Regional Operations Manager

Compass Group PLC; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering service provider seeks an experienced Regional Operations Manager to lead and develop multi-site teams in the education sector. This role involves managing high-quality food services, ensuring compliance, and driving commercial performance. The ideal candidate will possess proven leadership, stakeholder management skills, and financial acumen, making a significant impact in the operational excellence of educational catering. Competitive pay and numerous perks await at this recognized industry leader.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Contributory pension scheme

Digital GP access

Exclusive travel discounts

Discounts on groceries

Cinema ticket discounts

Cash rewards on spending

Wellness and mindfulness classes

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing multi-site operations within catering, hospitality, retail or facilities services.
• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Commercially astute with a demonstrable track record of delivering results.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and inspire multi-site catering teams.
• Ensure compliance with training records, logbooks and operational standards.
• Manage budgets, forecasts and financial cycles.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Commercial acumen

Team leadership

Education

Degree in business, hospitality or a related discipline

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Regional Operations Manager to lead, develop and inspire multi-site catering teams within the independent education sector. You will be responsible for delivering safe, compliant and high-quality food services while driving commercial performance, client satisfaction and continuous improvement across your portfolio. This is a highly visible role requiring strong leadership, operational expertise and commercial acumen, working closely with schools, clients and central support teams to deliver outstanding outcomes.

Operational Excellence

• Regularly visit sites to review standards, customer journey and productivity
• Ensure compliance with training records, logbooks and operational standards
• Drive adherence to standards and mobilisation of new and retained contracts

Nutritional & Culinary Standards

• Coach and support teams to deliver School Food Strategies and compliant menus
• Ensure menus align with FIR guidelines and allergen legislation
• Lead audits, training and service consistency across all units
• Engage with students, parents and teachers to maximise participation and uptake

People & Team Leadership

• Build, engage and retain high-performing teams across all sites
• Ensure 100% compliance with DBS, training and workforce systems
• Lead recruitment, workforce planning and performance management
• Support colleague wellbeing, development and career progression

Financial & Commercial Performance

• Manage budgets, forecasts and financial cycles effectively
• Optimise labour, overheads and spend in line with benchmarks
• Identify growth opportunities, additional services and investment proposals
• Conduct independent audits of cashless and safe sales

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Develop strong client relationships through structured meetings and engagement plans
• Deliver client retention strategies and support tender processes
• Work with senior stakeholders to proactively manage contract renewals
• Capture success stories, case studies and references for future bids

Marketing, Innovation & Customer Experience

• Deliver pricing strategies and identify commercial opportunities
• Collaborate with schools to deliver engaging theme days and educational food initiatives
• Champion central marketing initiatives and innovation to stay ahead of consumer trends

Essential

• Proven experience managing multi-site operations within catering, hospitality, retail or facilities services
• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills
• Commercially astute with a demonstrable track record of delivering results

Desirable

• Degree qualified in business, hospitality or a related discipline

As part of Compass you'll help to feed people, fuel progress and forge connections in 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.

Opportunity to make a real impact within education catering

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• A role that combines leadership, strategy and hands‑on operational excellence
• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and MyLearning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking.com and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un‑wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families