Multi-Outlet Food Operations Leader

WHSmith Australia; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

WHSmith Australia is seeking an Operations Manager - Food to lead and develop the Food by WHSmith team across the estate. You will drive customer experience, sales and service while ensuring safe, legal, and compliant operations.

You will partner with stakeholders, manage budgets, procurement, stock, HACCP, and reporting, and coach managers to achieve consistent performance and margin growth. The role requires travel to stores as needed and a hands-on leadership approach.

Qualifications

• Hands-on leader who can coach and develop teams to deliver great service.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a food or large-scale retail environment.
• Experience leading busy, multi-outlet operations with focus on day‑to‑day service delivery and client requirements.
• Strong commercial capability and understanding of profitable operations and margin.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with clients, hospital administrations and stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel to stores as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop direct reports through regular one-to-one meetings, clear priorities, constructive feedback, mentoring and guidance.
• Work with the People Team to identify development needs and deliver training programs building capability across Food by WHSmith.
• Set clear annual performance and development goals, support career growth and succession planning.
• Lead the Food by WHSmith operation and deliver consistent performance across the estate.
• Oversee stock control, recipe compliance and levers for margin delivery and growth.
• Analyse data to monitor performance, identify risks and plan improvements.
• Provide weekly and monthly reports to relevant stakeholders.
• Liaise and negotiate with stakeholders to support customer satisfaction and build partnerships.
• Ensure compliance with WHSmith and food-safety policies and Code of Conduct.
• Develop and implement the business plan and monitor developments affecting future contracts.
• Participate in annual budget submissions and take accountability for financial performance.
• Maintain WHS practices and advise employees on safe working practices.
• Provide food-safety leadership and HACCP compliance.
• Review and develop strategies to maintain customer satisfaction and partnerships across Operations.

Skills

People leadership

Coaching

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Budgeting

Customer service orientation

Tools

HACCP knowledge

Job description

WHSmith Australia is seeking an Operations Manager - Food to lead and develop the Food by WHSmith team across the estate. You will drive customer experience, sales and service while ensuring safe, legal, and compliant operations.

You will partner with stakeholders, manage budgets, procurement, stock, HACCP, and reporting, and coach managers to achieve consistent performance and margin growth. The role requires travel to stores as needed and a hands-on leadership approach.