Operations Manager

Compass Group PLC; Manchester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality service provider is looking for an Operations Manager in Manchester to oversee the catering and hospitality operations at a prestigious museum. The role involves ensuring high service standards, managing teams, and compliance with health regulations. Candidates should have experience in busy environments and strong leadership skills. The position offers various employee benefits including annual leave and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

20 days annual leave

Free staff meals

Access to perks & benefits

Access to training and development

On-site food and beverage discounts

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage catering operations in fast-paced environments.
• Experience in team training and development in hospitality.
• Strong understanding of Health & Safety and Food Safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Support the General Manager in all catering and hospitality operations.
• Ensure high service standards across events and café operations.
• Contribute to operational improvements and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Financial awareness

Stakeholder engagement

Team motivation

Adaptability

Job description

We're seeking a proactive and people-focused Operations Manager to support the catering and hospitality operations at the Imperial War Museum, based in Manchester. This is an outstanding opportunity to help shape visitor experiences within a world-class institution that welcomes guests from across the globe.

Role Overview

As Operations Manager, you will work closely with the General Manager to ensure the smooth running of our busy café, as well as delivering exceptional service standards on the conference & events that take place across the venue. You will also be supporting continual improvement across the operation.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

• Support the General Manager in leading all catering and hospitality operations across café, conference, and event spaces, including coordinating food production, delivery, service, and equipment logistics.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high service standards through active floor leadership and team engagement.
• Build strong working relationships with venue stakeholders, assisting in responding to feedback and ensuring client satisfaction.
• Help oversee budgets, stock controls, and staffing levels to meet commercial targets and drive operational efficiency.
• Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety and Food Safety regulations, supporting training and policy implementation.
• Lead, motivate, and support teams across the venue, assisting with training, scheduling, and performance management.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives and operational improvements, aligning day-to-day delivery with organisational goals.
• Plan, organise and oversee daily catering operations for events, corporate clients, and on-site services, including liaising with clients to understand event requirements, timelines, and service expectations as well as conducting pre-event briefings.
• Experience as an Assistant Manager, Operations Manager, or Deputy General Manager within hospitality, ideally in visitor attractions or multi-outlet venues.
• Proven ability to support the running of busy environments with high footfall and varied service styles.
• Strong financial awareness and understanding of budgets, cost control, and labour management.
• Excellent leadership skills, with experience motivating teams and supporting training and development.
• Confident communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• A passion for food, service, and delivering memorable visitor experiences.
• Ability to adapt in a fast-paced environment, supporting both daily operations and longer-term development projects.
• A keen operator that enjoys the buzz of operationally delivering events on variable sizes, due to this role being required on site for this.

About Restaurant Associates

Restaurant Associates is a leading premium hospitality provider with an ethos drawn from our history of fine and high-quality dining in London and New York.

Within our venues team, we provide catering and hospitality services to some of the most iconic visitor attractions and destinations in the UK including the Imperial War Museum London, Glyndebourne Opera House, Knebworth House, Design Museum, Whipsnade Zoo and many more. Within these amazing venues we operate a host of bespoke cafés and restaurants, as well as delivering private events ranging from small meetings to large-scale ground events of up to 1000 people. You can find a full list of our venues on our website.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive, diverse, fun, and dynamic place to work with opportunities to collaborate with a wide range of teams plus a commitment to putting our people first.

Restaurant Associates is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. As a business, we are committed to sustainability led practices and are proud to have achieved 3 stars with the Sustainable Restaurant Association's Food Made Good Programme.

Benefits

• A collaborative and inclusive culture, where your ideas are valued, and creativity is encouraged.
• 20 days annual leave (Excluding bank holidays and national holiday days)
• Free staff meals whilst at work.
• Access to Compass Group company perks & benefits.
• Perks for Works discounts and promotions
• Access to training, mentoring and development, with support from our wider Restaurant Associates and Compass Group UK networks.
• On-site F&B discounts.
• No shortage of delicious food.