Job Description
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Mobilisation Support Lead – InStore (Compass Group)
Brand New Sainsbury’s Café Openings | UK-Wide Mobilisation
Location: Plymouth, Flexible / UK-wide (location variable) Company Car Provided Salary: £35,000 per annum Contract: 6-month Fixed Term Contract (with further opportunities within InStore)
Be at the forefront of launching brand-new Sainsbury’s Cafés across the UK.
InStore, part of Compass Group, is behind some of the UK’s most recognisable retail and food partnerships. We’re now rolling out exciting, brand-new Sainsbury’s Café sites nationwide — and we’re looking for a Mobilisation Support Lead to help bring them to life.
This is a hands-on, fast-paced role where no two weeks look the same. You’ll be travelling across the UK, supporting multiple new café openings, working shoulder-to-shoulder with operational teams and project managers to ensure every site launches smoothly, safely, and successfully.
The role forms part of a wider mobilisation and growth programme, with the expectation that — following the mobilisation phase — successful candidates will be well-placed to move into an InStore Retail Management position within a Sainsbury’s Café, subject to business requirements and location.
If you thrive in mobilisations, enjoy building something from the ground up, and want to transition into an operational retail management role — this is the role for you.
What you’ll be doingMobilisation & Delivery
Support the end-to-end mobilisation of new Sainsbury’s Café openings, ensuring sites open on time, on budget, and to One Retail standards
Work as a core member of the mobilisation project team across multiple sites
Own mobilisation plans, coordinating actions and timelines with local operational teams
Act as the key link between Operations, Project Managers, and support functions throughout mobilisation
Support the successful handover of cafes into InStore Retail Management following opening
Stakeholder Management
Build strong working relationships with internal teams including Operations, Sales, HR, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, and H&S
Liaise with external partners such as suppliers, facilities teams, contractors, and design teams
Confidently influence, challenge, and problem-solve to keep mobilisations moving forward
Quality, Safety & Compliance
Ensure food safety, health & safety, and brand standards are embedded from day one
Identify risks early and work with stakeholders to implement practical solutions
Ensure full compliance throughout the mobilisation phase
Continuous Improvement
Capture lessons learned from each mobilisation to improve future openings
Share insights with operational teams to support ongoing performance
Look for opportunities to enhance efficiency, quality, and commercial results
What we’re looking for
You’ll be someone who:
Has a “can-do” attitude and thrives in a fast-moving environment
Is highly organised, adaptable, and comfortable juggling multiple xcunqrw site openings
Brings strong stakeholder management and communication skills
Is commercially aware, with confidence around budgets and delivery deadlines
Enjoys problem-solving and staying calm under pressure
Is mobile, flexible, and happy to travel across the UK (including overnight stays)
Key requirements
Full UK driving licence
Willingness to travel nationwide as part of a UK mobilisation role
Experience in mobilisations, openings, or multi-site operations(Hospitality, retail, or food experience preferred)
What’s in it for you?
£35,000 salary
Company car
Opportunity to work on high-profile, brand-new Sainsbury’s Café launches
A 6-month FTC aligned to a national mobilisation programme
Exposure to Compass Group’s wider InStore business
Opportunity to progress into an InStore Retail Management role following mobilisation, subject to business needs
A chance to make a visible, lasting impact from day one