Central Operations Executive
Department: Central Operations
Location: London SE1 (Office-Based/Hybrid)
Salary: £33,000–£35,000 per annum, depending on experience
About Lean Kitchen Network
Lean Kitchen Network is a venture builder behind some of the UK's most commercially successful and culturally relevant food brands. We take ideas people obsess over and turn them into brands that perform at scale.
We push flavour, challenge outdated restaurant models, and engineer growth through ruthless operational execution.
We partner with global names like Doritos, Heinz and PepsiCo, and our brands now operate in 300+ kitchens across the UK and are scaling fast.
Behind every launch, every new partner, every menu update and every operational improvement is a team of people making it happen. That's where our Central Operations Team comes in.
As a Central Operations Executive, you'll sit at the heart of the business, helping onboard new partners, launch sites, manage operational systems, improve processes and keep the engine running as we continue to grow.
This is a role for someone who loves organisation, technology, problem-solving and getting things done. You'll gain exposure to every part of the business while building a career in operations, project management, systems and business growth.
The Role
The Central Operations Team is the engine room of Lean Kitchen Network.
As a Central Operations Executive, you'll play a critical role in supporting the day-to-day running of the business, ensuring our partners are successfully onboarded, our systems are maintained and improved, and our internal operations run efficiently.
You'll work closely with teams across Operations, Commercial, Supply Chain, Finance and Food Development, helping turn plans into action and ensuring projects are delivered accurately and on time.
No two days are the same. One day you may be onboarding a new partner, the next improving a business process, resolving a systems issue, launching a menu update, supporting supply chain activity or coordinating the opening of a new site.
Key Responsibilities
Partner Onboarding & Site Launches
* Own the onboarding journey for new partner locations from sign-up through to launch.
* Coordinate onboarding activities across internal teams, suppliers and partners.
* Ensure all operational systems and menu requirements are completed accurately and on time.
* Work closely with field teams to ensure successful launches and partner readiness.
* Monitor onboarding progress, identify blockers and drive actions through to completion.
* Help deliver a seamless experience for partners joining the Lean Kitchen Network.
Systems & Technology
* Maintain and manage key operational systems including POS, middleware, delivery platform integrations and CRM platforms.
* Coordinate menu updates, product launches, pricing changes and system configurations.
* Act as a key owner of operational platforms and become a subject matter expert in the tools that power the business.
* Troubleshoot operational and systems issues, escalating where required.
* Support the implementation of new technology, automation and operational tools.
* Continuously identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and ways of working.
Business Operations
* Support the day-to-day running of Central Operations and wider business activities.
* Maintain organised documentation, files, records and operational resources across the business.
* Ensure SOPs, process documents and internal knowledge resources remain accurate and up to date.
* Coordinate actions and projects across departments to ensure priorities are delivered.
* Support reporting, analysis and business administration activities as required.
* Help create structure, organisation and operational excellence across the company.
Supply Chain & Operational Support
* Support stock management, supplier coordination and ordering processes.
* Assist with forecasting, inventory tracking and supply chain administration.
* Work closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure operational continuity.
* Support operational reporting, data analysis and business performance tracking.
* Help identify and resolve operational issues before they impact partners or customers.
What We're Looking For
Essential
* Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail.
* Proactive, self-motivated and comfortable taking ownership.
* Strong problem-solving skills and a solutions-focused mindset.
* Analytical and confident working with data, systems and technology.
* Strong communication skills with the ability to work across multiple teams.
* Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
* Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace and business software platforms.
* Strong administrative and organisational capabilities.
* A genuine interest in hospitality, operations, systems and business improvement.
Desirable
* Experience in hospitality, multi-site operations, project coordination, supply chain or business operations.
* Experience working with POS systems, middleware platforms or CRM systems.
* Familiarity with delivery platforms such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats or Just Eat.
* Experience supporting operational projects, launches or implementations.
* Experience using AI, automation or productivity tools to improve ways of working.
Career Growth
At Lean Kitchen Network, we believe in promoting from within.
This role offers a clear pathway into a variety of future opportunities including:
* Operations Management
* Project Management
* Supply Chain
* Strategic Projects
* Account Management
* Commercial Operations
You'll work directly with senior leaders across the business, gain exposure to multiple functions and play a meaningful role in helping scale one of the UK's fastest-growing food platform businesses.
Why Join Us?
* Work with some of the world's most recognisable food brands.
* Join a fast-growing and entrepreneurial business.
* Gain exposure to multiple areas of hospitality and business operations.
* Take ownership from day one and make a real impact.
* Learn from experienced operators and industry leaders.
* Build a long-term career with significant progression opportunities.
If you're organised, ambitious, technology-minded and love making things happen, we'd love to hear from you.