Operations Manager

Grow and Thrive Limited; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Aspens Services, a market-leading contract caterer specialising in school food, seeks an Operations Manager to oversee a specific operational area within a busy region, managing primary and secondary school contracts to deliver exceptional food operations and exceed client expectations.

You will drive contract management, financial oversight, culinary standardisation, and team leadership across sites, while ensuring compliance and continuous service improvement.

Qualifications

• Seasoned hospitality/contract catering professional with multi-site management experience.
• Proven ability to coach and develop teams and maintain high service standards.
• Strong client-facing communication and relationship-building skills.
• Process-driven with a proactive approach to continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Contract management and enhancement to meet client and company targets.
• Financial oversight and cost-control without compromising quality.
• Uphold culinary standards aligned with high street trends.
• Lead and develop line-managers, ensuring strong team engagement.
• Collaborate with sales to support retention and new opportunities.
• Ensure rigorous compliance with Health & Safety and Hygiene procedures.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

IT/computer skills

Multi-site management

Job description

Aspens Services is a market-leading contract caterer specialising in school food. We don't just serve meals—we create fantastic food experiences that fuel young minds! By blending deep knowledge of the education sector with the latest high-street food trends, we encourage creativity and excitement in every kitchen. Our commitment to quality care for both clients and children has fueled rapid growth, and we are looking for passionate people like you to join our journey.

The role:

We are seeking a highly accomplished and results-driven Operations Manager to assume responsibility for a specific operational area within one of our busy regions, overseeing the comprehensive performance of our catering operations across a portfolio of Primary and Secondary school contracts. This pivotal role involves leading your team to deliver exceptional food operations while exceeding client expectations.

Core Responsibilities and Accountabilities

You will ensure the strategic delivery and financial viability of all assigned contracts. Key responsibilities include:

• Contract Management & Enhancement:Ensuring all contracted services are adhered to, efficiently delivered, and enhanced to surpass the expectations of clients, customers, and the company.
• Financial Oversight & Control:Reviewing the performance and profitability of each contract, strictly controlling costs, without compromising service quality or delivery standards.
• Culinary Standardisation:Upholding the highest food quality standards, ensuring menus and service delivery align with current high street trends and industry best practices.
• Team Leadership & Development:Managing, supporting, and fostering the professional development, progress, and performance of line-reporting managers, maintaining high team engagement.
• Business Growth Support:Collaborating with sales to support business retention and proactively assist in obtaining new business opportunities.
• Compliance & Risk Management:Ensuring rigorous compliance with all relevant Health & Safety and Hygiene procedures across all sites.

About you:

We require a seasoned professional with current experience in the hospitality or contract catering sector, ideally in a similar multi-site management role. The successful candidate will possess:

Demonstrated ability to coach and develop teams, instilling a collective commitment to maintaining high service standards and professional conduct.

Excellent communication skills, capable of leading client meetings, effectively managing client expectations, and navigating complex challenges to achieve positive outcomes.

Being both service-focused and process-led, ensuring all operational standards, procedures, and systems are rigorously maintained.

Excellent computer skills, strong initiative, and a profound desire for continuous learning and professional achievement.

As one of the UK's fastest-growing independent businesses, we place our people at the core of our success, offering limitless career progression..

Career Investment:

We provide comprehensive learning and development programmes, offering the opportunity to gain professional qualifications with dedicated support.

Total Rewards Package:

Alongside a competitive salary and a car allowance, our comprehensive benefits programme includes:

• Enhanced parental leave
• Your birthday as an additional day of paid leave

Please note: we expect all staff to share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people so an enhanced DBS disclosure will be sought by the company