Project Manager - 12 Month Maternity Contract

Gather & Gather UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food service provider is seeking a Project Manager to enhance operational dynamics. In this field-based role, you'll coordinate project activities and report on business processes. Ideal candidates will have contract catering experience, strong communication skills, and a good grasp of financial systems. Benefits include personal development opportunities, life assurance, and comprehensive healthcare support. This is a chance to work in a vibrant environment that values diversity and innovation.

Benefits

Personal Development and Training opportunities

Life assurance scheme

Pension scheme

Holiday allowance

Healthcare Support Access

Wellbeing strategy

Social events

Holiday purchase scheme

Volunteering days

Professional subscriptions

Recognition schemes

High street discount vouchers

Qualifications

• Experience in managing contracts in catering operations.
• Excellent communication skills to engage with clients and teams.
• Strong numeracy and literacy skills for financial oversight.
• Up-to-date knowledge of food and coffee trends.
• Ability to innovate and drive commercial success.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the mobilisation of new contracts smoothly.
• Direct involvement in sales and operational contract handover.
• Manage operational de-mobilisation of contracts.
• Ensure standardisation of the mobilisation plan across the business.
• Handle TUPE transfers in line with best practice guidelines.
• Deliver projects within set timescales with appropriate planning.

Skills

Contract catering experience

Articulate communication

High numeracy and literacy skills

IT skills

Innovative and commercially aware

Job description

Great food in the workplace isn’t simply about fuel. It’s about increasing productivity and improving performance; it’s about happy, motivated people and inspiring environments. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do – we live to bring food and people together.

We are brave, bold, and curious adventurers in food and drink. Never shy of being different, always challenging the conventional.

Our passionate team of chefs, baristas, servers, nutritionists, and much more, love nothing more than creating memorable moments that enrich the everyday. Come and join our award‑winning teams – we are currently recruiting for a Project Manager to work with us.

Location & Travel

You can be based anywhere for this role as national travel will be required. This is field‑based with 3 days required out in the business, although this varies.

Compensation

£55,000 per annum, plus mileage, rail travel.

Working Pattern

Monday – Friday – 40 hours per week.

The Job

As a key support to the Operations team and Head of Projects, you will monitor and report on key business process, commercial information, and project activity. You will coordinate projects and support the management of change in the business units through providing timely reporting to the Gather & Gather business and our clients.

You will have an eye for detail, commercial acumen, and act to make a positive difference every day. As required, you will assist in the development of site teams on business process, customer service, and commercial activity and monitor progress feeding back as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Involved as directed in overseeing the mobilisation of new contracts, ensuring a smooth and professional delivery of such contract.
• Direct involvement with the sales and operational process and the handover of the contract between business development and operations.
• To direct the de‑mobilisation of any contract from an operational perspective.
• To ensure a standardised Gather & Gather mobilisation plan is up to date, developed and used effectively across the business.
• Correct handling of TUPE transfers in line with best practice and advice from the People Team.
• To deliver allocated projects within the set timescales by creating detailed plans and outcomes and involving all relevant parties.

Finance

• To assist with financial performance reviews and support the budget/forecast process for new contracts.
• To protect the company from risk through monitoring of controls and relevant audits.
• Have working knowledge and understanding of business, ordering, people related and financial IT systems.

Managing & Developing Team

• Works collaboratively with colleagues in senior and support teams across the region and group as required.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Has contract catering experience either within operations or projects.
• Is an articulate communicator.
• High level of numeracy, literacy and IT skills.
• A passion for keeping up to date with what’s current in food & coffee.
• Innovative and commercially aware.

What's in it for you?

Working with Gather and Gather has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we've developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.

• Personal Development and Training opportunities
• Life assurance scheme
• Pension scheme
• Holiday allowance
• Access to Healthcare Support App which includes annual health check, Digital GP, Mental Health Consultations, Nutritional Consultations, Second Medical Opinion
• Eye care
• A great wellbeing strategy – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
• Family friendly support

• Regular social events and communication with our leaders
• A holiday purchase scheme
• Volunteering days
• Professional subscriptions
• Recognition schemes and people awards
• Long service awards
• Access to some great high street discount vouchers

About Us

As part of Compass you’ll help feed people, fuel progress, and forge connections across around 6,000 venues. Join us to grow your career with the industry leader, and get competitive pay, great perks and unrivalled opportunities for learning and development, at one of the UK's biggest businesses.

Equal Opportunity

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive – because diversity is our strength!