CPU Operations Manager - London

Thomas Franks Ltd; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wider wallet scheme (discounts atmajor

Free meals on duty

Volunteers leave - up to one day pery

Enhanced maternity, paternity and ad­p

Cycle to work scheme.

Recommend a friend bonus.

Unrivalled individual training and dvl

Well established apprenticeship progr

Team & company social events.

Employee assistance programme.

Workplace pension.

Excellent career progression within a

Job summary

Thomas Franks London is seeking an experienced Central Production Unit (CPU) Operations Manager to lead a high‑performing central production operation, delivering outstanding food quality, service and innovation for a portfolio of premier clients across London.

You will combine strong operational leadership with a commercial mindset, driving growth, building client relationships and developing teams to sustain excellent food experiences and a positive, high‑performing culture.

Qualifications

• Accomplished operations leader with proven experience in contract catering, hospitality or a comparable food production environment.
• Strong understanding of central production operations with excellent commercial awareness and a passion for outstanding food experiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead CPU Operations: oversee the central production operation from kitchen production and food quality through to logistics, distribution and client relationships.
• Drive Commercial Growth: identify and develop new commercial opportunities, build client partnerships and implement revenue growth strategies.
• Develop Creative Concepts: collaborate with culinary and creativity teams to develop menus and food concepts in response to client needs and trends.
• Manage Financial Performance: take accountability for CPU P&L, budgets, forecasting and cost control.
• Champion Culinary Excellence: maintain highest standards of food quality, safety and compliance.
• Build Client Relationships: develop trusted relationships with clients, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Lead and Develop People: inspire and develop teams, foster accountability and continuous improvement.
• Drive Operational Excellence: refine production processes to improve productivity, reduce waste and ensure service standards.
• Support Innovation and Brand Development: work with Creativity Team to bring fresh ideas to life.
• Champion Compliance and Best Practice: ensure compliance with food safety, health & safety and regulatory requirements.
• Deliver Positive Impact: lead by example with responsible business practices.

Job description

We are looking for an experienced and commercially driven Central Production Unit (CPU) Operations Manager with a genuine passion for food, innovation and delivering the highest standards of quality and service.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a high-performing central production operation, supporting an exclusive portfolio of high-calibre clients across London. The successful candidate will combine strong operational leadership with a creative, entrepreneurial mindset, driving growth, identifying new commercial opportunities and developing exciting concepts that continually enhance and expand our offering.

You will be passionate about contemporary fresh food, operational excellence and building exceptional client relationships. A natural leader, you will enjoy inspiring and developing people, collaborating with culinary teams and creating a positive, motivating culture where quality, innovation and commercial success go hand in hand.

Working as part of our exceptional leadership team, you will play a key role in shaping the future of the CPU, ensuring operational efficiency, outstanding food standards and seamless service delivery, while identifying opportunities to add value, strengthen partnerships and grow the business.

• Lead CPU Operations: Oversee the entire central production operation, from kitchen production and food quality through to logistics, distribution and client relationships, ensuring exceptional standards, efficiency and seamless service delivery.
• Drive Commercial Growth: Identify and develop new commercial opportunities, build strong client partnerships and implement strategies to grow revenue, increase profitability and expand the business.
• Develop Creative Concepts: Work closely with our culinary and creativity teams to develop innovative menus, introduce new products and food concepts, and find exciting ways to evolve and expand our offering in response to client needs and emerging market trends.
• Manage Financial Performance: Take full accountability for the CPU's P&L, budgets, forecasting, cost control and financial targets, balancing commercial performance with outstanding food quality and service.
• Champion Culinary Excellence: Maintain the highest standards of food quality, consistency, presentation, food safety and compliance, ensuring our products reflect the expectations of our discerning client base.
• Build Exceptional Client Relationships: Develop trusted, professional relationships with clients, suppliers and internal stakeholders, delivering outstanding customer service and proactively identifying opportunities to enhance the client experience.
• Lead and Develop People: Inspire, motivate and develop the team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and pride in everything we do.
• Drive Operational Excellence: Review and refine production processes, systems and procedures to improve productivity, minimise waste, maximise efficiency and ensure consistent delivery against agreed service standards.
• Support Innovation and Brand Development: Explore creative approaches to food development, presentation, marketing and merchandising, working collaboratively with our Creativity Team to bring fresh ideas to life.
• Champion Compliance and Best Practice: Ensure all operations meet relevant food safety, health and safety, employment and regulatory requirements, maintaining robust processes and a proactive approach to risk management.
• Deliver Positive Impact: Lead by example, adding value through thoughtful leadership, responsible business practices and a commitment to making a positive difference every day.

You will be an accomplished operations leader with proven experience in contract catering, hospitality or a comparable food production environment. You will bring a strong understanding of central production operations, excellent commercial awareness and a passion for creating outstanding food experiences.

You will be equally comfortable managing the detail of day-to-day operations and looking at the bigger picture, identifying opportunities to innovate, develop new business and take our offering to the next level.

At Thomas Franks London, we don't just cater; we craft exceptional, food-focused experiences tailored just for you. With our commitment to openness and transparency, you can trust that every aspect of our service is handled with care and expertise.

Thomas Franks London is a chef-led business. To us, this means boundless creativity, energy, passion and fun. Our inclusive culture grows talent within, allowing freedom for our people to feed their ambitions. Delivering tasty, flavour-packed food dish after dish is only possible through our meticulously curated London Larder with access to the prime pick of the city and its surrounding produce., Thomas Franks is a founder led, fresh food catering business with a focus on excellence and service delivered with individuality, passion and style. We are unique in every approach and our clients, and our people are paramount to our daily success.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role.

Diversity and Inclusion at Thomas Franks

We actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion and would like to invite applications from groups who are currently under-represented, because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life.

• Wider wallet scheme (discounts at major retailers, restaurants, gyms etc).
• Free meals on duty
• Volunteers leave - up to one day per year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Recommend a friend bonus.
• Unrivalled individual training and development.
• Well established apprenticeship programme.
• Team & company social events.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Workplace pension.
• Excellent career progression within a leading independent contract caterer.