Senior Operations Manager - Midlands

Compass Group; Warwick; On-site; GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food and support services sector is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to lead strategic initiatives supporting Jaguar Land Rover. This role requires extensive senior operations management experience and strong financial acumen to drive operational excellence across multiple sites. The ideal candidate will build influential relationships and enhance service delivery while ensuring compliance with HSE standards.

Benefits

Competitive salary + bonus and benefits package

Opportunities for personal growth and progression

Access to industry-leading learning and development programmes

Collaborative and inclusive leadership culture

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in senior operations management, ideally across large, multi-site contracts.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams in commercial environments.
• Deep understanding of HSE compliance and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver the strategic growth plan for existing and new business.
• Ensure all sites are HSE compliant and safe.
• Oversee financial performance and drive collaboration across Compass' functions.

Skills

Leadership

Change Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Financial Acumen

Operational Efficiency

Education

Experience in senior operations management

Project or change management certification

Job description

Senior Operations Manager

Location: Midlands

£60,000 Per annum - Plus company car

Lead with Purpose. Drive Performance. Influence the Future.

We are seeking a visionary Senior Operations Manager to support one of its most prestigious contracts - Jaguar Land Rover. Based in the Midlands, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape strategy and performance across a high-value portfolio at the heart of Britain's automotive heritage. This position will support of the Account Director to deliver performance insights, drive service innovation, and support client relationships at a strategic level.

Managing a revenue stream of £21 million, you will be the strategic force behind operational excellence, client satisfaction, and long-term business growth. With accountability across several large-scale contracts, this role is central to ensuring our services continue to lead the market through innovation, insight, and exceptional delivery.

The Opportunity

As Senior Operations Manager, you will act as a critical link between the Account Director, on-site teams, and Eurest support functions. You'll provide commercial insight, client intelligence, and process improvement that enhances operational effectiveness without owning the day-to-day delivery.

This is a senior-level support and influence role,ideal for a commercially sharp leader with the confidence to challenge, the credibility to influence, and the foresight to drive long-term performance across a complex, multi-site portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver the strategic growth plan for existing and new business
• Build strong, influential relationships with senior-level clients and internal stakeholders
• Review, challenge, and evolve operational models across sites to deliver profit and exceed expectations
• Ensure all sites under your remit are HSE compliant, safe, and legally sound
• Act as a champion for customer satisfaction, analysing client and consumer feedback to continuously improve services
• Oversee financial performance - ensure budget compliance, optimise labour ratios, and align spend to business needs
• Drive collaboration across Compass' central functions to enhance service delivery, innovation, and efficiency
• Develop your team - implement succession planning, drive people development, and lead with inclusion and integrity

Essential:

• Extensive experience in senior operations management, ideally across large, multi-site contracts
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams in commercial and brand-led environments
• Strong financial acumen, with a track record of improving operational efficiency and profitability
• Experience in stakeholder engagement at the highest level, including clients, suppliers, and internal teams
• Outstanding leadership, change management, and communication skills
• Deep understanding of HSE compliance, risk management, and people development
• Full UK driving licence - national travel required

Desirable:

• Background in chef, facilities management, or retail operations
• Project or change management certification/experience
• Agile and adaptable approach to fast-changing business environments

Why Join Eurest?

You'll be joining Europe's leading food and support services organisation, at the forefront of operational transformation across the B&I sector. We empower our leaders to challenge the status quo, drive innovation, and shape a more efficient, sustainable future for our clients and customers.

What We Offer

• Unrivalled opportunities for personal growth and progression
• Access to industry-leading learning and development programmes
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership culture
• Competitive salary + bonus and benefits package

Are You Ready to Lead at Scale?

If you're a dynamic, commercially minded leader with the drive to transform operations and influence change, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and join Eurest in leading the future of workplace services.