At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and integrate diverse services in catering and hospitality operations.
- Company: Somerset Larder, committed to nourishing the community with local produce.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to shape the future of food service.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on excellence and collaboration in the catering sector.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while leading innovative culinary operations.
- Qualifications: Proven senior leadership experience and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Somerset Larder produces fresh food and meals to go using locally sourced ingredients from all over the west country. Our philosophy is to nourish the community with amazing produce, to employ local people and to train apprentices for future careers in the catering and hospitality sector.
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Operations Director to lead and integrate a diverse portfolio of services, including logistics, facilities, projects, catering, and culinary operation. This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for operational performance, commercial outcomes, and service excellence.
You will play a critical role in shaping and delivering strategy, while ensuring seamless alignment between operational infrastructure and culinary delivery. You will bring strong commercial acumen, proven leadership of multi-disciplinary teams, and the ability to operate effectively within complex, client-driven environments.
As Operations Director, you will lead the end-to-end delivery of all operational services, ensuring they are efficient, compliant, and aligned to business objectives. You will be responsible for driving profitability, enhancing performance, and delivering exceptional client and customer outcomes. A key focus is the integrated leadership of both operational and culinary functions, ensuring effective collaboration between logistics, production, and service delivery to achieve a best-in-class catering operation.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the end-to-end delivery of all operational services.
- Ensure services are efficient, compliant, and aligned to business objectives.
- Drive profitability and enhance performance.
- Deliver exceptional client and customer outcomes.
- Integrate leadership of both operational and culinary functions.
- Ensure effective collaboration between logistics, production, and service delivery.
- Proven experience operating at senior leadership or Director level within a complex operational environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams, including both operational and culinary/food production functions.
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering financial and operational performance.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into effective execution.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
- Significant senior leadership experience in operations within catering, hospitality, facilities, or a related sector.
- Strong knowledge of Health and Safety regulations.
Operations Director employer: South West Larder
Somerset Larder is an exceptional employer that prioritises community engagement and employee development, making it a fantastic place for the Operations Director role. With a commitment to sourcing local ingredients and training apprentices, the company fosters a collaborative work culture that values innovation and excellence in catering services. Employees benefit from a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the hospitality sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the catering and hospitality sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups to meet potential employers and learn about job openings that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and improved operational performance. This will help them see you as the perfect fit for the Operations Director role.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you find a company you're keen on, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out directly through our website, express your interest, and highlight how your experience aligns with their needs. It shows initiative and can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s values and recent projects. Tailor your responses to demonstrate how your vision aligns with their goals, especially in terms of community engagement and operational excellence. This will make you a standout candidate!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Food:When writing your application, let your love for fresh, locally sourced food shine through. We want to see how your values align with our philosophy of nourishing the community and supporting local producers.
Highlight Your Leadership Experience:Make sure to showcase your experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and manage diverse groups, so share specific examples of how you've done this in the past.
Demonstrate Commercial Acumen:We need an Operations Director who understands the financial side of things. Include details about how you've driven profitability and improved operational performance in previous roles to show us you mean business.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the key responsibilities and qualifications mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at South West Larder
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Somerset Larder's mission and values. Understand their focus on local sourcing and community nourishment. This will help you align your experience with their philosophy and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully led multi-disciplinary teams in the past. Highlight instances where your leadership directly contributed to operational efficiency or improved service delivery. This will demonstrate your capability to lead at a senior level.
✨Be a Strategic Thinker
Think about how you can translate your strategic vision into actionable plans. Be ready to discuss how you've previously shaped and delivered strategies that enhanced performance and profitability. This will showcase your ability to think critically and act decisively.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to discuss your experience in stakeholder management. Share examples of how you've influenced decisions at various levels within an organisation. This will highlight your communication skills and ability to build relationships, which are crucial for the Operations Director role.
