Head of Catering Operations
Contract Catering – Multi-Site Operations
Location: Surrey - South East
Salary: circa £75,000 DOE + Exceptional Package
We're hiring a proven leader to take full ownership of a high-value, multi-site catering contract. If you're commercially focused, passionate about food, and thrive in dynamic, high-pressure environments, this is a standout opportunity to make your mark at a senior level.
You'll be responsible for overseeing a portfolio of busy operations, managing a senior team, and delivering outstanding service, client satisfaction, and financial performance. You'll drive growth, lead change, and ensure operational excellence across all sites.
If you're commercially minded, client-focused, and a true foodie at heart, this senior role puts you at the centre of strategic delivery, growth, and operational excellence.
Key responsibilities:
Lead and develop a senior team across multiple high-volume sites
Own the full P&L for a multi-million-pound contract, hitting financial and operational targets
Deliver consistently high standards in food, service, and client engagement
Build strong, lasting relationships with stakeholders at every level
Shape and implement commercial strategies to support business growth and retention
Use data and feedback to identify opportunities, improve performance, and drive innovation
Work closely with internal teams — including HR, marketing, and procurement — to align service delivery and business goals
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Must have:
Significant experience leading multi-site operations in the contract catering or foodservice sector
Strong commercial acumen and a proven ability to manage large-scale budgets
A strategic mindset combined with hands-on leadership — you lead by example
Excellent client management and communication skills
A track record of delivering high standards, business growth, and operational success
Experience leading change and embedding process improvements across complex teams
A genuine passion for great food, great service, and great people
Who You Are
You've led from the front — managing teams, budgets, and large contracts. You've helped businesses grow and retain key clients by delivering exceptional results. You're calm under pressure, solutions-focused, and always looking for ways to elevate performance.
Most importantly, you bring the energy and leadership that gets teams behind a shared goal.