Job Title: Operations Manager
Location: Newcastle Area
Full-Time | £50,000 - £55,000 per year + Bonus + Car Allowance
Our Client is a market-leading contract caterer specialising in school food, combining deep knowledge of the education sector with high-street food trends to create fantastic food experiences for children. Due to successful and rapid growth, our Client is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead catering operations across a portfolio of Primary and Secondary school contracts in the Newcastle area.
Contract Management: Ensure all contracted services are adhered to, delivered, and enhanced to meet and exceed client and customer expectations.
Financial Oversight: Continually review contract performance and profitability, strictly controlling costs without compromising service quality.
Culinary Standards: Ensure food is of the highest standard and aligned with current high-street trends.
Team Leadership: Manage, support, and foster the development, progress, and performance of line-reporting managers, maintaining high engagement levels.
Business Growth & Compliance: Support the sales function in retaining existing business and obtaining new business. Ensure compliance with all Health & Safety and Hygiene procedures and standards.
Experience: Previous experience in education and managing multiple sites is required. Currently working in the contract catering/education sector in a similar multi-site role.
Leadership: Ability to support, coach, and develop teams while instilling a passion for meeting high standards and excellent service.
Communication: Excellent communication skills, enabling you to lead client meetings, manage expectations, and overcome challenges.
Operational Approach: Service-focused and process-led, ensuring standards, procedures, and systems are maintained and followed.
Skills: Excellent computer skills, the ability to work under your own initiative, and a desire to learn and achieve.
Career Growth: As one of the UK's fastest-growing independent businesses, there is an endless opportunity to develop your career.
Development: Fantastic learning and development programmes with the ability to gain qualifications and dedicated support.
Total Rewards: Competitive salary and car allowance/car, plus a brand new benefits programme including:
Private healthcare.
Enhanced parental leave.
The opportunity to spend your birthday as a non-working day.
Note: Our client expects all staff to share their commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/young people, and an enhanced DBS disclosure will be sought by the company.
Pineapple Recruitment is acting as a recruitment agency on behalf of our client for this position.
Contact us about this vacancy
Recruiter: Dennis Bambury
Phone number: 07483 451198
Email: dennis.bambury@pineapple-recruitment.co.uk
Location Newcastle, United Kingdom
Salary £50000 - £55000 Per Annum
Job Reference REF2530
Posted on Posted on 19 November 2025
Category Contract Catering