Deputy Head of Back of House - Excel London

Compass Group; City Of London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering and support services firm is seeking a Deputy Head of Back of House at ExCeL London to manage BOH operations and warehouse procedures. The role involves overseeing costs, ensuring safety compliance, and enhancing team performance. The successful candidate will bring 3-5 years of BOH senior management experience and excellent communication skills. Competitive salary and benefits are included.

Benefits

Private Health Cover

Free staff meals

Job skill enhancement training and courses available

Company pension scheme

Qualifications

• 3-5 years in BOH senior management, ideally within a fast-paced working environment.
• Experienced in leading implementation of change programmes for operational benefits.
• Forklift driving licence is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage BOH operations and warehouse procedures at ExCeL London.
• Oversee warehouse and loading bay areas; maintain supplier relationships.
• Control departmental costs including labour and disposable spend.
• Ensure full compliance with Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) principles.

Skills

Excellent communications skills

Supplier relationship management

Job description

Deputy Head of Back of House

ExCeL London

Up to £50K + Benefits

ROLE PURPOSE

The primary purpose of this role is to manage the Back of House (BOH) operations and warehouse procedures at ExCeL London, within company-designated areas and in alignment with event budgets and deadlines.

Reporting directly to the Head of BOH & Logistics, the Deputy Head of Back of House will play a key role within the department-driving procedures, developing the BOH team, and supporting both the culinary and operational teams.

The Deputy Head of Back of House will oversee the warehouse and loading bay areas, maintain and enhance supplier relationships, and focus on controlling departmental costs-including labour, disposable spend, CCG rentals, and associated losses. They will work alongside the Head of Department to ensure full compliance with Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) principles and guidelines at all times.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage picklist procedures, liaising with the operations and culinary teams; report shortages and propose alternative solutions.
• Conduct quarterly CCG stocktakes, report findings, and justify any discrepancies.
• Maintain a high level of organisation and cleanliness across warehouse spaces, with particular focus on equipment storage.
• Take necessary actions to reduce breakages of china and glassware; monitor losses, log associated costs and provide explanations.
• Oversee goods receiving procedures; promptly report shortages and discrepancies to suppliers and communicate them to relevant departments.
• Manage the return and collection of hired equipment; inform the Head of Department of any potential losses and minimise associated costs.
• Liaise with third‑party suppliers and contractors to ensure effective service delivery.
• Maintain appropriate stock levels of linen, disposables, and chemicals in the warehouse.
• Conduct monthly stocktakes of disposables and chemicals; report and justify any discrepancies.
• Attend event planning meetings as required.
• Conduct regular appraisals, performance reviews, and succession planning activities based on agreed KPIs and result areas.
• Control all operating costs in line with set targets.
• Lead the annual equipment stocktake and report all relevant financial outcomes.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external vendors to secure necessary resources and support.
• Support the Head of BOH & Logistics in strategic planning for Levy Compliance scores, including Signature Self‑Assessment and Signature Assessment conducted by the Levy Signature Team.
• Assist the Head of BOH & Logistics in delivering performance against GPS targets and benchmarks across other Levy venues.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes and standards to enhance BOH operations and quality of delivery.
• Promote compliance with Levy's Signature standards and departmental SOPs.
• Ensure full implementation of health and safety policies and procedures across the department.
• Enforce strict adherence to health and safety principles and rules throughout the team.
• Ensure equipment usage complies with HSE methods at all times.
• Oversee all aspects of the maintenance process, ensuring strict compliance with HSE guidelines.
• Ensure all health and safety training is completed by the operations team in line with their roles and responsibilities.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience

3-5 years in BOH senior management, ideally within a fast pace working environment.

Experienced in leading the implementation of change programmes to deliver operational benefits.

Skills & competencies

Excellent communications skills - able to influence all stakeholder levels.

Supplier relationship management

Personal Attributes

Ability to work well under pressure in a fast‑paced environment.

Calm and structured approach, coupled with resilience and problem‑solving skills.

Demonstrates flexibility and agility.

Lead by example.

Additional Requirements

Forklift driving licence is a plus.

To work on a flexible shift rota according to the needs of the business, this can be allocated across the various operations and in line with the business need.

To support whole management team as required.

To ensure that holidays are taken subject to the needs of the business and not carried forward according to the company policy.

To always act as an ambassador for the company.

Work Enhancements

Competitive salary.

Private Health Cover.

Uniform provided.

Free staff meals.

Job skill enhancement training and courses available.

Company pension scheme.