Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Contract: Education
Location: Chichester, Sussex with regional travel
Hours of Work: 37.5
Contract Type: Permanent

Our client, a leading provider of facilities services in the UK, is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee a group of school catering locations, ensuring food services are delivered safely, consistently, and to a high standard.

This is a key operational leadership role responsible for maintaining service quality, compliance, and profitability across multiple education sites. Working closely with site teams and stakeholders, the successful candidate will drive operational excellence while ensuring contractual obligations, budgets, and performance targets are achieved.

Job Description

The Operations Manager will build and maintain strong relationships with schools and key stakeholders, supporting the delivery of high-quality catering services. The role requires regular travel between locations and a proactive approach to continuous improvement, team development, and customer satisfaction.

Working closely with site teams and the client, you will lead operational performance across multiple locations, drive continuous improvement, and ensure budgets, KPIs, and contractual commitments are achieved.

Travel between sites is required, and a full UK driving licence is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operation of multiple school catering sites.
• Ensure food services are delivered safely, consistently, and to a high standard.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and maintain company standards across all locations.
• Deliver and exceed agreed budgets and KPIs, with responsibility for Profit & Loss performance.
• Develop account management and contingency plans to achieve business objectives.
• Lead, motivate, and develop teams across multiple sites, supporting succession planning and talent development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, parents, pupils, public health teams, internal teams, and suppliers.
• Take ownership of health and safety and food safety performance, ensuring compliance with food policies and addressing audit or inspection findings effectively.

Person Specification

• Previous experience as an Area Manager or at an equivalent level.
• Proven multi-site management experience.
• Food and hospitality background, with education catering experience preferred.
• Strong experience managing budgets and Profit & Loss accounts.
• Demonstrable leadership and people management capability.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness.
• Full UK driving licence and ability to travel regularly between locations.

Benefits

• Car/Car Allowance (Band 3).
• Healthcare.