At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead projects to enhance guest experience and operational excellence at Pizza Hut.
- Company: Join the dynamic team at Pizza Hut UK, a globally recognised brand.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive environment with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of diversity and continuous improvement in a vibrant workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on customer experiences while working in a fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality or operations, strong communication, and project coordination skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
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.
Project & Programme Delivery- 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.
- 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.
- 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, optimise execution, and enhance both team and guest experiences.
- 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.
- Franchisees and their operational teams (Principal Operators, Operations Leaders, Area Coaches & RGMs)
- Pizza Hut Franchise Operations Team
- Pizza Hut Restaurant Excellence Team
- Marketing, HR, QA, Supply Chain and wider Restaurant Support Centre teams
- External suppliers where relevant
- 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 recognised brand. We’re constantly pushing boundaries, embracing innovation, and creating exceptional experiences for our customers. So, if you’re ready to leave your mark in the thrilling world of Pizza Hut, come join us on this incredible journey.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some demographics are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Pizza Hut UK, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so 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) employer: Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut UK is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture where innovation and ambition thrive. As an Operations Excellence Manager, you will benefit from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and collaboration across diverse teams, all while being part of a globally recognised brand. With a commitment to continuous improvement and a focus on enhancing guest experiences, this role offers the unique opportunity to make a tangible impact in the fast-paced world of hospitality.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Excellence Manager (12 Month FTC)
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Pizza Hut. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Pizza Hut
Don't be shy about reaching out to Pizza Hut directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Excellence Manager (12 Month FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Pizza Hut and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pizza Hut
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
