Head of Non Food Operations-Healthcare

Chartwells Independent; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare support services provider based in Cambridge is seeking a Head of Non-Food Operations. This role involves leading and optimizing essential service delivery across Portering, Domestic Services, and Logistics. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years' experience in large-scale facilities or healthcare environments, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to service excellence. The position offers a salary of £65,000 plus excellent benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in large-scale facilities or healthcare environments.
• Ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams like cleaning and logistics.
• Commercially astute with budget management experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver a high-performing Non-Food Service Delivery Model.
• Ensure compliance with NHS, HSE, and contractual standards.
• Lead teams to achieve service excellence and operational resilience.
• Utilize data and KPIs for smarter operations.
• Partner with clinical leaders to align services with healthcare goals.
• Manage budgets and ensure profitable operations.

Skills

Leadership in multi-disciplinary teams

Knowledge of NHS or healthcare standards

People leadership and coaching

Commercial awareness

Change management

Service excellence and sustainability

Job description

Head of Non-Food Operations – Healthcare

Salary: £65,000 + excellent benefits
Location: Addenbrookes Hospital
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Be the driving force behind safer, smarter, more sustainable healthcare services.

Are you a passionate operational leader ready to make a measurable impact in healthcare support services? We’re looking for a Head of Non-Food Operations to lead and optimise essential service delivery across Portering, Domestic Services, and Logistics.

This is a senior leadership role with real influence — responsible for ensuring that non-food services are delivered efficiently, safely, and compassionately to support world‑class patient care. You’ll shape strategy, drive innovation, and inspire a high‑performing team in one of the UK’s most complex and rewarding operational environments.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and innovate – Design and deliver a high-performing Non‑Food Service Delivery Model across multiple operational teams.

• Champion quality and compliance – Ensure services meet all NHS, HSE, and contractual standards while maintaining exceptional infection control and patient safety.

• Inspire and empower teams – Build, motivate, and develop multi‑disciplinary teams to deliver service excellence and operational resilience.

• Drive performance and efficiency – Use data, KPIs, and insight to deliver smarter operations and measurable improvements in service delivery.

• Collaborate at every level – Partner with clinical and operational leaders to align non‑food services with wider healthcare objectives.

• Lead transformation – Support mobilisation, process redesign, and digital innovation projects across the estate.

• Deliver commercial results – Manage budgets effectively, identify efficiencies, and ensure services operate sustainably and profitably.

What We’re Looking For

You’re a proven operational leader with a track record of success in large‑scale facilities or healthcare environments. You know how to balance strategic vision with hands‑on leadership and thrive in fast‑paced, complex settings.

Essential experience and skills

• 5+ years’ experience leading multi-disciplinary teams (e.g. cleaning, portering, logistics, or facilities).

• Strong knowledge of NHS or healthcare standards

• Excellent people leadership and coaching skills.

• Commercially astute, with the ability to deliver high-quality services within budget.

• Confident in change management, transformation projects, and stakeholder engagement.

• Passionate about service excellence, sustainability, and patient experience.