Operations Manager

Contemporary Catering; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Contemporary Catering in Melbourne is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee catering operations across multiple sites within our Victorian team. You will lead site-based teams, ensure service excellence, and maintain compliance with food safety and WHS standards.

This hands-on role requires coaching and developing staff, rostering to meet operational requirements and budgets, and driving continuous improvements across locations to deliver high-quality meals and outstanding client

Qualifications

• Experience in catering or hospitality operations management.
• Chef experience highly regarded.
• Strong leadership and people management skills with frontline teams.
• Sound knowledge of catering operations, food safety and compliance in high-risk environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage site-based catering teams across multiple locations.
• Ensure sites are staffed, with rosters meeting operational requirements and labour budgets.
• Recruit key roles as required to support business needs.
• Support and develop site staff through coaching, training, and regular feedback.
• Maintain high standards of hospitality service, meal quality, and food presentation.
• Ensure a high level of compliance with site-based requirements, including food safety and WHS.
• Conduct site visits and audits, and act as the escalation point for operational issues.
• Monitor site performance and implement continuous improvements.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Catering operations

Food safety

WHS compliance

Staff development

Autonomy

Client relations

Job description

• Key leadership opportunity, overseeing multiple locations
• Work with a highly supportive, inclusive and friendly team

Contemporary Catering is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee catering operations across multiple sites within our Victorian team. You will be responsible for leading site-based teams, predominantly Melbourne metro based, ensuring service excellence, delivering a high-level hospitality service model and maintaining compliance with food safety and WHS standards.

This is a hands-on role, supporting teams on the ground and ensuring smooth, consistent operations, with leading by example a key attribute of the position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage site-based catering teams across multiple locations
• Ensure sites are appropriately staffed, with rosters meeting operational requirements and labour budgets
• Recruit key roles as required to support business needs
• Support and develop site staff through coaching, training, and regular feedback
• Maintain high standards of hospitality service, meal quality, and food presentation
• Ensure a high level of compliance with site-based requirements, including food safety and WHS
• Conduct site visits and audits, and act as the escalation point for operational issues
• Monitor site performance and implement continuous improvements

What You Bring

• Experience in catering or hospitality operations management
• Chef experience highly regarded
• Strong leadership and people management skills with frontline teams
• Sound knowledge of catering operations, food safety, and compliance requirements in a high-risk food environment (e.g. aged care)
• A practical, organised, and solutions-focused approach
• Experience managing business operations within set parameters
• Ability to build strong relationships with staff and client representatives
• Ability to work autonomously

Why Join Us

• Lead and develop frontline catering teams across multiple client sites
• Hands-on, dynamic role offering variety and responsibility
• Opportunity to make a direct impact on service quality and client satisfaction
• Strong family-owned business with genuine family values

We believe good food is fresh food. That’s why our food is prepared fresh on-site every day by one of our Qualified Chefs.

Fresh is just the start though – our menus are constantly evolving, with our culinary team and dietary experts meticulously designing seasonal menus optimised for nutrient content.

But the truth is that one size never fits all, so our real difference is that our chefs tailor for individual residents’ tastes and cultural differences.

With over 1000 recipes on our menu and custom software that manages personal preferences and clinical needs, there will always be something for everyone.

Add it all up and our obsession with freshness means you’re left with happier, healthier residents.

Source: this is an extract from the company’s own website