Catering Operations Manager

Network Catering; Tyseley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering service provider in the West Midlands is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee catering operations in primary schools. This role requires strong leadership and multi-site management skills to ensure high-quality service and compliance with food standards. The ideal candidate will have a background in contract catering, preferably within education, and a passion for delivering nutritious meals. Competitive salary with benefits including a company car or allowance, private healthcare, and development opportunities.

Benefits

Company Car or Car Allowance

Private Healthcare

Pension Scheme

Career Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in contract catering operations, ideally within the education sector.
• Strong leadership and people management skills across multi-site operations.
• Excellent understanding of school food standards, safeguarding, and compliance.
• Financial acumen with experience managing budgets and KPIs.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across multiple sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage catering operations across multiple school sites.
• Build strong relationships with school leadership teams and stakeholders.
• Drive operational excellence, food quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety, Food Hygiene, and Safeguarding standards.
• Manage budgets and financial reporting.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and professional development of teams.
• Lead on innovation and menu development.
• Conduct regular audits and site visits.

Skills

Leadership

People Management

Financial Acumen

Understanding of School Food Standards

Education

Relevant qualifications in Catering, Hospitality, or Business Management

Job description

Operations Manager - Education Catering (West Midlands Area)
Salary: Competitive + Bonus Scheme

Benefits: Company Car or Car Allowance | Private Healthcare | Pension Scheme | Career Development Opportunities

About the Role

The ideal candidate will have proven multi-site experience as an Operations Manager within the contract catering industry, ideally within the education catering sector. We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Operations Manager to lead and oversee catering operations across a trust of 20 primary schools in the West Midlands area. This is a pivotal leadership role for a strategic thinker with a hands‑on approach, passionate about delivering high‑quality, nutritious meals that make a difference in the lives of children every day.

You’ll take responsibility for the overall performance of catering services, ensuring excellence in food quality, compliance, and customer satisfaction, while driving innovation and efficiency across all sites.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage catering operations across multiple school sites, ensuring consistent service delivery and compliance.
• Build strong relationships with school leadership teams, trust stakeholders, and on‑site catering teams.
• Drive operational excellence, food quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure all sites meet Health & Safety, Food Hygiene, and Safeguarding standards.
• Manage budgets, cost controls, and financial reporting.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and professional development of catering teams.
• Lead on innovation and menu development in line with school needs and nutritional guidelines.
• Conduct regular audits and site visits to maintain standards and identify areas for improvement.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience in contract catering operations, ideally within the education sector.
• Strong leadership and people management skills across multi‑site operations.
• Excellent understanding of school food standards, safeguarding, and compliance.
• Financial acumen with experience managing budgets and KPIs.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across multiple sites.

Desirable

• Experience working with academy trusts or local authorities.
• Relevant qualifications in Catering, Hospitality, or Business Management.
• Knowledge of sustainability and allergen management in school catering.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of catering across a growing network of schools. You'll join a forward‑thinking organisation that values innovation, collaboration, and professional growth.