Operational Support Manager for Domestics and Cleaning Services - Colchester Hospital

Sodexo; Colchester; On-site; GBP 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global service provider is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee the delivery of cleaning and domestic services at Colchester Hospital. In this role, you will lead workforce planning, drive service improvements, and ensure compliance with health and safety standards. Candidates should have a background in operations management and strong analytical skills. This position offers a competitive salary, a supportive team culture, and various wellbeing benefits.

Benefits

45,000 annual salary

40-hour working week

12-month fixed-term contract

Mental health and wellbeing support

Employee Assistance Programme

Health and wellbeing app access

Sodexo Discounts Scheme

Retirement Plan membership

Death-in-Service benefit

Learning and development opportunities

Cycle to Work Scheme

Volunteering Opportunities

Competitive compensation

Qualifications

• Proven experience in operations or facilities management.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Excel and workforce planning tools.
• Excellent communicator able to influence all levels.
• Problem-solver thriving in a change-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Support planning and delivery of cleaning and domestic services.
• Lead on workforce planning and labour deployment.
• Analyse workforce data to inform decision-making.
• Drive continuous improvements and optimizations.
• Foster relationships with staff and stakeholders.
• Promote health and safety culture.

Skills

Operations management

Analytical skills

Workforce planning

Communication

Problem-solving

Tools

Excel

Digital workforce planning tools

Job description

About the Role

We're looking for a proactive and analytical Operations Manager to support the delivery of high-quality domestic and cleaning services across Colchester Hospital. As part of our dedicated facilities management team, you'll support the Domestics Manager in ensuring the smooth, efficient, and resilient operation of cleaning and domestic services. You'll take the lead on strategic workforce planning, labour mapping, and service optimisation projects, ensuring that staffing and service delivery align perfectly with operational demand. You'll be hands‑on in improving processes, supporting supervisors, and delivering initiatives that drive both efficiency and quality.

Responsibilities

• Support the Domestics Manager with the planning and delivery of high-quality cleaning and domestic services.
• Lead on workforce planning, rota design, and labour deployment to meet service needs within budget.
• Analyse workforce data and service KPIs to inform decision‑making.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and service optimisation projects.
• Foster strong relationships with staff, stakeholders, and management teams.
• Promote a zero‑accident health and safety culture and high standards of performance and engagement.

Qualifications

• Are you an experienced operations professional ready to make a real impact in a healthcare environment? Proven experience in operations or facilities management, ideally within a domestic or cleaning service environment.
• Strong analytical and organisational skills with experience in workforce planning or labour modelling.
• Proficient in Excel and comfortable using digital workforce planning tools (e‑rostering experience a plus).
• Excellent communicator with the ability to influence and engage at all levels.
• A problem‑solver who thrives in a fast‑paced, change‑driven environment.
• Sodexo reserves the right to close this advertisement early if we are in receipt of a high volume of applications.

About Sodexo

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On‑Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services. We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds, and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, So Together, Generations and Origins.

What we offer

• 45,000 annual salary
• 40‑hour working week
• 12‑month fixed‑term contract
• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference within a healthcare setting
• Supportive team culture and opportunities to contribute to long‑term service improvements

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work‑related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
• Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
• The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
• Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan.
• A Death‑in‑Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo.
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools.
• Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
• Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment.
• Competitive compensation.
• Full training and full protective uniform supplied.