WSH Group
Operations Manager
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Operations Manager
Operations Manager – Education Sector Catering Specialist
Company Description
Location: North West region (covers Bradford, Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, and Liverpool)
Caterlink is the education sector catering specialist, delivering fresh food solutions to over 1,000,000 meals per week across Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, and Colleges nationwide. Our "Fresh Food Policy" has been the foundation of our 20+ years of success, underpinned by integrity, client trust, and a commitment to our site-based teams.
With a 52-week operational model (term time-focused with inter-term planning opportunities), we support a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where every team member thrives. Our commitment to growth, development, and retention is matched by our investment in training, terminology, and career progression.
Job Title
Operations Manager (Permanent)
Salary & Benefits
- Annual Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 p.a.
- Perks:
- Free company car or car allowance
- 33 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays)
- Access to Workplace Pension Scheme (Aviva)
- Private healthcare with BUPA
- Fully expensed laptop + mobile phone
- 24/7 Virtual GP service (for you and your family)
- Employee Assistance Programme for mental wellness and guidance
- Employee Discount Platform (savings on supermarkets, cinema, restaurants, travel, and family outings)
- Blended learning opportunities (formal qualifications, apprenticeships, eLearning, and on-the-job training)
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About the Role
We believe "people work for people"—this manager must inspire confidence, function as an authentic leader, and ensure that teams excel locally while building strong ( client relationships across multiple schools).
You’ll balance operational leadership—ensuring Health & Safety, Retention, Quality, and Finance KPIs are met—with a mindset focused on:
- People: Coaching and empowering teams.
- Perception: Representing positive external and internal impressions.
- Passion: Driving a culture of dedication.
- Pride: Maintaining high standards across operations.
Our portfolio includes diverse locations, from primary/secondary schools to colleges—demanding both strategic oversight and hands-on collaboration. This is a role demanding both confidence in commercial excellence and a willingness to "roll up sleeves" when needs arise.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee all operations for a portfolio of schools across the North West (+*Bradford, [sic] Stoke, Manchester, Liverpool).
- Lead and develop diverse teams, fostering growth and engagement.
- Maintain and enhance client satisfaction while delivering fresh, compliant food solutions.
- Manage fixed price contracts and financial oversight of portfolios.
- Uphold Health & Safety standards and compliance.
- Mentor junior team members and drive continuous improvement (e.g., quality assurance, retention strategies).
- Contribute to portfolio growth, operating within seasonal planning periods.
- Ensure positive workplace culture, prioritising fairness and wellbeing.
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Requirements
- Proven experience as an Operations Manager or equivalent in a hospitality, catering, or Education sector role.
- Strong leadership skills, commercial acumen, and people management expertise (a minimum of 20+ heads of staff reporting).
- Sector knowledge: Deep understanding of educational catering, fresh food supply, and educational institution H&S requirements.
- Experience managing diverse schools/locations under fixed price contracts.
- Demonstrable track record in cost control, quality assurance, and financial accountability.
- Must complete an enhanced DBS disclosure (criminal check).
Sector Overview
Caterlink caters almost 1 million daily student meals. Our reputation is built on a strong pledge to:
- Fresh food sourcing
- Client trust and trust-building
- Investment in team training and professional growth
Interterm planning aligns with the education fiscal year, offering opportunities to review, adapt, and prepare for peaks—something rarer in non-sectoral, continuous-operations industries.
Join us, where Purpose = Daily Impact on over 1 million young minds. The responsibility is significant but our investment in you (and their growth) is unmatched.
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