Operations Manager (Development)

Are you an experienced Operations Manager who thrives on driving performance and fostering strong relationships, while also possessing a strategic mindset for growth? Do you fancy a change from day-to-day operations and want to get involved in delivering our strategic goals through acquiring new businesses and analysing existing businesses? This exciting new opportunity offers the chance to further develop your operational skills and have a direct impact on our expansion through acquisitions.

We are seeking a talented individual to take a leading role in identifying, evaluating, and integrating new acquisitions into our growing estate, while also overseeing a small portfolio of our existing pubs, ensuring their continued success and profitability. Our L&T Operations Managers (OM) are at the forefront of partnering with our Publicans, developing awesome pubs for the community. Operations Managers think big, innovative, and commercially inspire our Publicans to generate sustainable sales and profitability, as well as converting those sales to profit through excellent pub controls and disciplines to exceed targets and drive performance.

A key part of the Operations Manager role in the Development region is to be pivotal to the success of the acquisitions and transfer programme.

• Work hand in hand with our acquisitions team assessing individual and small group acquisitions.
• Actively seek out and identify potential pub acquisition opportunities that align with our strategic growth objectives.
• Help determine the future direction of these businesses and assimilate them into the estate seamlessly.
• Attract, engage, and build relationships, networking with talented individuals to ensure Punch Pubs is the best pub company to partner with.
• Proactively utilise the centrally available Publican Recruitment tools and talent banks in managing business failures by staying close to the reality of business and reacting quickly with viable solutions.

• Drive an exciting sales led culture across all pubs – maximising all sales opportunities underpinned by a Business to Business Mindset (B2B).
• Engage with, support delivery of and promote centrally facilitated tools, that support Publicans to maximise the power of social media in interacting with their communities, guests and in turn generate sales.
• Maximise the Punch guest segmentation tools, HDI insight data to add value to publicans guest led decision making inclusive of (Food, Drink), price, place, and promotion (ROTW).

• Adherence to regulated principles of The Pubs Code.
• Maintaining strong publican relationships by adhering to the Punch call cycle.
• Ensuring compliance with Leased and Tenanted Act and TUPE employment regulations for transferring and acquisition sites.
• Management of Large Pack Tie Compliance ensuring CDI is below the targeted % average, with a zero tolerance to buying out.
• Working with the central credit team, and support tools in preventing and managing debt.

Pro-active, insight-led sales, getting the right product to secure volume & overall growth, identifying areas for improvement and development, not being afraid to think differently equally to challenge sales led opportunities for the benefit of Punch and our Pubs. Consistently focused on developing customer-related opportunities to improve company sales and profits. Demonstrates creativity in building new business and approaches every business encounter with a sales orientation.

Successful onboarding of new businesses – delivering growth to the business and delivering the group strategic plan. Lead and develop Publican business and sales growth skills within your region as a key focus for growth. Deliver Operational excellence across all Pubs maintaining high standards across the Operational basics. Utilising the premiumisation ranging tool to achieve 100% perfect range that drives great margin and sales.

• Develop a clear vision to deliver area plans and aligned budget which focuses on Key Performance Indicators such as organic sales growth, acquisitions, succession planning, improved cost control and operating profit, including effective management of budgets, forecasting and overall P&L management.
• Maximise the Punch guest segmentation tools, HDI insight data to ensure acquisitions deliver the required return on investment.
• Conduct initial due diligence, including market analysis, financial assessment, and operational feasibility studies for prospective acquisitions.
• Work closely with senior leadership and external advisors (e.g. property, legal, financial) throughout the acquisition process, from negotiation to completion.
• Develop and execute post-acquisition improvement plans to quickly optimize the performance and profitability of new sites.

• Proven experience as an L&T Operations Manager or similar multi-site operational role within the hospitality industry.
• Demonstrable experience in driving commercial performance and achieving targets.
• An analytical and strategic mindset, with a keen interest in business development and growth.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, able to build rapport with diverse stakeholders.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• A valid UK driving license and willingness to travel extensively.

• Annual Company Bonus Scheme.
• Company pension.
• 25 Annual holiday days (Option to buy and sell) and much more.

If you are a results-driven Operations Manager ready for a new challenge that combines operational excellence with strategic acquisitions, we want to hear from you!