Operations Manager

BaxterStorey UK; Dartford; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days holiday

Birthday holiday

Volunteer days

Grandparent leave

Enhanced maternity leave (24 weeks)

Career development

Wedding/commitment day leave

Free meals on shift

Pension and life insurance

Perkbox discounts

Wellbeing hub

Employee assistance

Cycle to work

Job summary

BaxterStorey is seeking an exceptional Operations Manager to lead a portfolio of high-profile clients across Kent and Essex. You will drive guest experiences, oversee catering operations, and partner with account and general managers to deliver food-led service with commercial acumen.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong relationship skills, and the ability to balance creativity with profitability.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing large-scale, multi-site operations in catering and hospitality.
• Analytical mindset with ability to interpret financial data and customer insights to shape strategies.
• Track record of driving innovation in food services and embracing new trends.
• Strong presentation skills and the charisma to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Leader who champions health & safety, diversity, and inclusion.
• Natural people developer with focus on training, motivating, and building high-performing teams.
• A foodie at heart with a genuine passion for the industry and growth.

Responsibilities

• Maximise performance of the team through positive and effective leadership, with coaching.
• Form and maintain a culture of development and high service standards.
• Ensure all Health & Safety requirements are achieved.
• Identify new opportunities and develop strategies to maximise them.
• Stay updated on market trends and industry developments.
• Mobilise and support new locations.

Skills

Multi-site operations

Analytical thinking

Innovation in food

Presentation skills

Health & safety

People development

Foodie at heart

Job description

Company Description

Role: Operations Manager

Salary: Up to £65k plus company car

Location: Kent & Essex

Benefits:

• 35Days holiday inclusive of bank holidays.
• Birthday additional holiday.
• 3 days volunteering days.
• 3 days grandparent leave.
• 24 weeks of enhanced maternity leave.
• Secondary career leave.
• Wedding/commitment day leave.
• Free meals on shift.
• Bespoke development training.
• Pension and life insurance.
• Discounts available from the Perkboxapp, from high street shops to holidays & cinemas.
• Wellbeing hub.
• Access to employee assistance programme.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Are you a commercially minded hospitality leader, a natural relationship builder, a passionate people developer, and above all, a true foodie?

At BaxterStorey, we're looking for an exceptionalOperations Managerto lead a portfolio of high-profile clients, inspiring Account and General Managers to deliver outstanding food, service, and guest experiences every day.

This role is about much more than operational excellence. You'll be a trusted partner to clients, a coach to your teams, and a driving force behind commercial growth. You'll understand how to balance creativity with profitability, empowering talented managers to run their businesses with confidence while championing a shared vision of exceptional hospitality.

We're seeking someone who thrives on building meaningful relationships, spotting and developing talent, and creating innovative food-led experiences that clients and customers genuinely love. You'll be equally comfortable discussing financial performance, mentoring future leaders, and sharing excitement about the latest food and hospitality trends.

At BaxterStorey, our people are what set us apart. In return, we'll provide an inclusive and supportive environment, investment in your development, and the freedom to make a real impact across your region.

Job Description

The successful Operations Manager will be responsible for all aspects of catering operations, including planning, logistics, execution, and will require proven outstanding client relationship management. This is a high-pressure role that requires excellent communication and organisational skills, as well as a keen eye for detail.

• Maximise performance of the team through positive and effective leadership, combined with support and coaching
• To form and maintain a culture where individual and team development is encouraged, service standards are constantly reviewed and improved upon.
• Ensure all company and legislative Health & Safety requirements are achieved
• Identify new opportunities and develop strategies for maximising them
• Stay updated on market trends.
• Mobilise and support new locations

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing large-scale, multi-site operationsin the catering andhospitality industry.
• Analytical mindset, with the ability to interpretfinancial data and customer insights to shape winning strategies.
• A track record of driving innovationin food services and embracing new trends.
• Strong presentation skills and the charisma to influence stakeholdersat all levels.
• A leader who champions health & safety, diversity, and inclusion.
• Natural people developerwith a focus for training, motivating, and building high-performing teams.
• A foodieat heart, with a genuine passion for the industry and an insatiable appetite for growth.

Additional Information

For almost 20 years, for every client, in every location (whether that’s an office, stadium, cathedral or university), we have created beautiful spaces, exciting menus and friendly teams, so that each and every customer can have the hospitality experience they deserve.

Our drive and belief in our people, means that we always strive to supercharge our team’s careers. ‘Better’ is a daily habit that sits deep within our DNA, meaning learning will be front and centre of your experience working with us.

BaxterStorey Values:

ALWAYS VISIONARY

We strive for better, we never settle, never compromise, never follow. We lead the way, blazing our own trail.

WHOLEHEARTEDLY POSITIVE

We are up-beat, motivating and inspiring. Our love for what we do radiates through our food, and is amplified by our people.

CREATIVELY COLLABORATIVE

We embrace our differences to push creativity and we work together to be better.

FOREVER CONSCIOUS

We work together as a team to lead by example, protecting the planet and supporting local communities.

BaxterStorey is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, and inclusion among our workforce.

The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our customers, and for each team memberto feel respected and able to give their best.

And to support our commitment to this we have set ourselves an ED&I (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) ambition to ‘set the standard and to be recognised for having the most inclusive culture in hospitality’.