Operations Manager

Grade: Approximately £35,000- £40,000 per annum, depending on experience

About us and the role

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager based at Avanti House Secondary School to help lead the continued development and growth of Avanti Schools Trust’s catering operation, delivering nourishing, high-quality vegetarian food across our schools.

Working across multiple sites, you will provide professional leadership and support to Chef Managers and catering teams, ensuring consistently high standards of food quality, customer service, compliance and operational performance. You will use financial and operational insight to manage budgets and costs, monitor site performance, improve meal uptake and customer satisfaction, and identify opportunities to increase efficiency and profitability.

The role will also involve developing strong relationships with school leaders, Trust representatives, suppliers and external partners, while supporting business development, tenders and contract opportunities. Alongside the commercial and operational aspects of the role, you will coach and develop teams, encouraging accountability, continuous improvement and excellent service.

If you enjoy combining strong operational leadership with a genuine interest in food, people and service, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the continued success and growth of our catering provision.

Avanti Schools Trust is dedicated to promoting healthy minds and bodies through nutritious and delicious vegetarian meals. With 10 years of experience, our philosophy is to inspire people to feel good in every aspect of their lives through enjoyable and nourishing food.

We understand the importance of meeting individual needs, by promoting a better understanding of nutrition and the importance of a balanced and varied diet.

What will you do?

• Oversee the operational and financial performance of catering services across multiple sites, managing budgets, costs, meal uptake and customer satisfaction to drive efficiency and profitability.
• Lead, coach and develop Chef Managers and catering teams, promoting high standards, accountability, excellent customer service and continuous improvement.
• Analyse operational, financial and performance data, producing KPI reports and implementing action plans to improve site performance and identify opportunities for growth.
• Develop strong relationships with school leaders, Trust representatives, suppliers and external partners, while supporting tenders, contract renewals, procurement and new business opportunities.
• Ensure catering operations maintain high standards of food quality, food safety, allergen management, health and safety and compliance across all sites.

Why should you apply 

Avanti exists to help each person become a well-rounded human being through intellectual, moral and spiritual growth, and so make the world a better place.

You will be working in a fantastic environment, with:

• Great opportunities for professional development
• LGPS pension scheme (subject to eligibility)
• O2 discounts, Specsavers corporate eye test vouchers
• Eligible for NUS Card and CSSC membership
• Well-being programs (retreats, yoga, wellness apps)
• Cycle-to-work Scheme

What are we looking for?

• Excellent organisational and multitasking skills
• Previous experience within the catering industry
• Proficiency in using office productivity tools
• Ability to build relationships with senior stakeholders and clients
• Commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of all students

Please view the full Job Description for more information on the responsibilities and essential criteria required for this role.

Further information

Pre-employment checks

Avanti Schools Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates are required to have an Enhanced DBS check unless internally appointed and still within the cycle of DBS re-checks.

Any appointment subsequently made will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.

Diversity and Inclusion

We want to make sure we are attracting the widest possible range of people and ensure that they are accepted, understood and treated equally when they work here. This means we will work hard to understand that each employee is unique and ensuring that individuals or groups are not treated differently or less favourably on the basis of specific characteristics. 

Such characteristics include (but are not limited to) age, disability, gender including transgender, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, and how the school supports pregnant women and new parents.