Operations Manager - Fireside Pubs in Leeds

At Punch Pubs we’re aiming to be the 5* pub company. We want to create a world class team where every employee embodies the essence of 5* partnership, supporting our brilliant Pubs. We strive to attract, develop and retain exceptional talent, ensuring each individual experiences growth, recognition and fulfilment in their roles.

We want to create a world class team where every employee embodies the essence of 5* partnership. We strive to attract, develop and retain exceptional talent, ensuring that each individual experiences growth, recognition and fulfilment in their roles. The job description sets out what we need from you to be successful in your role and what you can expect in return.

Come as you are — and thrive. At Punch, we believe great pubs are built by great people, and great people don’t all look, think or act the same.

We’re proud to be a place where individuality is welcomed, differences are valued, and everyone can bring their whole self to work.

If you need adjustments or a different approach to help you shine, we’ll work with you to make it happen.

We are committed to equal opportunities for all and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Operations Manager

Management Partnerships – Fireside Pubs

Job Description

As an Operations Manager for Fireside, my core purpose is to: Champion vibrant pubs, inspire Management Partners to create unforgettable guest experiences, and drive commercial success with bold ideas and energy. You gather everyone around our fire, nurture thirst for growth and connection, ignite the crackle of excellence, and fire it up with enthusiasm. Together, we make things happen and win as one tribe.

Accountabilities

We Fire It Up! We bring the energy, bold ideas, and enthusiasm.

Attract, recruit, develop, and retain 5★ calibre MPs.

Achieve and manage key performance indicators such as budgeted sales, margin, and profit.

Use The Exceptional Candidate Journey Guide to support behavioural interviewing.

Effectively deliver the MP Lifecycle: Selection, Onboarding, Growth, Support, and Business Improvement.

Take responsibility for actions, projects, and people—initiating action and generating activity.

Demonstrate a willingness to embrace fresh ideas and overcome barriers.

Take a leadership role, organise resources, and steer others toward successful outcomes.

Lead and develop MP skills within your region as a key focus for growth.

Translate company strategy into action and achievement.

Communicate clearly, influence, and persuade others to achieve win-win outcomes.

Show enthusiasm and maintain energy and commitment in the face of setbacks and pressure.

Prioritise and effectively manage workload.

Utilise planning skills to identify actions and objectives and clearly articulate them.

Drive accountability through clear, supportive direction with a focus to achieve more.

Enforce retail disciplines and ensure their implementation.

Successfully deliver change programmes through positive reinforcement, support, and challenge.

Reduce operator failures by staying close to the reality of business and reacting quickly and proactively.

We Gather Everyone Around Our Fire

We create a welcoming space where everyone feels at home every day.

Take pride in and ownership of the ‘MP Onboarding Journey’ to ensure MPs are safe, compliant, and set up for success.

Provide MPs with a clear sense of direction and explain how they contribute to business goals.

Proactively build strong relationships across the industry to connect with future 5★ MPs.

Maintain high professional standards and show commitment to the Punch brand.

Work together as a team to develop a clear and structured operational plan that mobilises the entire business.

We Nurture Thirst, we fuel the thirst for connection, discovery, growth...

Support and encourage MPs to build a talent pipeline via the ‘Pathway to Partnership’ programme.

Be an advocate for ‘Progress with Punch’ and the PATHS learning programme.

Focus on professional and personal learning and development to enhance existing skills and knowledge.

Develop and implement processes to engage with MPs to provide support, education, and challenge.

Engage with, support delivery of, and promote centrally facilitated courses available to MPs.

Ensure there are clear MP calibre development plans supported by a performance management culture.

We Ignite the Crackle, we go beyond expectations to delight and surprise.

Commit to meet and exceed guest expectations by providing great service and standards.

Drive an exciting sales‑led culture across all pubs—maximising all sales opportunities.

Deliver operational excellence across all pubs, maintaining high standards across the operational basics.

Proactively evaluate MP performance using data and metrics.

Identify areas for improvement and development, challenging procedures and processes for the benefit of Punch and our pubs.

Exploit commercial opportunities to develop profit growth.

Challenge the norm! Look for efficiencies in process and procedures for the benefit of MPs and the wider business.

Key Stakeholders

• Head of Operations
• Operations Director
• Management Partner (Pub Tenants)
• Operations Managers
• People Partner
• Pub Development Team
• Property Manager
• Investment Manager
• Marketing Managers
• Property Surveyor
• Food Business Manager
• Recruitment Manager

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Performance related annual bonus
• Company pension
• Life insurance
• 25 holiday days + bank holidays
• Option to buy and sell holidays, plus long service days
• Retail and leisure discount schemes
• Car allowance
• Electric car salary sacrifice scheme
• Single cover private healthcare
• Health and wellbeing suite via Perkbox
• Employee assistance programme via Perkbox
• Free pay day drinks
• Progression and development opportunities
• Pub discount scheme

Persona Specification

• Three years’ experience in a customer facing multi-site management role.
• Excellent interpersonal skills – with the ability to build strong relationships.
• The ability to lead others through high challenge and support.
• Delivers high standards of performance and delivery.
• Develops and communicates a clear vision to succeed.
• Resourceful and resilient
• Excellent team player
• Sound Commercial and Business Acumen Experience
• Computer literate – intermediate in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Power Point and advanced Excel
• Numerically competent with experience of Profit & Loss, cash flows and business accounts
• Full GB Driving Licence

Interested?