination between our client services team and the kitchen, and handle high-touch concierge requests, from sourcing rare items in-store to managing urgent, last-minute luxury purchases for VIP clients.

Key Responsibilities

  • Take ownership of sourcing: identify, purchase, and collect products across London, from specialist food suppliers to retail stores, based on kitchen and client requirements.
  • Act as the operational link between clients, kitchen, and drivers, ensuring clear communication, feasibility, and smooth execution of orders at all times.
  • Handle incoming requests (email and phone) with speed and accuracy, translating client needs into clear, actionable briefs for the kitchen team.
  • Support day-to-day service operations, including troubleshooting issues, managing last-minute changes, and ensuring orders go out on time and to standard.
  • Spend a significant portion of time outside the office/kitchen, running errands and sourcing items in line with operational needs.
  • Make quick, practical decisions on sourcing alternatives when products are unavailable or timelines are tight.
  • Work closely with chefs to understand ingredients, prep constraints, and kitchen workflows, ensuring requests are realistic and executable.
  • Coordinate with drivers and logistics to ensure timely dispatch, accurate handovers, and real-time updates where needed.
  • Maintain high attention to detail across orders, from quoting through to final delivery, ensuring consistency and quality.

Your Profile

  • 2-4 years of experience in fast-paced, hands-on environments such as kitchens, food production, hospitality operations, or similar execution-focused roles.
  • Comfortable working closely with chefs and operational teams; you understand kitchen constraints, urgency, and standards.
  • Highly organised with strong attention to detail, you can manage multiple moving parts without things slipping.
  • Proactive and resourceful: you take ownership, solve problems quickly, and don't wait to be told what to do.
  • Comfortable being on your feet and spending time outside the office, running errands, sourcing products, and navigating the city as part of the role.
  • Calm under pressure, with the ability to handle last-minute changes and time-sensitive requests.
  • Clear and concise communicator in English; able to translate requests into actionable instructions for the kitchen and team.
  • Good knowledge of London (suppliers, food shops, logistics routes) is a strong plus.
  • Previous experience in high-end food & beverage or premium environments is beneficial, but mindset and work ethic matter more than background.

What We Offer

  • The chance to join a fast-growing business with high standards of excellence and genuine opportunities for career progression.
  • A people-first, high-performance environment with a focus on craftsmanship, service, and team spirit.
  • A full-time, permanent contract with regular working hours (with occasional out-of-hours coverage during peak periods).

Operations Manager employer: Odyssey

Odyssey is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London where culinary excellence meets world-class service. Employees benefit from a people-first culture that prioritises teamwork and craftsmanship, alongside genuine opportunities for career progression within a fast-growing business. With a focus on high standards and a commitment to personalisation, working at Odyssey means being part of a passionate team dedicated to redefining private aviation catering.
Odyssey

Contact Detail:

Odyssey 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 people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues 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

Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Research companies you admire, like Odyssey, and reach out directly. Express your interest and ask about potential opportunities – it shows initiative and enthusiasm!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to kitchen operations. Think about how you’d handle sourcing challenges or last-minute requests. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel!

✨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 being part of our team at Odyssey. Let’s make it happen!

We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager

Sourcing Skills
Communication Skills
Attention to Detail
Problem-Solving Skills
Organisational Skills
Time Management
Customer Service Skills
Knowledge of London Suppliers
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Collaboration with Chefs
Logistics Coordination
Adaptability
Proactivity
Experience in Hospitality Operations

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Food and Service: When writing your application, let your love for food and exceptional service shine through. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for the culinary world and how you can contribute to our high standards at Odyssey.

Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, especially those that relate to kitchen operations and client interactions.

Highlight Your Organisational Skills: As an Operations Manager, being organised is key! In your application, mention specific examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects in fast-paced environments. This will show us you're ready for the challenges at Odyssey.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Odyssey

✨Know Your Ingredients

Familiarise yourself with the culinary world, especially if you're going to be working closely with chefs. Understand common ingredients, kitchen workflows, and how they impact operations. This knowledge will help you communicate effectively during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.

✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills

Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed multiple tasks or projects simultaneously. Highlight your attention to detail and how you ensured everything ran smoothly, especially under pressure. This will demonstrate that you can handle the fast-paced environment Odyssey thrives in.

✨Be Proactive in Problem-Solving

Think of scenarios where you had to make quick decisions or solve unexpected issues. Be ready to discuss how you approached these challenges and what the outcomes were. This will illustrate your resourcefulness and ability to take ownership, which is crucial for the Kitchen Operations Associate role.

✨Communicate Clearly and Concisely

Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, as effective communication is key in this role. Prepare to explain how you would translate client requests into actionable briefs for the kitchen team. Being able to convey information succinctly will set you apart as a strong candidate.

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