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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in delivering exceptional food and service standards.
- Company: Join Restaurant Associates, a leader in hospitality and catering services.
- Benefits: Enjoy subsidised meals, gym memberships, and exclusive travel discounts.
- Why this job: Be part of a vibrant culture focused on excellence and collaboration.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in retail operations with strong leadership and communication skills.
- Other info: Diversity is our strength; we celebrate unique talents and backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Retail Operations Manager – Join a Leading Catering and Retail Team
We’re looking for an experienced and passionate Retail Operations Manager to lead and elevate the retail, coffee bar, and vending services within a high-profile corporate environment.
In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for delivering exceptional food and service standards while maintaining a strong commercial focus. Reporting to the London Account Manager, you’ll lead a dynamic team across multiple outlets, ensuring consistency, innovation, and operational excellence.
What You’ll Do:
- Champion a ‘beyond expectations’ service culture, driving five-star customer satisfaction.
- Lead and manage the Retail and Vending teams to deliver outstanding performance and engagement.
- Drive commercial success, focusing on cost control, budgeting, and GP maximisation.
- Maintain the highest standards of food safety, hygiene, and health & safety compliance.
- Build strong, credible relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
- Promote collaboration across departments, fostering a “one team” culture.
- Drive and embed CSR initiatives aligned with company and client values.
- Oversee administrative, recruitment, and financial processes with a high level of accuracy.
Who You Are:
- A confident, hands-on leader with at least 2 years’ experience managing busy, multi-outlet operations.
- Passionate about food, service, and people, with a sharp eye for detail and standards.
- Commercially driven with a track record of achieving budgets and improving profitability.
- An excellent communicator who can inspire, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.
- Strong knowledge of health & safety and food hygiene (CIEH L3 or equivalent).
- Highly organised, self-motivated, and capable of managing competing priorities effectively.
Essential Experience:
- Background in contract catering.
- Proven experience managing multiple operational areas.
- Strong IT skills and comfortable using data to inform decisions.
- Vending and large-scale catering experience (preferred).
- A proactive, collaborative attitude with a commitment to excellence.
We ensure you\’re rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- Subsidised meals
- Subsidised gym membership
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury\’s, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
About Us
Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK\’s leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.
Job Reference: com/0808/76424001/52755267/SU #RA Group
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive – because diversity is our strength!
Retail Operations Manager employer: Restaurant Associates
Contact Detail:
Restaurant Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in retail operations and catering. Understanding current market dynamics will help you speak confidently about how you can drive commercial success and improve profitability during your interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the catering and retail industry. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even refer you to opportunities within their organisations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and improved operational efficiency in previous roles. Being able to share these stories will demonstrate your hands-on leadership style and ability to inspire high-performing teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company’s values and CSR initiatives. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, and how you can contribute to fostering a 'one team' culture while driving their CSR goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in retail operations, particularly in multi-outlet environments. Emphasise your leadership skills and any achievements related to customer satisfaction and commercial success.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for food and service. Mention specific examples of how you've driven performance and engagement in previous roles, and how you align with the company's values and culture.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, focus on your background in contract catering and any experience managing operational areas. Include details about your knowledge of health & safety and food hygiene standards, as these are crucial for the role.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: Describe your leadership approach and how you inspire and motivate teams. Provide examples of how you've built strong relationships with stakeholders and fostered collaboration across departments.
How to prepare for a job interview at Restaurant Associates
✨Show Your Passion for Food and Service
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for food, service, and people during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've gone above and beyond to deliver exceptional customer experiences in your previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you motivate and develop high-performing teams. Highlight any successful initiatives you've led that improved team engagement or performance in a multi-outlet environment.
✨Be Commercially Savvy
Familiarise yourself with key financial metrics relevant to retail operations, such as budgeting and GP maximisation. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully driven commercial success in past positions.
✨Emphasise Health & Safety Knowledge
Since health and safety compliance is crucial in this role, be prepared to talk about your knowledge and experience in food hygiene standards. Mention any relevant certifications, like CIEH L3, and how you've implemented these standards in your previous roles.
