HOB - Operations Manager

Elior Uk; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading catering firm is seeking a passionate Catering Operations Manager to oversee operations across multiple sites in the UK. This field-based role involves managing teams, ensuring high service standards, and delivering exceptional hospitality. The ideal candidate should have a proven track record in hospitality management, strong leadership skills, and a passion for customer service excellence. This position offers opportunities for growth and a variety of employee perks including flexible working and generous holiday allowance.

Benefits

Free, tasty meals

Flexible working

Generous holiday allowance

Paid volunteering days

Career development opportunities

Pension schemes and life assurance

Company car or car allowance

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing multiple sites and teams, ideally within contract catering or hospitality.
• A genuine passion for hospitality and customer service excellence.
• A strong, inspiring leadership style with the ability to motivate large teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire teams across multiple sites, embedding a strong culture of hospitality.
• Champion a resident‑first mindset, ensuring every interaction reflects warmth and professionalism.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver catering services for events, overseeing execution.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service excellence

Financial management

Job description

We’re looking for a passionate and proactive Catering Operations Manager to lead catering operations across multiple sites, with a strong focus on exceptional hospitality, resident satisfaction, and service excellence. This is a field-based role, requiring regular presence across sites to support teams, oversee service delivery, and ensure consistently high standards.

You’ll be a hands‑on hospitality leader who champions a resident‑first culture, anticipates guest needs, and delivers seamless, memorable dining and event experiences. Working closely with culinary, sales, and event teams, you’ll ensure high service standards are maintained while driving operational efficiency, quality, and profitability.

What you’ll be doing…

As an Operations Manager you will proactively manage teams in multiple sites as well as be accountable for overseeing recruiting, inducting, training and supporting Site Managers to deliver an efficient, high quality service to Elior UK, our customer and clients.

• Lead and inspire teams across multiple sites, embedding a strong culture of hospitality and service excellence.
• Champion a resident‑first mindset, ensuring every interaction reflects warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Plan, coordinate, and deliver catering services for events including corporate functions, conferences, and social events.
• Oversee event setup, service flow, and breakdown to ensure flawless execution.
• Collaborate with culinary, sales, and event teams to ensure menus, service styles, and event details meet client and brand expectations.
• Anticipate client and guest needs, resolving issues proactively and discreetly.
• Gather and act on feedback to continuously enhance the resident and guest experience.
• Recruit, induct, train, and support Site Managers and teams to deliver consistent, high‑quality service.
• Manage budgets effectively, driving financial performance and service innovation.
• Build strong internal and external relationships through clear communication, reporting, and client liaison.
• Plan and deliver effective mobilisation and demobilisation of contracts.

What can you bring?

• Proven experience managing multiple sites and teams, ideally within contract catering or hospitality.
• A genuine passion for hospitality and customer service excellence.
• A strong, inspiring leadership style with the ability to motivate large teams.
• Solid commercial and financial management experience.
• Confidence working with external clients and delivering against service expectations.

Brilliant Work Deserves Brilliant Perks!

At Elior, we believe that when you love where you work, it shows. That’s why we make sure our team feels appreciated, supported, and set up for success! Here’s what’s waiting for you:

• Free, tasty meals – Enjoy tasty, nutritious food on us while you work!
• Flexible working – including part time roles, because life doesn’t run on a 9-5 schedule.
• Plenty of Time to Unwind – generous holiday allowance of 33 days, with the option to buy more.
• Leave for life’s important moments – whether family, personal or unexpected.
• Give back time – paid volunteering days for the causes you care about.
• Room to grow – career development and learning opportunities for all stages of your career.
• Financial security – pension schemes and life assurance.
• Drive in Style – Enjoy a company car or car allowance

One small thing— we welcome you to apply using the name you feel most comfortable with! No need for legal names at this stage.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

We’re a people-first business with over 10,000 colleagues across the UK, serving everything from stadiums to hospitals, schools to workplaces. Our mission? To enrich lives everywhere, every day.

And here’s the best part - 87% of our team say they’re proud to work here! Why? Because we create a place where you’re listened to, trusted, supported, and valued.

Not sure you match every single requirement? Apply anyway! Research shows that many people - especially women and those from underrepresented backgrounds - hold back unless they meet 100% of the criteria. But we hire for potential, not just experience. If you’re passionate and ready to grow, we want to hear from you!

We Celebrate You!

At Elior, diversity and inclusion aren’t just policies, they’re who we are. We know that different perspectives make us stronger, and we’re dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to succeed.

Need any support or adjustments during the application process? Just let us know - we’re happy to help!

Ready to join us? Hit ‘Apply Now’ and let’s chat!