Operations Manager - South West

Thomas Franks Ltd

Cherwell District

Hybrid

GBP 65,000 - 85,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Wider wallet scheme

Free meals on duty

Volunteers leave

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

Car/Car Allowance

Recommend a friend bonus

Apprenticeship programme

Team & company social events

Employee assistance programme

Workplace pension

Excellent career progression

Job summary

Thomas Franks Ltd in Hook Norton near Banbury is seeking an Operations Manager with a passion for high-quality fresh food. The role covers P&L accountability, contract catering leadership, and developing excellence across our South West client base.

You will build strong relationships with clients and internal teams, drive business development, and lead a multi-site, remote-capable operation with a focus on service and value.

Qualifications

Experience in contract catering or hospitality operations at senior level.
Ability to manage P&L and develop business strategy.
Strong client and internal stakeholder relationship skills.
Proven financial acumen and cost control in fixed-price contracts.
Knowledge of HR practices and retail skills.
Must have the right to work in the UK and pass DBS checks.
Experience with compliance and governance processes.
Excellent verbal and written English communication.

Responsibilities

Lead operational performance across our division.
Deliver on target financially with strong service standards.
Develop and maintain client relationships and executive-level communications.
Drive business development and strategic direction for the region.
Ensure compliance, safety, and quality standards across sites.

Skills

Fresh food knowledge

Senior operations management

Relationship building

Leadership by example

Financial management

HR & retail skills

Right to work in UK

DBS & references

Compliance experience

English communication

Office management systems

Organization & time management

Autonomous & remote work

Multi-site / remote capacity

Job description

Our head offices based in the beautiful village of Hook Norton near Banbury. Here you will find our teams of finance, HR, purchasing, marketing & creative that support all of our locations across the Thomas Franks family. There is ample parking space available when visiting. We are looking for an Operations Manager with a passion for food and creating and maintaining the highest quality food standards. The role will be focusing on high calibre contracts working with our clients within the South West region. The successful candidate will enjoy working with people and creating great relationships with clients, managers and team members. They will enjoy supporting and developing excellence, adding value to all that they do, delivering on target financially, and leaving a positive footprint every day. The successful applicant will have proven previous experience of working at an operational level within the contract catering or hospitality industry for clients with exceptional standards and will be keen to work as part of our exceptional leadership team. As Operations Manager, you will have full accountability for the P&L, business development strategy and people management & development for the Operational Division in your area. You will employ a commercial focus delivering fantastic customer service and outstanding food and will develop a positive and motivating culture. The role will be to support the Regional Director and the division will cover a leading and exclusive client base, with exceptional and consistent standards.

Passion and knowledge of great contemporary fresh food and service
Experience of delivering exceptional senior management operations in a contract catering environment for a range of senior clients with exceptional standards.
The ability to build strong, professional relationships with internal and external individuals, service providers, suppliers, and businesses.
Strong motivation skills with a lead by example approach
Outstanding financial management skills - commercial and fixed price
An appreciation of innovative marketing and merchandising skills which can be delivered by our Creativity Team.
HR best practice and retail skills
The right to work permanently in the UK.
Able to undertake an enhanced DBS and provide references covering full 5 years and overseas police checks
Have proven experience in the area of compliance.
Excellent listening, written and verbal communication skills (in English) and able to articulate and communicate effectively at all levels.
Knowledge of office management systems
Outstanding organisational, analytical and time management skills and ability to create effective processes and procedures. A team player, but able to work autonomously and remotely.
Experience of working in a multi-site/mobile/remote capacity. Thomas Franks is a founder led, fresh food catering business with a focus on excellence and service delivered with individuality, passion and style. We are unique in every approach and our clients, and our people are paramount to our daily success.

Disclaimer All applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the Right to Work in the UK to be considered for this role. An enhanced DBS, Identity & reference checks (covering the last five years) will form part of the selection process. As an organisation using the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions of trust, Thomas Franks Ltd complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly. We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and undertake not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a Disclosure based on conviction or other information revealed. However, for any post in a school please be aware that any application is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such any criminal conviction, caution or bind-over must be declared. Diversity and Inclusion at Thomas Franks We actively encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds and continue to develop a culture of growth and inclusion and would like to invite applications from groups who are currently under-represented, because we believe greater diversity leads to exceptional results and provides a better working life.