Operations Manager

Impact Food Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursement

Yearly summer party

Central offices

Job summary

Dolce, part of Impact Food Group, is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee a portfolio of school contracts in Manchester, Blackburn and Oldham. The role is field-based, requiring travel, and reports to the Regional Operations Director.

You will manage Area Managers across multiple sites, ensure Dolce standards, drive performance, and maintain client satisfaction while upholding food hygiene and brand integrity.

Qualifications

• Background as Area Manager/Operations Manager within education catering is desirable.
• Must have multi-site management experience across schools.
• Strong client relationships, excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across patch.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a portfolio of school contracts across Manchester, Blackburn and Oldham.
• Lead Area Managers to ensure smooth operation, compliance and brand standards.
• Drive financial targets, client satisfaction and quality audits.
• Communicate effectively with Dolce and school stakeholders at all levels.
• Ensure menu knowledge and portion control across kitchens.

Skills

Area Management

Multi-site management

Client relations

Communication

Driving licence

IT literacy

Leadership

Management experience

Tools

Quality standards

Job description

Dolce ( Part of Impact Food Group )Manchester / Blackburn / OldhamAt Impact Food Group, we’re more than just a school caterer. We’re on a mission to create a positive food culture and help more students enjoy healthier, better-quality food. Making a positive social impact is at the heart of everything we do. We’re constantly learning, evolving, and improving — every way, every day.

Dolce ( Part of Impact Food Group )Manchester / Blackburn / OldhamAt Impact Food Group, we’re more than just a school caterer. We’re on a mission to create a positive food culture and help more students enjoy healthier, better-quality food. Making a positive social impact is at the heart of everything we do. We’re constantly learning, evolving, and improving — every way, every day. We’re now looking for a talented and highly organised Operations Manager to join our DOLCE brand and play a vital role in supporting our business. Guided by our values, integrity, bold, impactful, empathy and community; you will help us shape a workplace and culture we can all be proud of. Due to continued business growth an exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Operations Manager to join the team - this role is overseeing a team of area managers who support a portfolio of schools in the Manchester, Blackburn & Oldham area. This role is a field-based mobile role, so you will have access to your own transport, be prepared to travel around your patch to support your teams out in the business. This is a 52 week contract, with 25 days holiday- the schools are open 38 weeks per year- holiday to be taken in school holidays. The essential ingredient at the heart of our business is our people so we are searching for an experienced multisite Operations Manager with a background in an excellent food catering services. You will be accountable for a team of Area Managers who each have a portfolio of sites- you main fucus it to drive the buisinesss, ensure the smooth running of all the contracts, support from a client , compliance, brand standards and finace prospective.

What You’ll Be Doing

Due to continued business growth an exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Operations Manager to join the team - this role is overseeing a team of area managers who support a portfolio of schools in the Manchester, Blackburn & Oldham area. This role is a field-based mobile role, so you will have access to your own transport, be prepared to travel around your patch to support your teams out in the business. This is a 52 week contract, with 25 days holiday- the schools are open 38 weeks per year- holiday to be taken in school holidays. The essential ingredient at the heart of our business is our people so we are searching for an experienced multisite Operations Manager with a background in an excellent food catering services. You will be accountable for a team of Area Managers who each have a portfolio of sites- you main fucus it to drive the buisinesss, ensure the smooth running of all the contracts, support from a client , compliance, brand standards and finace prospective.

Can you be ..,

• Accountability for your Area Managers portfolios of multi-client, multi-site contracts across the nominated area.
• Responsible for ensuring all schools within your region are operating within Dolce standards and performing well.
• Ensure that all financial targets are achieved, a high quality operation is maintained, and client satisfaction constantly exceeds expectations.
• To inspire and support the Area Managers reporting into this role to deliver a first class service and develop employee satisfaction levels.
• Ensure constructive and effective communication between Dolce and all schools at all times.
• Ensure the completion of regular quality audits and kitchen checks as directed by Dolce protocols.
• Ensure that all Area Managers have full knowledge of the menu regarding ingredients, cooking methods and correct portion sizes and can communicate this to all staff within their kitchens.
• Reporting to the Regional Operations Director

Skills & Experience

• A background as an Area Manager/ Operation's Manager within an Education contract catering would be desirable, we will also be interested in speaking with you if you are from Business & Industry / Contract Catering.
• You will have managed at least 10 sites and be a pro active, people and food focussed manager.
• In order to succeed, you will be able to demonstrate a proven track record of managing others within Management, and will have experience within a similar role and environment.
• Multi site experience and experience in managing schools is a must.
• You will be able to build effective client relationships and having recognised catering and food hygiene qualifications is a bonus but not required. You will have excellent communication skills, be IT literate and must possess a full UK driving license.
• You will be comfortable conversing at all levels, from the kitchen to the board room.
• We are after a self-motivated, resilient, and highly organised manager; with an understanding of how to prioritise effectively.
• Management: 5 years (required)
• Education catering: 1 year (preferred)
• Multi-site management: 1 year (required)
• Cooking: 3 years (required)

What We Can Offer...

Monday to Friday working
52 week contract with 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
Mileage claimed back
Yearly Summer Party
Centrally based offices.

Impact Food are committed to the safeguarding of children, and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check, which Innovate Services Ltd supply the cost for.
We are a committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail within your application. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.