Chartwells Schools
Operations Manager
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Operations Manager
Operations Manager – School Catering Portfolio
Experienced and commercially minded leader required.
About the Role
At Pabulum, we’re dedicated to providing fresh, nutritious, and delicious food that supports children and young people’s growth and wellbeing. As one of the UK’s leading education catering providers, we drive operational excellence while fostering positive dining experiences.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a motivated leader who thrives on building relationships, developing teams, and delivering outstanding service across multiple sites.
Key Responsibilities
- Champion a strong safety culture, ensuring compliance with Health & Safety, food safety, and company policies.
- Lead, inspire, and develop a team of managers across a portfolio of school contracts.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, schools, and stakeholders.
- Drive operational performance, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality food and excellent customer service.
- Meet financial targets through budget management, cost control, and commercial decision-making.
- Support business retention and growth with sales and retention teams.
- Review contract performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Ensure menus, food offers, and promotions remain innovative and customer-aligned.
- Use customer feedback to enhance dining experiences and boost participation.
- Support company initiatives and best practices across all sites.
- Develop succession plans and foster career progression within the team.
- Optimise labour structures and operational efficiencies for sustainable performance.
- Manage employee relations fairly and consistently in line with company procedures.
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About You
Commercial awareness combined with a passion for people and service is essential.
Essential:
- Proven experience managing multi-site operations in contract catering, hospitality, retail, education catering or a similar environment.
- Experience in leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams.
- Strong commercial and financial management skills (budget and profit responsibility).
- Exceptional relationship-building and stakeholder management.
- Ability to influence, motivate, and engage teams at all levels.
- Proactive, organised, and solution-focused mindset.
- A passion for delivering outstanding customer experiences.
- Flexibility for regular travel across your portfolio.
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Why Join Pabulum?
At Pabulum, our people are central to our success. We nurture an environment where colleagues thrive through support, recognition, and career growth.
Benefits Include: ✔ Electric vehicle charging points ✔ Contributory pension scheme ✔ Structured career development opportunities ✔ Digital GP access and healthcare benefits ✔ Discounted travel with TUI, Expedia, and Booking.com ✔ Sumptuous supermarket discounts (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons) ✔ Up to 44% off cinema tickets ✔ Cashback rewards across leading retailers ✔ Free wellbeing, mindfulness, and exercise classes ✔ Shareable discounts and offers for friends/family
Join Our Team
If you’re an experienced Operations Manager ready to make a difference, develop talent, and shape school food, we want to hear from you. Become part of a team passionate about fostering healthier, happier school communities through exceptional food. Apply today.
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