Operations Director

OCS Group; Crawley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Award-Winning Employer

Digital Learning

Retail Perks

Professional Growth

Flexible Pay Wagestream

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland seeks a Senior Operations Manager to lead contract catering operations, ensuring compliance, efficiency and growth. You will drive performance across sites, manage budgets, and guide teams to deliver high service standards.

The role requires strong leadership, customer focus, and excellent organisational skills, with the ability to handle sensitive information and adapt to changing business needs.

Qualifications

• Experience in contract catering and management roles.
• Knowledge of food hygiene and health & safety regulations.
• Proven leadership and team-management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement operations and production plans to meet goals.
• Manage day-to-day operations, ensuring compliance and needed changes.
• Evaluate site performance, prepare reports, and support goal setting.
• Oversee budgets, financial reporting, and cost control.
• Allocate budgets and resources across functions and supply chain.

Skills

Contract catering experience

Food hygiene knowledge

Leadership

Customer service

Organisation

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Job description

About The Role

Working Pattern

To meet the needs of the business

As part of your role, your key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Developing, improving, and implementing operations and production plans to meet company goals
• Managing the day-to-day operations, implementing necessary changes, and adhering to compliance procedures, laws, and regulations
• Evaluating the overall site performances, providing all necessary reports, assisting management in goal setting, and promoting company growth
• Managing finances, developing, monitoring, and analysing the departmental and company budgets and financial reports
• Allocating the budget and resources, materials, and equipment to the most productive functions, supply chain, and delivery management

What are we looking for?

• Previous experience in a similar role within the Contract Catering industry is required
• Hold relevant qualifications, have knowledge of food hygiene and health and safety is a must
• A proven track record in team management and leadership is crucial
• Demonstrate high standards and be well organised in all areas of Senior Management
• Excellent customer service skills and interpersonal skills are essential

The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria:

• Must have the right to work in the UK
• Must be prepared to undergo a DBS or Enhanced Security Check
• A foundation degree, higher national diploma (HND), a degree, a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in relevant fields such as business and hospitality management, culinary arts, or culinary management is beneficial
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage teams effectively
• Understanding of financial management, budgeting, and cost control
• Ability to handle complex situations and find practical solutions
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Good time-management and organisational abilities
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
• Competent with Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel
• While not always mandatory, having a food hygiene certificate (Level 3) is advantageous

About The Company

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values -Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

• Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.
• Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.
• Retail Perks: With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.
• Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!
• Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.