Regional Education Catering Director & Ops Leader

ETAB-Recruits; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Senior leadership role

Job summary

ETAB-Recruits is seeking a Regional Operations Director to oversee a substantial education catering portfolio across Surrey and Cambridge. You will lead a team of 6–8 Operations Managers, driving service standards and financial performance while maintaining strong client relationships.

The role requires senior leadership experience in education catering, a hands-on approach to team development and a proven ability to optimise profitability across a geographically dispersed portfolio.

Qualifications

• Senior operational management experience within education contract catering.
• Track record of managing a large, geographically spread portfolio through a team of managers.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and cost control skills.
• Experience building client relationships and supporting contract retention.

Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching and developing 6–8 Operations Managers.
• Overseeing catering operations across approximately 300–400 schools.
• Managing budgets, reviewing performance and identifying opportunities to improve profitability.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with schools and key client stakeholders.
• Driving food quality, service standards and customer satisfaction.
• Ensuring consistent standards of food safety, health and safety, and operational compliance.
• Supporting contract retention, business growth and new contract mobilisations.
• Developing talent and succession plans across the operational team.

Skills

Senior operational management

Education contract catering

Financial budgeting & forecasting

Client relationship management

Leadership & development

Travel across portfolio

Job description

ETAB-Recruits is seeking a Regional Operations Director to oversee a substantial education catering portfolio across Surrey and Cambridge. You will lead a team of 6–8 Operations Managers, driving service standards and financial performance while maintaining strong client relationships.

The role requires senior leadership experience in education catering, a hands-on approach to team development and a proven ability to optimise profitability across a geographically dispersed portfolio.