Regional Operations Manager

Job Introduction

Are you ready to take the next step in your operational career? We're excited to offer f our opportunities for the role of Regional Operations Manager across our key regions: London and surrounding areas, Bristol/South Gloucestershire, and the Midlands .

In this pivotal role, you’ll lead and inspire a team of Operations Managers delivering exceptional catering and hospitality services to schools across multiple sites. You’ll be the driving force behind operational excellence, ensuring pupils, staff, and visitors enjoy outstanding food experiences every day, while also meeting commercial, compliance, and client expectations.

What you’ll do:

• Own the commercial relationship with Clients, leading contract negotiations with a strategic focus on growth and retention.
• Accountable for the commercial performance across all relevant sites; managing the billing, invoicing, management accounts and budgets, driving labour, food and other cost control in conjunction with Finance
• Assign and manage budgets for the mobile workforce and agency workers.
• Create and own plans to ensure the region achieves operational and commercial targets.
• Act as an escalation point for Operations Managers with regards to any identified issues and risks in the business.
• Monitor and measure the performance of Operations Managers, ensure a high focus on employee safety and positive client relations. Conducting performance reviews as appropriate and in line with Company policy.
• Periodically review site action plans with the relevant Operations Manager to ensure delivery of change or improvement.

What we’re looking for:

• Strong experience in multi-site catering or hospitality operations, ideally within education or a similar contract catering environment.
• Proven presentation and negotiation skills in both sales and client facing environments
• Strong commercial acumen and financial management in a multi-site operational context
• Professional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt style to either internal or external audience
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with all key stakeholders
• Organised and efficient ways of working
• Identify and provide effective solutions to issues and challenges
• Ability to lead and use initiative
• Driven to achieve results and exceed expectations
• Innovation and forward thinking
• Proven experience in leadership and people management
• Owns a full, valid UK driving licence

What we offer:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering mental health and wellbeing support.
• Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or larger problems where you may need additional support, including legal and financial advice, support with work related issues or personal issues such as bereavement.
• Access to a free health and wellbeing app that provides rewards for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and includes access to a 24hr virtual GP and various other services.
• The Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 (also open to friends and family) and/or the prepayment cashback card.
• Money Insights and financial benefits via the Salary Finance Platform.
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Sodexo Retirement Plan
• A death in Service benefit for colleagues who pass away whilst employed by Sodexo
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including apprenticeships and a variety of learning and development tools.
• Cycle to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit.
• Volunteering Opportunities to enable all colleagues to help support worthwhile causes in our communities.
• Flexible and dynamic work environment
• Competitive compensation
• Full training and full protective uniform supplied

Ready to be part of something greater?