Assistant Manager

Chartwells Independent; Leeds; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in Leeds seeks an Assistant Manager to support high-volume catering and retail operations. You will oversee multiple teams, ensuring excellent service and financial performance. Responsibilities include managing day-to-day operations, analyzing sales data, and fostering a customer-focused environment. Ideal candidates have experience managing commercial operations, strong people skills, and are financially aware. Join us for great perks like free meals, a contributory pension scheme, and career development opportunities.

Benefits

Free meals

Onsite free car parking

Subsidised onsite facilities

Contributory pension scheme

Qualifications

• Experience managing a commercial operation (£1m+ turnover)
• Experience in multi‑outlet or high‑volume environments
• Ability to interpret sales data

Responsibilities

• Deliver excellent service and lead by example
• Oversee day‑to‑day running of all outlets
• Manage rotas, training, and team briefings
• Support delivery of sales, profit, and labour targets

Skills

People management

Communication skills

Financial awareness

Customer-focused

IT literate

Education

NVQ Level 2 / HND / Management qualification

Job description

Assistant Manager – Catering & Retail Operations

Location: Leeds | Salary: £34,000 | Hours: Mon–Fri, 40 hrs

We’re looking for an experienced and commercially minded Assistant Manager to support the General Manager in running a high‑volume catering and retail operation in Leeds. You’ll oversee teams across a busy restaurant, coffee shop, hospitality service and vending, ensuring excellent service and strong financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver excellent service and lead by example
• Build strong relationships and act on customer feedback
• Support upselling and maintain high front‑of‑house standards
• Oversee day‑to‑day running of all outlets
• Ensure brand standards, hygiene and safety compliance
• Manage rotas, training, team briefings and engagement
• Maintain clean, safe and efficient working environments
• Support delivery of sales, profit and labour targets
• Analyse sales data to drive improvements
• Manage labour budgets, rotas, wastage and cost control
• Work with chefs to cost menus and maintain margins
• Ensure compliance with food safety, hygiene and HSE procedures
• Track and report accidents, incidents and near misses
• Maintain audit‑ready standards

About You

Essential

• Experience managing a commercial operation (£1m+ turnover)
• Strong people management and communication skills
• Financially aware; able to interpret sales data
• Experience in multi‑outlet or high‑volume environments
• Well organised, confident under pressure and IT literate
• Customer‑focused, professional and a proactive team player

Desirable

• NVQ Level 2 / HND / Management qualification
• Experience with variable service peaks
• Experience in high customer‑care environments
• Innovative and able to motivate teams

Why Join Us?

• Free meals
• Onsite free car parking
• Subsidised onsite facilities
• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un‑wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

About Us

Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive – because diversity is our strength!