Central Operations Manager
Location: Milton Keynes (Hybrid – 2 days in the office + regular restaurant site visits)
Salary: £58,000–£60,000
Reports to: Head of Central Operations
Recruitment Partner: CORElevate is supporting this organisation in the search for a Central Operations Manager.
About the Role
We are recruiting a Central Operations Manager to support a newly restructured Operations function within a well-known QSR organisation. You will play a key role in improving operational efficiency, coordinating cross-functional projects, and enhancing the overall customer experience.
This position is ideal for an experienced operator, someone with a background in restaurants, area management, or central support, who is now looking to step into a more analytical and project-focused role.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Excellence
* Analyse and improve core operational processes, including kitchen workflows, product make lines, and back-of-house efficiency.
* Identify operational inefficiencies and develop practical solutions to improve speed, accuracy, and consistency.
* Support initiatives that directly enhance customer satisfaction and reduce friction in the guest experience.
Project Management & Cross-Functional Delivery
* Manage and coordinate key operational projects across departments including Marketing, Development, Finance, and HR.
* Ensure initiatives are operationally realistic and deliver measurable benefits for customers and teams.
* Track progress, risks, and timelines to maintain momentum and ensure smooth delivery.
Data & Reporting
* Lead data-driven reporting across compliance, customer feedback, sales, and operational performance.
* Translate insights into clear actions that drive performance improvement.
* Work closely with the Head of Central Operations to monitor trends and identify priority areas.
Compliance & Customer Experience
* Support compliance monitoring to ensure all sites operate to required standards.
* Review customer service and feedback data to identify root causes and potential improvements.
* Recommend solutions that elevate consistency, quality, and the overall guest experience.
Operational Support
* Conduct regular restaurant visits to understand operational challenges first-hand.
* Work closely with restaurant teams to ensure initiatives are grounded in the realities of day-to-day operations.
* Act as a connector between central teams and operational sites.
What We’re Looking For
Essential Experience
* Strong operational background in hospitality, QSR, casual dining, or food retail.
* Experience in restaurant management, multi-site operations, or central operations support.
* Good understanding of workflow optimisation, operational discipline, and customer-focused improvements.
* Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational, customer, and compliance data.
* Confident managing cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders.