Operations Director

Our client is a leading supplier of catering services to a number of schools and education trusts across the South West.
As the business continues to expand, we’re looking for an experienced Operations Director to join our team and oversee a portfolio of education sites across the South West. This is a field‑based role, supporting and inspiring teams across multiple locations, so flexibility to travel is essential (car provided.) The region is South Wales, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire.
As an Operations Director, you will:
* Lead, motivate, and develop Area Managers, Chef Managers and on‑site teams
* Build strong, professional relationships with clients, suppliers, and stakeholders
* Champion great food and exceptional service standards
* Deliver high‑quality operational performance across multiple sites
* Provide confident financial oversight, including commercial and fixed‑price management
* Support recruitment, HR processes, and people development
* Lead a region of 5 area managers and 70+ sites 350 employees
* Increase School meal uptake, control costs & deliver business unit KPI’s
* Maintain & Grow our customer base through extensions and supporting Tenders/Business development.
* Lead on projects & contract mobilisations
* Represent the business with professionalism
We’re looking for someone with:
* Experience as a multi-site Operations Manager or Area Manager in either a services or hospitality or retail
* A track record of managing a large multisite business
* Strong leadership skills with a “lead by example” approach
* Confidence communicating at all levels
* Excellent organisational skills, resilience, and the ability to prioritise effectively
* Competence with Microsoft Office, including producing reports, spreadsheets, and presentations
* A genuine passion for great food, great people, and great service
* Qualification in Food Safety & Management experience advantageous
* Prepared to Travel across the region meeting Clients & supporting the team, and home based when not visiting sites
What We Offer
* Competitive salary
* Car or car allowance
* Company pension
* Generous annual leave
* A chance to be part of a dynamic, creative, people‑focused catering brand
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed