Operations Support Unit Manager - Auckland region x 2

Compass Group; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Exclusive discounts on medical and etc

Banking service discounts

Hotel discounts

Flexible working options

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Compass Group New Zealand is seeking two seasoned Operations Support Unit Managers for the Auckland region. You will lead busy site-based operations, coach and develop Unit Managers, and work across multiple sites to drive service excellence and financial performance.

The role focuses on strategic planning, change management, and building strong client relationships while delivering high standards of food safety and HSEQ practices. NZ residency or valid work visa is required.

Qualifications

• Significant operational management experience, including demonstrated success leading busy site-based operations.
• Forward-thinking mindset with experience in business strategy, project planning, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong commercial acumen with proven experience managing budgets and operational performance.
• Track record of leading, developing and motivating teams to deliver strong results.

Responsibilities

• Provide experienced operational leadership across Compass Group sites throughout the Auckland region.
• Lead site operations while maintaining strong service, financial, commercial, food safety and HSEQ standards.
• Contribute to general business improvements, regional strategic planning, and development of innovative operational practices.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, teams and stakeholders while addressing operational challenges.
• Coach, mentor and support Unit Managers to strengthen leadership capability and operational performance.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, customer experience, financial performance and ways of working.
• Lead teams through operational change while maintaining engagement, accountability and service continuity.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Change management

Strategic planning

Job description

Operations Support Unit Manager - Auckland region x 2

Competitive salary package reflecting your senior operational experience
High-impact leadership role supporting diverse operations across Auckland
Bring your expertise to a role where you can lead, coach and drive change

Are you an experienced operational leader who thrives on stepping into challenging environments, bringing clarity, strengthening teams and making an immediate impact?

We have an exciting opportunity for two highly experienced Unit Managers to join our Auckland regional operations.

This is not your typical Unit Manager position. We are looking for seasoned leaders with the confidence, commercial capability and operational expertise to work across a variety of Compass Group operations throughout Auckland.

You will step into sites where experienced leadership is needed, quickly understand the operation, establish strong relationships and provide the direction required to maintain service standards and operational performance. You will also use your leadership experience to support, coach and develop Unit Managers, helping strengthen capability and performance across our business. When you aren't filling an interim vacancy, you will shift your focus to the big picture—collaborating on broader regional strategy, innovation initiatives, and business planning to shape how we operate.

The role calls for someone who can hit the ground running, confidently lead established teams, manage client relationships, drive innovation and bring positive change where needed.

If you are an accomplished Unit Manager ready to use your experience across a broader and more influential role within hospitality, we would love to hear from you.

• Provide experienced operational leadership across Compass Group sites throughout the Auckland region.
• Lead site operations while maintaining strong service, financial, commercial, food safety and HSEQ standards.
• Contribute directly to general business improvements, regional strategic planning, and the development of innovative operational practices.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, teams and key stakeholders while taking ownership of operational challenges.
• Coach, mentor and support Unit Managers to strengthen leadership capability and operational performance.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, customer experience, financial performance and ways of working.
• Lead teams confidently through operational change while maintaining engagement, accountability and service continuity.

You are a seasoned operational leader who brings credibility, confidence and sound judgement into every environment you enter. You are comfortable taking ownership, making informed decisions and supporting teams through periods of change.

You will ideally bring:

• Significant operational management experience, including demonstrated success leading busy site-based operations.
• A forward-thinking mindset with experience or strong interest in business strategy, project planning, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong commercial acumen with proven experience managing budgets and operational performance.
• A successful track record of leading, developing and motivating teams to deliver strong results.
• Excellent relationship-management skills with the confidence to work closely with clients and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong coaching and mentoring capability, with the ability to have constructive conversations and support manager development.
• A proactive, adaptable leadership style and the ability to quickly understand an operation, identify priorities and take decisive action.
• The unique opportunity to blend hands‑on unit leadership with high‑level corporate strategy and business innovation
• A senior operational role with exposure to a wide range of Compass Group environments
• Opportunity to use your leadership experience to influence performance across multiple Auckland operations
• Professional development and career opportunities within a large, diverse organisation
• The opportunity to coach and develop operational leaders and make a broader impact across the business
• A varied role where no two operational challenges will be the same
• Exclusive discounts on medical insurance, banking services, hotels, and more.
• Experience our supportive culture with flexible working options and Employee Assistance Programmes.

We are New Zealand's leadingand largest food and support services provider across multiple industries.

Our sub-brands, Eurest, Chartwells, Restaurant Associates,Medirest, ESSand Rapport manage these industry sectors.

We specialise in turning ordinary acts of service into extraordinary experiential moments for our clients. With innovative and talented teams across New Zealand, we transform experiences from being GOOD to GREAT.

Our people are awesome, they breathe life into our brands and make great thingshappen!

Our strength comes from the combination of the things we have in common ‑ our shared values, vision, and purpose and to make our commitment unique for you - RESPECT, GROWTH, and TEAMWORK are the founding pillars of these commitments.

We are committed to reflecting the diversity of our customers, suppliers, and colleagues. We also prioritise sustainability in everything we do, ensuring an inclusive and equitable environment for all.

Successful candidates will need to pass pre‑employment checks satisfactorily.

Applicants must have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

Creating meaningful and lasting connections with every experience.

Expertise Hospitality & Tourism, General Management