Operations Director
22 hours ago
Chesterfield
Operations Director Location: National / Mobile Role Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Company Car / Allowance + Benefits Sector: Contract Catering About the Role We are seeking an exceptional Operations Director to lead and develop a high-performing portfolio of mobile catering contracts across the UK & Ireland. This is a high-impact, mobile leadership role, responsible for driving operational excellence, commercial performance, and client satisfaction across a diverse, multi-site catering portfolio. You will work closely with senior stakeholders, regional teams, and support functions to deliver industry-leading food service solutions. Key Responsibilities • Strategic Leadership, • Lead, inspire, and develop a team of Regional/Operations Managers across multiple locations, • Translate business strategy into operational delivery plans that drive growth and performance, • Champion innovation and continuous improvement across all sites, • Operational Excellence, • Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality catering services across all contracts, • Drive compliance with food safety, health & safety, and company standards, • Embed best practice and operational consistency across the portfolio, • Commercial Performance, • Own full P&L accountability for your region, delivering on revenue, margin, and cost targets, • Identify and implement opportunities for growth, retention, and efficiency, • Lead contract reviews, renewals, and client negotiations, • Client & Stakeholder Engagement, • Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients and stakeholders, • Act as a senior point of contact for escalations and strategic discussions, • Ensure service excellence and high client satisfaction scores, • People Leadership, • Develop high-performing, engaged teams with a strong focus on talent and succession planning, • Foster a culture of inclusion, accountability, and continuous learning, • Lead on employee engagement, retention, and development initiativesAbout You We're looking for a driven and commercially astute leader with a proven track record in contract catering or hospitality operations. Essential Experience & Skills • Senior multi-site leadership experience within catering, hospitality, or foodservice, • Strong commercial acumen with full P&L responsibility, • Demonstrated success in leading large, geographically dispersed teams, • Exceptional stakeholder management and client relationship skills, • Strong understanding of food safety, compliance, and operational standards, • Experience driving change, transformation, and growth across complex portfoliosPersonal Attributes, • Highly adaptable and comfortable working in a mobile, fast-paced environment, • Inspirational leader with a passion for developing people, • Results-driven with a strong focus on delivery and accountability, • Strategic thinker with hands-on operational credibilityWhat We Offer, • Competitive salary and performance-related bonus, • Company car or car allowance, • Private healthcare and pension scheme, • Access to a range of Compass benefits and wellbeing programmes, • Career development opportunities within a global organisationWhy Join Compass Group UK & Ireland? At Compass, we're redefining the future of foodservice. As a global leader, we combine innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence to deliver outstanding experiences for our clients and customers every day. Join us and be part of a business where your leadership will shape the future of catering across the UK & Ireland. JBRP1_UKTJ