Central Kitchen Operations Manager
13 hours ago
London
Site-based role – Central Kitchen, North Acton, London Salary: £60,000 per annum Reports to: Operations Director Job Overview We are looking for an experienced and highly capable Central Kitchen Operations Manager to lead the full operational performance of our Central Kitchen. This is a site-based leadership role responsible for production, product consistency, compliance, food safety, people development, and operational excellence at scale. You will own the production environment end-to-end — ensuring accuracy, quality, and efficiency across all processes, while driving continuous improvement and supporting Pure’s growth as a multi-channel, multi-site food business. This is a role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced CPU/CK environment, is deeply organised, understands traceability and SALSA standards, and can lead a team to deliver consistent output with pride. Key Responsibilities Team Leadership & Development • Lead, coach, and develop the entire Central Kitchen team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and wellbeing., • Recruit, onboard, and train team members (including night shifts where applicable)., • Build strong succession plans (“Plan Bs”) and maintain an accurate organisational structure., • Ensure daily briefs, performance check-ins, and strong communication channels., • Uphold high standards of professionalism, teamwork, and engagement. Operational Leadership • Oversee all day-to-day Central Kitchen operations to deliver safe, consistent, high-quality food at scale., • Ensure all production meets agreed specifications, weight, portions, and presentation standards., • Maintain full compliance with food safety, HACCP, SALSA, FoodBuy, and EHO requirements., • Implement and maintain traceability systems, batch coding, and robust record keeping., • Build and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to standardise workflow, minimise waste, and improve accuracy., • Lead CP processes, daily run sheets, night shift workflows, and end-of-shift cleaning routines., • Manage equipment, maintenance schedules, and ensure the site remains fully operational at all times. Project Management & Strategic Improvement • Drive operational improvement projects including automation, digital traceability, process redesign, and new equipment implementation., • Lead strategic long-term development of the Central Kitchen — including potential relocation, expansion, or infrastructure upgrades., • Partner cross-functionally with Retail, Menu Development, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations to ensure alignment and innovation., • Analyse operational data to identify trends, reduce waste, improve efficiency, and strengthen throughput. Financial Accountability • Manage the full P&L for the Central Kitchen, ensuring labour, waste, purchasing, and overheads stay within target., • Produce accurate forecasts, budgets, and weekly financial reports., • Constantly look for cost efficiencies without compromising product quality., • Control ordering, purchasing, and supplier performance for optimal value and consistency. Quality, Food Safety & Compliance • Ensure all products consistently meet Pure's highest quality standards., • Maintain and strengthen quality assurance systems, cross-checking production accuracy, weights, temperatures, and shelf life., • Conduct internal audits and ensure readiness for SALSA, EHO, and internal compliance checks at all times., • Implement corrective actions swiftly when deviations occur., • Create a culture where food safety is non-negotiable at every stage. Required Experience To be successful in this role, you must have: • Significant experience in a Central Kitchen, CPU, large-scale kitchen, or food manufacturing environment., • Strong knowledge and hands-on experience with traceability systems, SALSA standards, HACCP, and structured compliance procedures., • Proven ability to build and implement new processes, SOPs, and production workflows., • Demonstrated experience managing large, diverse teams across multiple shifts., • Strong financial acumen and experience owning a P&L., • Project management experience, ideally including automation or infrastructure upgrades., • High organisational ability, calm under pressure, and solutions-focused., • A passion for quality, consistency, and operational excellence. What Your First 6 Months May Look Like Within six months, you will have: • Strengthened and stabilised your leadership team, creating a clear structure for success., • Implemented improvements in traceability, automation, and SALSA procedures., • Reduced waste, improved accuracy, and optimised batch production workflows., • Built strong relationships with suppliers and internal teams., • Created a long-term operational strategy that enables the Central Kitchen to scale sustainably — through new processes, equipment upgrades, or potential site development. Our Values at Pure At Pure, everything we do is guided by our values: • THOUGHTFUL: We communicate clearly and act with awareness and respect., • PASSIONATE: We bring energy, joy, and pride to our work., • INVENTIVE: We move fast, stay agile, and take accountability. ✨ Ready to Lead Our Central Kitchen? If you’re driven, operationally strong, passionate about food quality, and ready to make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and help shape the future of Pure’s Central Kitchen.