Area Support Manager

Job Description: Area Support Manager

Salary: £35,000 – £38,000 + Car Allowance + Paid Mileage

Location: M4/M40 Corridor (Reading, Bracknell, Swindon)

Contract: Monday - Friday, Full-time, Permanent

The Opportunity

Our client is a market-leading contract caterer specialising in school food. They don’t just serve meals—they create fantastic food experiences that fuel young minds! By blending deep knowledge of the education sector with the latest high-street food trends, they encourage creativity and excitement in every kitchen.

As Area Support Manager, you will oversee a portfolio of Primary and Secondary school contracts, leading kitchen teams to deliver an exceptional food operation. Reporting to the Operations Manager, your success is measured by the quality, consistency, and retention of the business. This is a pivotal role for a service-led leader looking to join one of the UK’s fastest-growing independent businesses.

Key Responsibilities

• Client Relationship Management: Build and nurture strong, trusting working relationships with both new and existing clients to ensure long-term retention.

• Operational Excellence: Conduct regular unit audits to ensure strict adherence to company systems, procedures, and legislation.

• Strategic Support: Assist the Operations Manager in executing action plans to guarantee a consistently high-quality, service-led operation.

• Training & Development: Proactively identify training gaps and ensure all teams are fully trained, compliant, and motivated to elevate their skills.

• Business Growth: Support strategic expansion by assisting with sales presentations and ensuring the smooth mobilisation of new contracts.

The Ideal Profile

• Experience: A proven leader from the hospitality or contract catering sector (experience within school catering is a significant advantage).

• People Leadership: Excel at coaching and developing teams, instilling a shared passion for high standards and exceptional service.

• Communication: Confident in leading client meetings, managing expectations, and overcoming operational challenges professionally.

• Process-Driven: Equally focused on service and systems, ensuring standards and procedures are rigorously maintained.

• Technical Skills: High level of initiative with strong computer skills and a relentless desire to learn and achieve.

What’s On Offer

• Financials: Salary up to £38k + Car Allowance + Paid Mileage.

• Work-Life Balance: 40 hours per week, with an additional day of paid leave to spend your birthday doing something special!

• Health & Wellbeing: Private Healthcare and access to a brand-new benefits programme.

• Family Support: Enhanced Parental Leave and various saving schemes.

• Career Growth: Limitless opportunities for professional development and support in gaining qualifications every step of the way.

Note: As our client is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, an enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this role.

Pineapple Recruitment is acting as a Recruitment Agency on behalf of our client for this vacancy.