Operations Manager

Wilson Vale; Leeds; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the contract catering sector is seeking an Operations Manager in Leeds to oversee kitchen and hospitality services. This full-time position offers a chance to lead a dynamic team, innovate service delivery, and contribute to exceptional dining experiences. Join a culture that prioritizes quality food, creativity, and team development.

Benefits

Work-life balance with excellent hours

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Free meals during shifts

Development training programs

Birthday off after one year

Enhanced Maternity Pay

Qualifications

• Proven track record in managing kitchen and hospitality services.
• Experience leading teams to deliver excellence in service.
• Strong understanding of P&L accounts and budget management.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen and hospitality teams to deliver high standards.
• Manage day-to-day operations and drive innovation.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Customer Service

Education

Experience in kitchen and hospitality management

Job description

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This range is provided by Wilson Vale. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

We are currently recruiting for an experienced and dynamic Operations Manager to lead our kitchen and hospitality services at a flagship workplace restaurant in Leeds city centre, just steps from the train station.

This is a full-time position based on a 40-hour working week. Core hours are typically 7:00am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday, but you will be expected to manage your time effectively to meet the needs of the business. This may occasionally include evening or weekend work in support of hospitality events. Day-to-day the kitchen caters for around 150 people, plus hospitality.

This brand-new role, created as part of a recent restructure, reflects our commitment to exceptional service, innovation, and team development. It presents a fantastic opportunity for an experienced manager to truly showcase their skills, take ownership of a thriving service, and be a driving force for innovation across both kitchen and hospitality departments.

As Operations Manager, you will oversee a team of approximately 15 staff across the kitchen and hospitality departments. You will be responsible for the smooth day-to-day running of operations while also driving innovation and continuous improvement across both areas.

The kitchen offers a vibrant, freshly prepared menu that includes breakfast and lunch services. Breakfast options range from full English breakfasts to a yoghurt and toppings bar, along with fresh baked goods. Lunch features world cuisine, bistro dishes, deli selections, and a seasonal salad bar, with three specials each week and some plant-based options included.

We’re looking for a confident, capable leader who is passionate about great food, high-quality service, and team development. You’ll be proactive, customer-focused, and ready to inspire and support your team in delivering a consistently excellent experience.

As part of your role, you'll also enjoy a freshly prepared meal while on shift, provided by our in-house kitchen team.

Wilson Vale is an established, quality-led contract caterer. We work with amazing clients across the UK who place huge value on great food as a key part of their culture and community. We work in office restaurants, independent schools and at conference venues with the same high-end ethos throughout.

Our culture unites us. We stand for craft, quality, creative freedom, forward thinking and integrity. We never compromise on our commitment to fresh, seasonal produce and the fantastic people that make it all happen!

The role requires someone who is commercially minded with the ability to demonstrate a track record of developing efficient and cost-effective processes and that you have first class communication skills and a keen eye for detail.

Responsibilities, Skills and Experience:

• Ensure that all hospitality services are delivered to the highest standards
• Must be comfortable leading from the front and working hands-on as needed in a fast-paced environment
• Able to design and deliver bespoke hospitality solutions tailored to a variety of events and audiences.
• Health & safety / compliance knowledge
• Staff development including training and motivating staff
• Manage labour budget / Manage cost
• Must have a love for great food and service
• Excellent people management and communication skills
• Experience in a similar role
• Experience of leading and managing teams to deliver results
• Able to work in a pressurised environment and be able to multi-task
• Understanding of P&L accounts
• Good customer service and strong communication skills
• Strong premium hospitality experience in another venue
• A passion for exceptional service is essential
• Strong understanding of service styles, food trends
• Innovation and creativity
• Exceptional presentation skills
• Articulate and very well organised
• Proactive and reliable
  
  

OUR CULTURE:

• Craft at our core - we pride ourselves on our craft-skilled chefs who create wonderful fresh food from scratch.
• It’s all about the food - the menu is the most important document our chefs write every week.
• Quality, seasonal ingredients - 300+ British suppliers and our chefs can source locally.
• Freedom to create - our teams love to cook up exciting food themes and pop-ups to keep the food fun.
• Support like no other - our business was founded by family and we have stayed true to those same family values of nurturing development, protecting our values and building trust and loyalty.
• Making food that not only tastes great but is good for the planet. We have always had a strong environmental ethos and are dedicated to our social and environmental commitments.
• We believe in tailored training and opportunities to build your career with us.
  
  

WILSON VALE PERKS:

• Our working hours are some of the best you'll find in catering - we are strong believers in work-life balance
• Our working environment is fun and inspiring, with excellent career development opportunities
• Craft Works - Free craft-focused career development training programme
• Paid training bespoke to you
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme- your wellbeing is very important to us
• Online employee benefits scheme - monetary savings on everyday items!
• Your Birthday off every year after 1 years’ service.
• Enhanced Maternity Pay
  
  

Wilson Vale is an equal opportunities employer that strives to create an inclusive working environment for all. We are committed to supporting our people and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. From each and every person in our catering teams, to our operations and central support teams - everyone at has a voice.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Management and Manufacturing

• Industries

  Restaurants

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