Regional Operations Manager

Impact Food Group; Luton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Life assurance

Company pension

Healthcare

Learning & development platform

Wellbeing programme

Electric car salary sacrifice

Job summary

Impact Food Group is seeking an experienced Regional Operations Manager to oversee a portfolio of school-site operations. The role involves leading Area Managers across multiple sites, ensuring high standards of food, service, and operations, and travelling between sites as required.

The ideal candidate will have multi-site management experience in school catering, strong communication skills, and a willingness to travel. A driving licence is essential for field-based duties.

Qualifications

• IT literate with good computer skills.
• Excellent communication skills across stakeholder groups.
• Must have a full UK driving licence and be willing to travel between sites.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a portfolio of schools via Area Managers across multiple sites.
• Ensure all sites operate to Dolce standards and meet financial targets.
• Lead and support Area Managers to deliver high-quality food and service.
• Conduct regular quality audits and kitchen checks.
• Ensure staff understand menus, ingredients, and portion sizes.

Skills

IT literate

Excellent communication

Full UK driving licence

Education

Catering/food hygiene qualifications

Job description

Impact Food Group (IFG)is one of England’s fastest-growing school food providers,serving aroundone million students every dayacross more than1,500 schools.We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that support student wellbeing and enjoyment.

Our brands includeInnovate, Cucina, Chapter One (Independent Schools), Hutchison,and Dolce, reflecting our breadth of experience and reach across the school catering sector.

We’re growing fast, and we’re looking for an experienced Operations Manager to oversee a team of Area Mangers that manage aportfolio of schools, supporting our teams and ensuring exceptional food, service, and operational standards. This is a field-based role, so you’ll need to be prepared to travel between sites.

About the role

Job Title: Regional Operations Manager

Location: Bracknall, Surrey, Watford, Cambridge Area

Working Days: Monday to Friday

Shifts & Working hours: 45 per week

Working Weeks: 52 weeks (25 days holiday + Bank Holidays)

Pay Details: £52,500 per Annum

What You’ll Do:

We are looking for a self-motivated, resilient, and highly organised multi-site Operations Manager with a background in high-quality food catering services. As an Operations Manager, you’ll be the driving force behind multiple school kitchens, ensuring every site runs smoothly:

• Accountability for your Area Managers portfolios of multi-client, multi-site contracts across the nominated area.
• Responsible for ensuring all schools within your region are operating within Dolce standards and performing well.
• Ensure that all financial targets are achieved, a high quality operation is maintained, and client satisfaction constantly exceeds expectations.
• To inspire and support the Area Managers reporting into this role to deliver a first class service and develop employee satisfaction levels.
• Ensure constructive and effective communication between Dolce and all schools at all times.
• Ensure the completion of regular quality audits and kitchen checks as directed by Dolce protocols.
• Ensure that all Area Managers have full knowledge of the menu regarding ingredients, cooking methods and correct portion sizes and can communicate this to all staff within their kitchens.
• Reporting to the Regional Operations Director.

Who We’re Looking For

You’re a hands-on, results-driven manager who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You’ll have:

In order to succeed, you will be able to demonstrate a proven track record of managing others within Management, and will have experience within a similar role and environment.

Multi site experience and experience in managing schools is a must.

You will be able to build effective client relationships and having recognised catering and food hygiene qualifications is a bonus but not required. You will have excellent communication skills, be IT literate and must possess a full UK driving license.

We’re looking for someone who leads by example, motivates teams, and genuinely cares about people and food.

What’s in It For You

We don’t just offer a job, we offer a career you can be proud of:

• Salary: £52,500 plus Car Allowance (£5,760)
• 25 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays
• Life assurance and company pension
• Healthcare
• Access to our online learning and development platform
• Employee wellbeing programme
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme
• IFG Rewards high-street discounts
• Annual Summer Party with company awards

If you’re ready to lead high-performing teams, make a real impact, and take your career to the next level, we’d love to hear from you!

Please note: An interview and assessment will be part of the recruitment process.

IFG are committed to the safeguarding of children, and our employees share this commitment. Successful candidates are requiredtoundergo an enhancedDBS disclosure and children’s barred list check, which IFG will pay for.

We are a committed equal opportunities employer - if you require any assistance for the interview process, please detail within your application. All information is kept confidential and in compliance with GDPR requirements.