At a Glance
- Tasks: Support operational excellence across independent schools while building strong client relationships.
- Company: Join Sodexo, a global leader in improving quality of life.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 28 days holiday, hybrid working, and free lunches.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role with variety and visibility.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering/food services and strong team leadership skills required.
- Other info: Opportunities for training, development, and career growth in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 ÂŁ per year.
Salary: Circa ÂŁ36,500 per annum
Location: Multi-site role across central Scotland (regular travel) – ideally based around Edinburgh, Dunfermline, Midlothian, West Lothian
Benefits:
- Highly competitive salary
- 28 days holiday (including bank holidays)
- Site closures on Christmas day & New Year’s day
- Hybrid working
- Day shifts with very occasional evenings/weekends as required
- Mileage paid for business travel
- Company pension scheme
- Free lunch on site
- Company laptop & mobile
- Free on-site parking and/or good public transport links
- Wellbeing support (Employee Assistance Programme + Occupational Health)
- Training & development (including apprenticeships for all levels)
- Access to Sodexo’s internal career pathways
- Paid PVG/DBS check
- Retail, leisure and lifestyle discounts (high street, holidays, cinema + cashback)
- Discounted gym/health club memberships
- Recognition programmes to celebrate great work
- 3 paid volunteering days
- Refer a Friend bonus up to ÂŁ500 (for Sodexo employees)
- Cycle to Work scheme
About the role
This is a brand-new opportunity to join Independents by Sodexo – Scotland in a key support role that helps our school sites consistently deliver outstanding food, service and client experience. You’ll work closely with the Senior Account Manager, providing hands-on operational support across a portfolio of independent schools and stepping in to cover and keep things running smoothly when needed.
You’ll be the kind of person who loves variety: relationship-building one minute, troubleshooting the next, then rolling your sleeves up on site to support teams, service standards, workforce planning and reporting.
Where you’ll be based
This is a multi-site Scotland role with regular travel, primarily supporting sites in and around Edinburgh, Perth, St Andrews and Ayrshire (with occasional additional locations and limited UK travel around once per year). You’ll typically spend one day per week at Strathallan School. The rest of the week will flex depending on business needs and site priorities. Hybrid working is possible (typically 1 day per week from home, with more flexibility during the summer months).
What you’ll be doing
- Supporting the Senior Account Manager to deliver operational excellence and strong, long-term client relationships
- Driving continuous improvement across people, systems, processes and service standards
- Building trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders, representing Sodexo professionally at all times
- Supporting managers with HR processes including recruitment, performance, absence and engagement, in line with Sodexo policy
- Coordinating and communicating best practice and initiatives across the district (e.g. marketing activity, projects, WFM)
- Championing Health & Safety, compliance and safeguarding requirements in schools (including PVG and food safety/allergen standards)
- Supporting service delivery with strong admin and reporting—accurate, on time, and to a high standard
- Providing on-site operational cover when required (e.g. absence cover)
- Supporting stock/equipment controls and ensuring services are delivered within budget
- Deputising for the Senior Account Manager when needed
What you’ll bring
- Catering/food services experience is essential
- Confident leading, supporting and motivating teams across multiple sites
- Strong client relationship skills—credible, calm and solutions-focused
- Organised and able to prioritise in a fast-paced, changing environment
- Excellent attention to detail (especially with admin, compliance and reporting)
- Comfortable presenting, training and engaging teams
- IT confident and happy working across multiple systems (e.g. Teams, eProfit, Power BI, workforce management tools)
- Happy to travel regularly and provide on-site support when required (full driving licence preferred; mileage paid)
Why join us?
You’ll be joining a supportive, high-performing team in a role with real variety, visibility and impact—helping shape consistent standards across some fantastic independent school environments. If you enjoy developing people, improving operations, and delivering a fresh-food, high-quality service, you’ll feel right at home.
Our food ethos: You’ll help champion our Fresh Food From Scratch philosophy across the region.
About Sodexo
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, SoTogether, Generations and Origins. We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.
Ready to be part of something greater? Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications.
Regional Business Operations Manager employer: Sodexo
Contact Detail:
Sodexo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Business Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and role thoroughly. Understand their values and how you can contribute to their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they're about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable answering common questions and discussing your experience. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team at Sodexo.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Business Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Regional Business Operations Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in catering and food services, and don’t forget to showcase your relationship-building skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our Fresh Food From Scratch philosophy. Keep it engaging and personal.
Showcase Your Organisational Skills: Since this role involves juggling multiple sites and tasks, make sure to highlight your organisational skills in your application. Give examples of how you've successfully managed priorities in fast-paced environments.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sodexo
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the job description. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and required skills, especially around operational excellence and client relationship management. This will help you tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with what they’re looking for.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a Regional Business Operations Manager, you'll be building relationships with clients and teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully motivated teams or resolved conflicts in the past. Highlighting your interpersonal skills will demonstrate that you're the right fit for their collaborative environment.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like troubleshooting on-site issues or managing HR processes. Think of relevant experiences where you’ve had to think on your feet and provide solutions. This will showcase your problem-solving abilities and adaptability.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready about the company culture, team dynamics, or future projects. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you. Plus, it’s a great way to engage with your interviewers!