Operations Manager

As Operations Director, you will lead the end-to-end delivery of all operational services, ensuring they are efficient, compliant, and aligned to business objectives. You will be responsible for driving profitability, enhancing performance, and delivering exceptional client and customer outcomes.

A key focus of the role is the integrated leadership of both operational and culinary functions, ensuring effective collaboration between logistics, production, and service delivery to achieve a best-in-class catering operation.

Person Specification

• Proven experience operating at senior leadership or Director level within a complex operational environment
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams, including both operational and culinary/food production functions
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering financial and operational performance
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into effective execution
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
• Significant senior leadership experience in operations within catering, hospitality, facilities, or a related sector
• Strong knowledge of Health & Safety and Food Safety regulations within a catering or similar environment
• Experience leading integrated operations across logistics, facilities, and service delivery functions
• Experience delivering mobilisation, transformation, and continuous improvement programmes
• Strong IT and systems capability, including operational and asset management systems

Desirable

• Relevant leadership or management qualification (e.g. ILM Level 5+ or equivalent)
• Advanced Health & Safety qualification
• Experience in large-scale contract catering or similar industries
• Experience of the design and compliance of new catering facilities

Somerset Larder Values:

• Togetherness – Collaborate and support one another
• Nurture – Develop people and capability
• Pride – Deliver excellence in everything we do
• Planet – Operate responsibly and sustainably