Assistant Operations Manager

Restaurant Associates; Old Woking; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality provider in the UK is seeking an experienced Assistant Operations Manager to support the Operations Manager at their RHS Garden Wisley venue. This role focuses on managing daily operations, ensuring food quality and service standards align with client expectations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food service and team management, with a proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement. Competitive benefits include annual leave, free meals, and wellness programs.

Benefits

20 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Free meals on duty

Free on-site parking

Exclusive travel discounts

Access to wellness, mindfulness, and fitness classes

Digital GP services

Up to 44% off cinema tickets

Contributory pension scheme

Career Pathways and MyLearning development programmes

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing high-performing teams across multiple sites.
• Demonstrated success in operational management roles.
• Strong background in food service or hospitality operations.
• IT and computer literate.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for food quality and guest experience.
• Ensure high-quality execution through effective communication.
• Identify opportunities for enhancement and implement improvements.
• Support robust auditing processes for compliance.
• Promote a customer-centric culture.
• Collaborate with the team to deliver innovative service models.

Skills

Team Management

Operational Management

Customer Service

Process Improvement

Tools

Digital Tools

Job description

We're looking for an experienced catering professional, that has worked in hospitality or contract catering previously, to join us as our Assistant Operations Manager at the prestigious RHS Garden Wisley, located in Woking. As the Assistant Operations Manager, you will be responsible for supporting the Operations Manager in managing and optimising the day‑to‑day operations of the retail hospitality outlets at RHS Garden Wisley, one of Restaurant Associates' flagship venues. This role requires that all activities run efficiently and effectively in line with company objectives and client expectations. This role focuses on operational excellence, process improvement, and team performance to support the delivery of exceptional service and high operational standards. The Assistant Operations Manager will support the Operations Manager to oversee staffing, training, inventory management, and service delivery to maintain smooth business operations. They will monitor key performance indicators, implement cost control measures, and support financial targets through efficient resource management. Working closely with the Head of Operations, clients, and internal stakeholders, the Assistant Operations Manager will contribute to strategic initiatives and continuous improvement efforts that enhance customer satisfaction and business performance. This position requires strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem‑solving. The Assistant Operations Manager will support the Operations Manager to ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations, uphold brand and service standards, and foster a positive, productive work environment for all team members. Why Join Us? At Restaurant Associates, we believe in celebrating individuality and nurturing talent. As Assistant Operations Manager, you'll be supported by an experienced Operations Manager to deliver outstanding customer service and learn a variety of new approaches.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to ensure all aspects of food quality, service standards, and guest experience consistently align with Restaurant Associates' values, client expectations, and operational performance benchmarks at RHS Garden Wisley.
• Ensure consistent, high‑quality execution through structured communication, team alignment, and robust coaching and development programmes.
• Identify opportunities for enhancement, address root causes of underperformance, and implement sustainable improvements.
• Support Operations Manager on robust auditing processes, including guest feedback analysis and mystery diner assessments, to ensure full compliance and ongoing performance improvement.
• Embed a customer‑centric culture that exceeds expectations, enhances satisfaction, and strengthens brand loyalty for both Restaurant Associates and RHS.
• Support and oversee the review and refinement of service workflows to improve efficiency, reduce friction, and maximise capacity while maintaining premium quality and service standards.
• Promote accountability, empowerment, and continuous learning through targeted training and development initiatives.
• Collaborate with your team to identify and deliver innovative food concepts, service models, and operational enhancements that elevate the guest experience and drive commercial growth at RHS Wisley.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing high-performing teams, driving results, engagement, and accountability across multiple sites or operational areas.
• Demonstrated success in operational management roles, overseeing day-to-day delivery, service standards, and process efficiency.
• Strong background in food service or related hospitality operations, applying industry best practices to optimise performance.
• IT and computer literate, utilising digital tools and systems to streamline operations and reporting.

Restaurant Associates is a leading premium hospitality provider with an ethos drawn from our history of fine and high-quality dining in London and New York. Within our venues team, we provide catering and hospitality services to some of the most iconic visitor attractions and destinations in the UK including the Imperial War Museum London, Glyndebourne Opera House, Knebworth House, Design Museum, Whipsnade Zoo and many more. Within these amazing venues we operate a host of bespoke cafés and restaurants, as well as delivering private events ranging from small meetings to large-scale ground events of up to 1000 people. You can find a full list of our venues on our website. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, diverse, fun, and dynamic place to work with opportunities to collaborate with a wide range of teams plus a commitment to putting our people first. Restaurant Associates is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a business, we are committed to sustainability-led practices and are proud to have achieved 3 stars with the Sustainable Restaurant Association's Food Made Good Programme.

Benefits

• 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Free meals on duty
• Free on-site parking
• Exclusive travel discounts
• Access to wellness, mindfulness, and fitness classes
• Digital GP services for you and your family
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets
• Contributory pension scheme
• Career Pathways and MyLearning development programmes