Education Catering Regional Operations Manager

Caterlink; Essex; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering company in the Essex area is looking for an experienced Operations Manager to oversee a group of 15 schools. This role requires a strong background in catering and operational management, client relationship skills, and the ability to lead teams effectively. The successful candidate will manage day-to-day operations and ensure adherence to key performance indicators while fostering a positive working environment. This is a full-time position with a competitive salary and various benefits including a performance-related bonus and private healthcare.

Benefits

Competitive salary plus performance-related bonus

Monthly car allowance or company car

33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays

Workplace Pension Scheme

Private health care with BUPA

Fully expensed company laptop and mobile phone

Virtual GP for you and your family

Employee Discount Platform

Employee Assistance Program

Blended learning program including qualifications

Qualifications

• Previous catering and operational management experience is essential.
• Experience in managing multiple sites is preferred.
• Successful applicants will need to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure.

Responsibilities

• Manage a group of 15 schools in Essex within a one-hour radius.
• Lead and motivate teams, develop client relationships.
• Focus on KPIs: Health & Safety, Retention, Quality, and Finance.

Skills

Catering management

Operational management

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Commercial acumen

Job description

Overview

We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to manage a group of 15 schools in Essex which are within a one-hour radius (approximately). This will be a mix of primary schools, secondary schools and colleges. Previous catering and operational management experience is essential. This is a 52-week role working Monday – Friday.

At Caterlink, we very much believe that people work for people, so we want you to have bags of confidence and credibility, be able to lead and motivate and really develop your teams, bring them along with you and create strong client relationships across your portfolio of schools. Being commercially astute is also essential for this role and in addition to this you will need to be prepared to roll your sleeves up and help the teams when you need to.

We believe that living by our KPIs is key to success - Health & Safety, Retention, Quality and Finance. In addition to this, if you believe that People, Perception, Passion and Pride could also enhance your growth, success and development then this may be the role for you and we would love to hear from you!

Successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure. Salary dependant on experience

Caterlink strives to always provide a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all our teams where every individual is treated with respect, integrity and has the opportunity to grow and be treated equally and with fairness at all times.

Responsibilities

• Manage a group of 15 schools in Essex within a one-hour radius, including primary schools, secondary schools and colleges.
• Lead and motivate teams, develop client relationships across the portfolio, and support the teams when needed.
• Operate with a focus on KPIs: Health & Safety, Retention, Quality and Finance.

Qualifications

• Previous catering and operational management experience is essential.
• Experience in multi-site operations and a willingness to work a 52-week, Monday–Friday schedule.
• Successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure.

Caterlink strives to always provide a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all our teams where every individual is treated with respect, integrity and has the opportunity to grow and be treated equally and with fairness at all times.

Benefits

There are many advantages to working for us including :

• Competitive salary plus a performance-related bonus
• Monthly car allowance or company car
• 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays
• You will be eligible to join our Workplace Pension Scheme with Aviva
• Private health care with BUPA
• Fully expensed company laptop + mobile phone
• Virtual GP for you and your family (eligibility rules apply)
• We offer you access to our Employee Discount Platform where you can make great savings at supermarkets, cinema, restaurants as well as holiday discounts, family days out and many more!
• Our Employee Assistance Program and Virtual GP benefits are there for you and your family to use free of charge at any time
• With Caterlink you have the opportunity to a blended learning programme that can include formal qualifications including Apprenticeships, classroom training, eLearning and on the job training to support and encourage your development and enable you to be the best you can be. Everyone who joins us is provided with an induction where they learn more about us and enable them to be the best they can be. We invest in development opportunities and are always looking to recruit, train and retain the best people for our own future talent and your own future development.
• As our core business is mainly in term time, the school breaks do enable the opportunity to catch up and plan for the next term, which isn’t always a luxury in a business operating 52 weeks of the year