Operations Manager

Impact Food Group; Upper Pollicott; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering firm is looking for an experienced Operations Manager to oversee multiple sites in the UK. The successful candidate will manage teams, ensure exceptional service standards, and build relationships with clients. A competitive salary of up to £55k with a car allowance plus additional benefits is offered. This role involves travel and strong leadership, requiring a background in contract catering or similar environments.

Benefits

25 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays

Life assurance & company pension scheme

BUPA Healthcare

Salary sacrifice electric car scheme

Employee wellbeing platform

Qualifications

• Experience managing multiple sites, preferably in catering.
• Strong leadership skills to inspire teams and manage client relationships.
• Ability to engage at different organizational levels.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations for a portfolio of schools.
• Engage and manage teams across various locations.
• Ensure exceptional service standards in contract catering.

Skills

Team management

Client relationship building

Financial management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Passion for food service

Education

Experience in operations management

Familiarity with contract catering

Tools

Office suite proficiency

Job description

Operations Manager

Job Reference: 2480914335-2

Date Posted: 26 November 2025

Recruiter: Impact Food Group

Location: Ashendon, Buckinghamshire

Salary: On Application

Sector: Hospitality & Tourism

Job Type: Permanent

Job Description

Role: Operations Manager

Salary: £55k plus Car Allowance ( £5760) & Great Benefits

Location: Aylesbury / Milton Keynes

At Impact Food Group, we are more than a school caterer. The people are the heart of what we do. We are driven by creating a positive food culture and helping more students eat better food. Making a positive social impact is at the centre of our identity. We tirelessly learn, develop and make improvements in every way, every day.

Delivered by our distinct and industry leading brands Innovate, Cucina, Chapter One and Hutchison, we cater for over 600,000 students.

Due to continued business growth, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Operations Manager to join the team – this role is overseeing a portfolio of schools and is field‑based, requiring travel to support teams across the business.

The essential ingredient at the heart of our business is our people. We are searching for an experienced multisite Operations Manager with a background in excellent food catering services to join our business.

Can you

• Manage, inspire, and engage our teams?
• Meet with clients to build strong, professional relationships with internal and external individuals, service providers, suppliers, and businesses.
• Demonstrate passion and knowledge of great contemporary fresh food and service.
• Deliver exceptional senior management operations in a contract catering environment for a range of senior clients with exceptional standards.
• Demonstrate strong motivation skills with a lead‑by‑example approach.
• Deliver financial management skills — commercial and fixed price.

What can you bring?

The experience and knowledge we are looking for includes:

• A background as an Area Manager/Operations Manager within Independent Education contract catering is desirable; we are also interested in speaking with candidates from State Education, Business & Industry, or a retail catering environment who have managed at least eight sites.
• Day‑to‑day management and guidance of the chef managers running the sites, including supporting client relationships, recruitment and HR matters.
• Comfort in conversing at all levels, from the kitchen to the board room.
• A self‑motivated, resilient, and highly organised manager with an understanding of how to prioritise effectively.
• Proficiency with the Office suite and the ability to produce spreadsheets and presentations to demonstrate performance.

What we’d love to give you

• Competitive salary up to £55k plus a Car Allowance (£5760).
• 25 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Life assurance & company pension scheme.
• BUPA Healthcare.
• Access to our extensive online Learning platform and development opportunities.
• An employee wellbeing platform.
• Access to a salary sacrifice electric car scheme.
• IFG rewards for high‑street discounts.
• Annual Summer Party with company awards.

Additional Details

IFG is committed to the safeguarding of children, and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are required to undergo an enhanced DBS check, which we will cover the cost for.

We are a committed equal opportunities employer. If you require any assistance during the interview process, please detail it within your application. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.

We look forward to receiving your application!