At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the onboarding and operational integration of new clients in hospitality and food production.
- Company: Join Absolute Taste, a leader in innovative hospitality solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension scheme, life assurance, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Flexible working with travel opportunities and a supportive, empowering culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping client experiences across diverse hospitality sectors.
- Qualifications: Experience in hospitality operations, project management, and strong stakeholder skills required.
About the Role
Absolute Taste is seeking an experienced, commercially astute and highly organised Head of New Business Mobilisation to lead the successful onboarding, mobilisation and operational integration of new clients across the Group’s hospitality and food production businesses. This role will act as the central conduit between new clients and the various operational functions within Absolute Taste, Cucina and The Menu Partners, ensuring that each client receives a tailored solution aligned to their operational, culinary, commercial and strategic requirements.
The successful candidate will be responsible for establishing client requirements, building mobilisation strategies, coordinating multi‑functional project teams and ensuring seamless delivery across a broad range of hospitality sectors including hotels, restaurants, visitor attractions, stadia, premium events, food manufacturing and high street brands. This is a highly collaborative leadership role requiring strong stakeholder management, operational understanding and project delivery expertise.
Location: Bicester. Flexibility required including evenings, weekends and extensive travel depending on client and mobilisation requirements.
Your key responsibilities as Head of New Business Mobilisation will be:
- Lead the mobilisation and onboarding process for all new business wins across Absolute Taste, Cucina and The Menu Partners.
- Act as the primary operational lead during the transition from business development to operational delivery.
- Establish and document each client’s operational, culinary, commercial and logistical requirements.
- Build tailored mobilisation plans aligned to the specific needs of each client and sector.
- Coordinate seamless integration between client operations and internal Group functions.
- Ensure all mobilisations are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed operational standards.
- Support site openings, operational launches and service transitions.
Client Relationship Management
- Build strong working relationships with new and existing clients across all hospitality sectors.
- Lead discovery meetings, operational workshops and mobilisation planning sessions with clients.
- Understand client objectives, challenges, brand positioning and long‑term strategic goals.
- Ensure clients receive clear communication and visibility throughout the mobilisation process.
- Provide operational confidence and leadership during periods of transition and change.
- Support ongoing client retention through strong operational delivery and relationship management.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Coordinate and manage multiple mobilisation project teams simultaneously.
- Identify which functions across Absolute Taste, Cucina and The Menu Partners are best placed to support each client opportunity.
- Bring together specialist teams across: Culinary & NPD, Operations, Food Manufacturing, Procurement & Supply Chain, Logistics, Technical & Compliance, HR & People Operations, Finance, Commercial, Technology & Systems, Training & Development.
- Ensure accountability, communication and alignment across all workstreams.
- Facilitate regular mobilisation meetings, project reviews and operational updates.
Operational Planning & Delivery
- Develop detailed mobilisation plans, timelines, critical paths and operational readiness programmes.
- Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.
- Ensure clear ownership and delivery of all mobilisation workstreams.
- Support the implementation of operational systems, reporting structures and governance processes.
- Coordinate supplier onboarding, procurement requirements and operational infrastructure planning.
- Ensure consistency of standards across all sectors and business units.
- Support launch readiness reviews and post‑launch operational evaluations.
Hospitality Sector Support
- Lead mobilisation projects across multiple hospitality sectors including: Hotels, Restaurants, Visitor attractions, Stadia and sporting venues, Premium events and hospitality, Food manufacturing, Retail and grab‑and‑go operations, High street hospitality brands.
- Ensure mobilisation approaches are tailored to the operational complexities and customer expectations of each sector.
Strategic & Commercial Support
- Support the Commercial and Business Development teams during tender processes and client presentations.
- Assist in developing mobilisation strategies during bid and proposal stages.
- Ensure operational solutions are commercially viable and scalable.
- Identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and cross‑business collaboration.
- Contribute to strategic growth initiatives across the Group.
- Support the development of long‑term operational partnerships with clients.
Project Management & Governance
- Build and manage multiple concurrent mobilisation projects.
- Establish clear project governance structures and reporting mechanisms.
- Track progress against timelines, budgets and deliverables.
- Produce mobilisation reports, action trackers and executive updates.
- Ensure lessons learned and continuous improvement processes are embedded into future mobilisations.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience within hospitality operations, mobilisation, account management or project leadership roles.
- Strong understanding of multi‑site hospitality operations.
- Experience working across sectors including hotels, restaurants, events, visitor attractions or food production.
- Excellent stakeholder and client relationship management skills.
- Strong project management and organisational capabilities.
- Ability to coordinate multiple workstreams and project teams simultaneously.
- Commercial awareness and operational understanding.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to work cross‑functionally and influence at all levels.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally.
- Experience within food manufacturing, central production or supply chain operations.
- Experience leading new business mobilisations or operational transitions.
- Knowledge of hospitality systems, operational reporting and mobilisation governance.
- Experience within premium hospitality or major events.
- Understanding of technical compliance, food safety and operational standards.
We offer:
- 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays
- Company Pension Scheme
- Life assurance
- Thorough training and ongoing development
- A positive, empowering culture where your growth matters
We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.
Head of New Business Mobilisation in Bicester employer: Premier Foods Wholesale
Absolute Taste is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development within a dynamic and empowering culture. Located in Bicester, the company offers a comprehensive benefits package including 25 days of holiday, a pension scheme, and life assurance, all while fostering a collaborative environment where your contributions directly impact the success of diverse hospitality projects. Join us to lead innovative client mobilisations and be part of a team that values your expertise and commitment to excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of New Business Mobilisation in Bicester
✨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 Premier Foods Wholesale. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Premier Foods Wholesale
Don't be shy about reaching out to Premier Foods Wholesale 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 Head of New Business Mobilisation in Bicester
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 Premier Foods Wholesale 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 Premier Foods Wholesale
✨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!
