At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and motivate teams across schools, ensuring top-notch catering operations.
- Company: Caterlink, a leading education sector catering specialist with over 20 years of experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, generous holiday, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Enjoy a diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the education sector while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in catering and operational management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Caterlink is the education sector catering specialist. For over 20 years, the Company has delivered fresh food solutions to pupils and staff at Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Colleges across the UK. The company caters more than 1,000,000 meals a week. Our “Fresh Food Policy” is the foundation of our success and growth in the market coupled with a desire to truly deliver on the promises we make to our clients and support our site-based teams.
We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to manage a group of schools, which will be a mix of primary schools, secondary schools and colleges. Previous catering and operational management experience is essential. This is a 52-week role working Monday – Friday.
At Caterlink, we very much believe that people work for people, so we want you to have bags of confidence and credibility, be able to lead and motivate and really develop your teams, bring them along with you and create strong client relationships across your portfolio of schools. Being commercially astute is also essential for this role and in addition to this you will need to be prepared to roll your sleeves up and help the teams when you need to.
We believe that living by our KPIs is key to success - Health & Safety, Retention, Quality and Finance. In addition to this, if you believe that People, Perception, Passion and Pride could also enhance your growth, success and development then this may be the role for you and we would love to hear from you!
Successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure. Salary dependant on experience.
Caterlink strives to always provide a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all our teams where every individual is treated with respect, integrity and has the opportunity to grow and be treated equally and with fairness at all times.
There are many advantages to working for us including:
- Competitive salary plus a performance-related bonus
- Monthly car allowance or company car
- 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays
- You will be eligible to join our Workplace Pension Scheme with Aviva
- Private health care with BUPA
- Fully expensed company laptop + mobile phone
- Virtual GP for you and your family (eligibility rules apply)
- Access to our Employee Discount Platform for savings at supermarkets, cinema, restaurants, holiday discounts, family days out and more!
- Employee Assistance Program and Virtual GP benefits available free of charge for you and your family
- Opportunity for a blended learning programme including formal qualifications, classroom training, eLearning and on-the-job training
- Induction provided to learn more about us and enable you to be the best you can be
- Investment in development opportunities to recruit, train and retain the best people for our future talent
As our core business is mainly in term time, the school breaks do enable the opportunity to catch up and plan for the next term, which isn’t always a luxury in a business operating 52 weeks of the year.
Caterlink - Operations Manager in Bedford employer: WSH Group
Caterlink is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where every team member is valued and encouraged to grow. With competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and comprehensive benefits including private healthcare and a robust employee assistance programme, we prioritise the well-being of our staff. Our commitment to professional development through blended learning opportunities ensures that you can thrive in your role as Operations Manager while making a meaningful impact in the education sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Caterlink - Operations Manager in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education and catering sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings at Caterlink!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Caterlink’s values and their Fresh Food Policy. Show us you’re passionate about delivering quality and can lead teams effectively. Tailor your examples to highlight your operational management experience!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply; engage with us! Follow Caterlink on social media, comment on our posts, and share your thoughts on our initiatives. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to demonstrate your commercial acumen. Think about how you can contribute to our KPIs like Health & Safety and Quality. Prepare some ideas on how you can help improve these areas when you get the chance to chat with us!
We think you need these skills to ace Caterlink - Operations Manager in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your previous catering and operational management experience. We want to see how you've led teams and managed operations in similar environments, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Personable:Remember, we believe that people work for people! Use your application to showcase your confidence and ability to build strong relationships. Share examples of how you've motivated teams and created a positive work environment.
Demonstrate Commercial Awareness:Being commercially astute is key for this role. Include any relevant experiences where you’ve made decisions that positively impacted finances or quality. Show us you understand the business side of operations!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at WSH Group
✨Know Your Catering Basics
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of catering operations, especially in the education sector. Understand the importance of fresh food policies and how they impact service delivery. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Caterlink values strong leadership, so be prepared to share examples of how you've motivated teams in the past. Think of specific situations where you’ve led by example or turned a struggling team around. This will demonstrate your ability to inspire and develop others.
✨Understand the KPIs
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators like Health & Safety, Retention, Quality, and Finance. Be ready to discuss how you’ve met or exceeded these metrics in previous roles. This shows that you’re not just aware of them but can actively contribute to achieving them.
✨Be Ready to Roll Up Your Sleeves
Caterlink appreciates hands-on managers who are willing to get involved. Prepare to discuss times when you’ve jumped in to help your team during busy periods. This will highlight your commitment to teamwork and your understanding of the operational challenges faced in catering.
