General Manager

Compass Group UK; Grantham; On-site; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a dynamic General Manager to lead operations at a military barracks. This high-impact role involves overseeing multiple service lines, including catering and facilities management, while ensuring operational excellence and exceptional service delivery. You'll manage a diverse team, drive continuous improvement, and maintain key relationships with clients and stakeholders. With a focus on compliance and financial performance, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a fast-paced environment. Join a company that values customer service and inclusivity, and take your career to new heights.

Benefits

Free meal or equivalent subsidy

Exclusive travel discounts

Discounts on groceries

Access to digital GP

Up to 44% off cinema tickets

Cash rewards on spending

Free wellness and exercise classes

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programs

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in a Soft FM or foodservice operational role.
• Strong commercial acumen with previous P&L accountability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire management and frontline staff across Soft FM services.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety regulations and MOD standards.

Skills

Leadership in Soft FM

P&L Accountability

Stakeholder Management

Health and Safety Compliance

Operational Efficiency

Tools

CRM Systems

Web-based Communication Tools

Job description

General Manager - Prince William of Gloucester Barracks

Location: Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, Grantham

Salary: £39,054 Per Annum

Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday-Friday, Occasional Weekends

Reports to: Operations Director

Direct Reports: 4 Department Managers | Oversight of 50 Staff

Services: Catering, Hospitality, Facilities & Retail

About the Role

We're looking for a dynamic and experienced General Manager to lead operations at Gamecock Barracks. This is a high-impact leadership role, overseeing multiple service lines across Catering, Hospitality, Facilities Management, and Retail. You'll manage key relationships with our clients—Army personnel and Ministry of Defence stakeholders—while driving operational excellence and exceptional service delivery.

You’ll lead a team of 4 departmental managers and oversee approximately 70 team members, ensuring consistent quality, compliance, and efficiency across all service areas.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead, coach, and inspire your management team and frontline staff to deliver exceptional results across all Soft FM services.
2. Manage client and stakeholder relationships effectively, always acting with commercial awareness and professionalism.
3. Ensure full compliance with company policies, health & safety regulations (HACCP, Risk Assessments, Incident Reporting), and MOD standards.
4. Drive continuous improvement in service delivery, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
5. Manage budgets, oversee Profit & Loss performance, and ensure financial targets are met or exceeded.
6. Work closely with strategic partners, subcontractors, and clients to ensure contractual KPIs and service expectations are achieved.
7. Implement and maintain CRM and retention plans in collaboration with the Regional Manager.

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

1. Proven leadership experience in a Soft FM, foodservice, or similar operational role.
2. Experience managing a diverse, multi-functional team in a fast-paced environment.
3. Strong commercial acumen with previous P&L accountability.
4. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
5. Demonstrable success in growing organic sales and improving service delivery.
6. Strong understanding of health and safety protocols and operational compliance.

Desirable:

1. Military or Defence sector experience, or working knowledge of MOD contracts.
2. Project/change management capabilities.
3. Strong IT literacy and comfort with web-based communication tools.
4. Experience in hospitality, food production, or facilities management operations.

Benefits

• Free meal or equivalent subsidy while working
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com, and more
• Discounts on groceries at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, and others
• Access to digital GP and wider healthcare benefits
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets
• Regular discounts and savings updates
• Cash rewards on spending
• Free wellness, mindfulness, and exercise classes
• Share discounts with friends and family
• Contributory pension scheme
• Career development through Pathways and MyLearning programs

About Us

Part of Compass Group UK&I, ESS supports military, police, secure environments, and government sites, along with offshore facilities. We value delivering excellent customer service and fostering a diverse, inclusive culture where everyone can thrive.