Multi-Site School Catering Operations Lead

Compass Group UK; Chertsey; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Electric vehicle charging points

Contributory pension scheme

Career development programmes

Digital GP access for you and family

Travel discounts with leading brands

Cinema discounts up to 44%

Retail cashback rewards

Wellbeing, mindfulness & exercise"

Job summary

Pabulum, part of Compass Group UK&I, invites an experienced Operations Manager to lead a portfolio of school catering contracts. You will guide a team of Group and Regional Managers to ensure exceptional service, high-quality food, and strong financial performance across multiple sites.

Join a role that combines commercial acumen, people leadership, and a passion for excellent customer experiences in an education catering environment. Travel across sites will be required.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing multi-site operations within contract catering, hospitality, retail catering, education catering, or a similar service environment.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong commercial and financial management skills, including budget and profit responsibility.
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence, motivate, and engage teams at all levels.
• Proactive, organised, and solution-focused approach.
• Flexibility to travel regularly across your portfolio of sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of managers across a portfolio of school contracts.
• Ensure schools receive outstanding service, high-quality food, and an exceptional customer experience.
• Deliver strong financial performance, maximise retention, and identify growth opportunities.
• Establish and maintain relationships with clients, schools, and key stakeholders.
• Drive operational performance across sites with focus on quality and service.

Skills

Multi-site operations

Team leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder management

People motivation

Problem solving

Travel flexibility

Job description

Pabulum, part of Compass Group UK&I, invites an experienced Operations Manager to lead a portfolio of school catering contracts. You will guide a team of Group and Regional Managers to ensure exceptional service, high-quality food, and strong financial performance across multiple sites.

Join a role that combines commercial acumen, people leadership, and a passion for excellent customer experiences in an education catering environment. Travel across sites will be required.