At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations in oil & gas catering, ensuring exceptional food and service delivery.
- Company: Join Scotland's leading ethical, family-owned caterer with a focus on quality and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, free meals, enhanced leave, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible travel across Scotland and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in multi-site catering operations and strong leadership abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Contract: Full Time , Permanent Salary: Competitive Hours: 40 per week
As Scotland's leading ethical, family-owned caterer, we take immense pride in our commitment to 'Intrinsically Independent' principles.
Our culinary teams at Thomas Franks Scotland immerse themselves in the bounty of Scottish produce, crafting menus that not only satisfy the palate but also celebrate the distinctive flavours of this magnificent land.
We are seeking an experienced
Operations Manager with a passion for delivering exceptional food, accommodation & soft FM services and operational excellence within the
Oil & Gas catering sector.
The successful candidate will have a proven track record of managing multi-site catering operations within the oil & gas, offshore, energy, or remote site services industry.
They will be passionate about delivering outstanding food quality, maintaining the highest standards of health, safety, and compliance, and building strong relationships with clients, operational teams, and support functions.
Operations Manager , you will be fully accountable for the operational and financial performance of your portfolio, ensuring service excellence, contractual compliance, and commercial success.
You will lead and develop high-performing teams, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and work closely with the Regional Director to support business growth and client retention.
This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused leader who thrives in fast-paced operational environments and understands the unique challenges of delivering catering services within the oil & gas sector.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide operational leadership across multiple oil & gas catering contracts, ensuring consistent delivery of exceptional food and support services.
- Take full responsibility for the profit and loss performance of your portfolio, delivering financial targets while maintaining exceptional service standards.
- Develop and maintain strong client relationships, acting as the primary operational contact and ensuring contractual obligations and service level agreements are consistently achieved.
- Lead, motivate, coach, and develop site management teams to build a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure full compliance with food safety legislation, HACCP principles, Health & Safety regulations, environmental standards, and client-specific operational requirements.
- Support business development activities, including contract mobilisation, retention, and growth opportunities.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), implementing corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives where required.
- Manage labour costs, food costs, procurement, and operational efficiencies to maximise profitability.
- Work collaboratively with support functions including HR, Finance, Procurement, HSE, and Quality Assurance.
- Promote a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with company policies and the high HSE standards expected within the oil & gas industry.
- Candidate Requirements
The successful candidate will demonstrate
- Significant operational management experience within contract catering for the oil & gas, offshore, energy, mining, defence, or remote site services sectors.
- Proven experience managing multi-site catering operations in remote or challenging environments.
- A strong understanding of the operational requirements associated with offshore installations, remote camps, industrial facilities, or energy sector contracts.
- Extensive experience managing client relationships within high-profile, safety-critical environments.
- Excellent commercial acumen with proven responsibility for P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop operational teams.
- Comprehensive knowledge of food safety legislation, HACCP, Health & Safety, and industry compliance standards.
- Experience managing audits, compliance programmes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to engage at all organisational levels.
- Strong organisational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
- Experience of mobilising new contracts and implementing operational improvements is highly desirable.
- Competence using Microsoft Office and operational management systems.
- A flexible approach with the ability to travel regularly between multiple sites across Scotland.
- If you are an experienced
Operations Manager with a background in oil & gas catering and a passion for delivering safe, high-quality services in demanding environments, we would welcome your application.
Benefits
- Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms etc).
- Free meals on duty
- Volunteers leave - up to one day per year.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Recommend a friend bonus.
- Unrivalled individual training and development.
- Well established apprenticeship programme.
- Team & company social events.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Workplace pension.
- Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.
About us
Thomas Franks is a founder led, fresh food catering business with a focus on excellence and service delivered with individuality, passion and style.
We are unique in every approach and our clients, and our people are paramount to our daily success.
Disclaimer Scotland Schools
All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role.
An enhanced PVG, Identity & reference checks (covering the last five years) will form part of the selection process.
As an organisation using the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, Thomas Franks Ltd complies fully with the PVG Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly.
We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and undertake not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure based on conviction or other information revealed.
However, for any post in a school please be aware that any application is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such any criminal conviction, caution or bind-over must be declared.
Diversity and Inclusion at Thomas Franks
We actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion and would like to invite applications from groups who are currently under-represented, because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life.
Operations Manager TF Energy in Aberdeen employer: Thomas Franks Ltd
Join our vibrant independent day and boarding school in Ackworth, where as a Food Service Assistant, you'll be part of a dedicated team catering to 750 students and staff daily. We pride ourselves on a supportive work culture that values employee growth through unrivalled training opportunities, enhanced leave policies, and social events, all while enjoying benefits like free meals on duty and discounts at major retailers. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on professional development, this is an excellent opportunity for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager TF Energy in Aberdeen
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Thomas Franks Ltd. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Thomas Franks Ltd
Don't be shy about reaching out to Thomas Franks Ltd directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager TF Energy in Aberdeen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Thomas Franks Ltd and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thomas Franks Ltd
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
