Assistant Group Manager, School Catering Ops (Oxford)

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Oxford; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous annual leave

Life assurance and pension scheme

Benefits app with discounts

In-house events and culinary showcases

Job summary

Aramark is seeking an experienced Assistant Group Manager to support operational leadership across a portfolio of secondary school contracts in the Oxford area. You will report to the Group Operations Manager and drive excellence in catering and support services while nurturing client relationships.

You will lead and develop site teams, manage budgets, ensure health and safety compliance, and help deliver high-quality experiences for students and staff.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing multi-site operations within catering, facilities management, hospitality or education environments.
• Strong leadership and people management skills to motivate and develop teams.
• Solid understanding of health and safety legislation, compliance standards and safeguarding.
• Experience managing budgets, costs and achieving operational/financial targets.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication with clients and colleagues at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Support the operational management of multiple secondary school contracts, ensuring services are delivered safely and efficiently.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Headteachers, School Business Managers and client stakeholders.
• Conduct site visits, audits and compliance checks to ensure health, safety and safeguarding standards.
• Assist in managing budgets, monitoring labour and food costs, and identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Lead, coach and develop Site Managers and operational teams, including recruitment and performance management.
• Monitor service quality across catering and support services to meet KPIs and contract specs.
• Support mobilisation of new contracts, service improvement projects and operational initiatives.
• Analyse performance data, prepare business reviews and contribute to continuous improvement and growth.

Skills

Leadership

Multi-site operations

Stakeholder management

Budget control

People development

Driving licence

Job description

Aramark is seeking an experienced Assistant Group Manager to support operational leadership across a portfolio of secondary school contracts in the Oxford area. You will report to the Group Operations Manager and drive excellence in catering and support services while nurturing client relationships.

You will lead and develop site teams, manage budgets, ensure health and safety compliance, and help deliver high-quality experiences for students and staff.