Operations Manager (Conference and Events) - SEC Glasgow

Compass Group UK & Ireland; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Levy UK & Ireland is seeking an Operations Manager for the iconic SEC Glasgow, responsible for leading exceptional catering services and managing a dynamic team. Emphasizing operational excellence, financial performance, and guest satisfaction, this role is pivotal in delivering memorable experiences at high-profile events. Join a company committed to sustainability and diversity, making a significant impact in the catering industry.

Benefits

Healthcare and Wellbeing Benefits

Exclusive Perks & Discounts

Meals on duty

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Ongoing training and development

Qualifications

• Proven experience with P&L accountability in high-volume settings.
• Strong leader capable of managing a team of over 8 staff.
• Demonstrates a guest-first mindset for exceptional customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily catering operations across multiple service areas.
• Ensure health, safety, and compliance in all operations.
• Drive financial performance, managing budgets and costs.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Acumen

Communication

Health and Safety Compliance

Operational Excellence

Education

Experience in catering or events role

Tools

IT Skills

Job description

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Job Introduction

Operations Manager- Conference & Events |Glasgow SEC

£39,500 per annum plus benefits

At Levy, we're proud to be the official catering partner for The Scottish Event Campus. We pride ourselves on providing an exceptional customer experience for every visitor to the venue. The campus comprises of the SSE Hydro, the SEC Armadillo and the SEC Centre. The company enjoys an enviable reputation as one of Europe's most prestigious venues with the SSE Hydro consistently ranked in the top 3 busiest venues in the world by attracting over 1.1 million visitors each year.

About the role:

Are you a dynamic and experienced catering professional ready to lead operations at one of Scotland's most iconic venues? Levy UK & Ireland is looking for a passionate Catering Operations Manager to drive excellence across all food and beverage services at the SEC Glasgow. From high-profile live events to bustling retail outlets, hospitality suites, and restaurants, you'll lead a talented team to deliver seamless, efficient, and innovative experiences. If you're driven by operational brilliance, exceptional standards, and pushing the boundaries of event catering, this is your stage.

Duties:

• Lead day-to-day catering operations across retail, hospitality, and restaurant services, acting as the main operational point of contact for the SEC and building strong stakeholder relationships.
• Ensure all catering areas are event-ready, overseeing setup, presentation standards, and smooth delivery during live and non-live event days.
• Collaborate with internal teams including logistics, BOH, and sales to manage labour, stock, ordering, and scheduling efficiently, ensuring operational excellence.
• Drive financial performance, including managing labour costs, spend per head, cost of sales, and stock control, while supporting Capex/Opex planning and budget delivery.
• Champion guest experience and service quality, responding to feedback, monitoring standards, and leading improvement initiatives aligned with Levy and client expectations.
• Ensure health, safety, and compliance, maintaining accurate records, leading on risk assessments, and ensuring adherence to all regulatory and company procedures.
• Lead, develop, and inspire your team, managing recruitment, training, performance, and succession planning to maintain a motivated and skilled workforce.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities, service styles, and product innovation to drive growth and align with current trends and client ambitions.

Who you are:

• Proven experience in a senior catering or events role with full P&L accountability in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with the ability to drive revenue, manage budgets, and forecast effectively.
• A natural leader and motivator, experienced in managing and developing teams of 8+ to deliver exceptional service.
• Excellent stakeholder and client relationship skills, with clear, confident communication across all levels.
• Demonstrates a guest-first mindset, taking ownership of customer satisfaction and striving for service excellence.
• Deep understanding of health, safety, and food safety legislation, with a proactive approach to compliance.
• Tech-savvy with solid IT skills, and comfortable using systems to enhance operations and reporting.
• Flexible, resilient, and results-driven, with a values-led approach and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Benefits:

• Healthcare & Wellbeing - Medicash health benefits (including dental, mental health & optical for you and up to 4 children), free annual health check with Aviva Digicare, discounts at Nuffield Health & Pure Gym, and access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Exclusive Perks & Discounts - Save on entertainment (up to 55% off cinema tickets), shopping (up to 15% off), Vodafone plans, and travel with top providers such as TUI & Expedia.
• Workplace Benefits - Meals on duty, pension scheme, life assurance, and professional subscriptions paid.
• Leave & Family Support - 25 days + bank holidays, your birthday off, extra leave after maternity return, a day off for your baby's 1st birthday, and a holiday purchase scheme.
• Career & Financial Support - Ongoing training & development, career pathways, financial wellbeing programme, and preferred rates on salary finance products.

Who are Levy?

Levy, part of Compass Group, known for delivering exceptional food, drink, and hospitality experiences at world-renowned venues such as Wimbledon, Twickenham, and Tottenham Hotspur. Focused on sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, Levy prides itself on using sustainably sourced ingredients and providing outstanding service. The company is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2027, partnering with the British Paralympic Association, and ensuring all team members earn at least the Real Living Wage or London Living Wage.

Why Join Us?

At Levy UK & Ireland, we celebrate diversity and foster inclusion, valuing every individual's unique strengths. Our diverse team fuels creativity, innovation, and success. We promote fairness, ensure all voices are heard, and provide equal opportunities for all.

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to join us in creating a supportive, equitable workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute. Together, we achieve greatness.