Operations Manager

Contract: Education

Location: Chichester, Sussex - with regional travel

Hours of work: 37.5

Contract Type: Permanent

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee a group of school catering locations, ensuring food services are delivered safely, consistently, and to a high standard.

This role is responsible for maintaining service quality, compliance, and profitability while building strong relationships with schools and key stakeholders.

Job Description

Working closely with site teams and the client, West Sussex County Council, you will lead operational performance across multiple locations, drive continuous improvement, and ensure budgets, KPIs, and contractual commitments are achieved.

Travel between sites is required, and a full UK driving licence is essential.

Key Responsibilities

Manage the day-to-day operation of multiple school catering sites.

Ensure food services are delivered safely, consistently, and to a high standard.

Drive continuous improvement initiatives and maintain company standards across all locations.

Deliver and exceed agreed budgets and KPIs, with responsibility for Profit & Loss performance.

Develop account management and contingency plans to achieve business objectives.

Lead, motivate, and develop teams across multiple sites, supporting succession planning and talent development.

Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, schools, parents, pupils, public health teams, internal ISS teams, and suppliers.

Take ownership of health & safety and food safety performance, ensuring compliance with food policies and addressing audit or inspection findings effectively.

Professional and Personal Competencies/Qualifications

Previous experience as an Area Manager or at an equivalent level.

Proven multi-site management experience.

Food and hospitality background, with education catering experience preferred.

Strong experience managing budgets and Profit & Loss accounts.

Demonstrable leadership and people management capability.

Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Strong commercial and financial awareness.

Full UK driving licence is essential.

Ability to travel regularly between locations (Car/Car Allowance - Band 3 provided).

The Company

ISS is a world-leading workplace and facility management company, connecting people and places to make the world work better. Working with customers day by day, side by side, we understand every aspect of the user experience.

Through a unique combination of intelligent solutions, high standards and people who care, to help our customers achieve their purpose, whether it’s hospitals healing patients, businesses producing the next great innovation, or airports bringing passengers home to their families. ISS is committed to doing business the right way, taking its corporate responsibility very seriously. Our passion is people.

We offer you a challenging and exciting career in an organisation with people at its heart. In ISS, everyone has the opportunity to develop, grow and make a difference. #Becomewhoyouwant, #Bepartofsomethingbigger,

#aplacetobeyou,

#facilitiesmanagement

ISS is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer.

ISS welcomes all applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin and caste), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background.

We are proud to be a Gold Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award holder and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, recognising our commitment to supporting veterans, reservists, and military families. Through our Joint Forces Programme, we provide mentoring and support to members of the Armed Forces community and their spouses as they transition into civilian careers.

We are a Disability Confident Committed (Level 2) employer, proudly supporting and promoting inclusive hiring practices in line with the UK government’s Disability Confident scheme.

Our passion for inclusivity and diversity makes ISS a more creative, productive and happy place to work.

If you have any further queries regarding this role, please contact the Resourcing Team by emailing resourcing.team@uk.issworld.com

To find out more about what we do go here - https://www.uk.issworld.com/