Operations Manager - Cambridge

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Job Introduction

Pabulum Catering are now recruiting for a Operations Manager to manage a group of 10-15 schools within the Cambridge Area. The position will include a mix of mainly travelling to sites, time in the office and days working from home. As an Operations Manager you will be responsible for overseeing the performance of the catering operation for a number of Primary & Secondary school contracts, you will lead your team in delivering an excellent food operation whilst meeting and exceeding the clients' expectations.

Pabulum is a professional catering company, committed to providing healthy food to children. From primary to secondary schools, to colleges and sixth forms, Pabulum's menus far exceed the Government's food guidelines for education. With over 25 years of experience in service development, we offer a range of core and complementary services to our clients. We aim to show young people how great mealtimes can be as well as introduce them to healthy eating and balanced nutrition.

This is an opportunity to join a passionate and collaborative team of individuals, committed to the delivery of outstanding results. At Pabulum, you're important; without our employees we wouldn't be where we are today with such a strong, innovative and constantly growing business.

You will join as part of the Operational team at Pabulum, during a period of sustained growth. You will work closely with colleagues to foster an environment of continuous improvement and high standards aligned with performance expectations. We are looking for passion, a desire to hit deadlines and an understanding of what is required in the day-to-day operation.

Areas of specific responsibility include:

• Ensuring all services detailed within the contract are adhered to, delivered and where possible, enhanced to meet and exceed the clients, customers and company expectations
• Continually reviewing the performance of each contract and its profitability whilst ensuring costs are controlled but that they don't affect the service quality nor delivery
• Managing and supporting the development, progress and performance of direct reports
• Supporting direct reports to ensure staff resources are used efficiently and in line with set financial parameters
• Supporting direct reports to identify and implement changes in customer service and product offers to maximise revenue
• Supporting direct reports to conduct all their working practices in accordance with the Food Hygiene, Health and Safety legislation and financial regulations
• Managing staff issues, including recruitment and selection, performance, sickness and attendance
• Working with the Senior Operations Manager to communicate and develop positive working relationships between all areas of the business
• Supporting the sales function in retaining existing business and obtaining new business opportunities

Skills required for the role include:

• Client management experience. Ability to build strong relationships you're your clients, understanding their needs and identifying ways to improve Pabulum's current setup with them. Ideally you will have experience of managing a patch of business with a combined turnover of £5m+

• Financial acumen with experience of managing set budgets, forecasting and business planning
• Ability to create financial reports
• Confident user of the Microsoft Excel and Word
• Ability to manage and motivate team members
• Health and Safety knowledge including Food Safety and Food Hygiene Regulations
• Strong, effective and competent communicator and presenter

Personal Attributes

• A genuine passion for people and building meaningful relationships.
• Results-driven with a tenacious attitude to deliver.
• Highly organized with a keen attention to detail.
• Proactive and forward-thinking, always seeking innovative solutions.
• Has a sense of pride in everything they deliver

This is an ideal position for a smart, motivated individual who is passionate about delivering outstanding quality and service in performance in a team and collaborative environment. We are looking for a person who is enthusiastic to make a difference, a dynamic problem solver, able to influence team members in a positive manner.

Benefits;

• Strong company culture with focus on clients, team, innovation & creativity
• Permanent position
• £50,000 to £55,000 per annum salary
• Hybrid working
• NEST pension scheme
• Comprehensive Employee Assist Programme

As you will be working in Education, you must provide two employment/character references and we'll also carry out an Enhanced DBS / Criminal Record Check as well (which we'll pay for).

Interested in becoming part of the Pabulum family?

Please apply online. If you would like to contact me directly to discuss the role you can call send an email to recruitment@pabulum-catering.co.uk