Head Of Coffee Restaurant Associates Posted Operations

Head of Coffee & Hot Beverages

Salary: £40,000 |

Location:

Canary Wharf (with occasional NI & ROI travel)

Reports to:

Deputy Account Director

A major new workplace opening in 2026 requires an exceptional leader to design, mobilise, and deliver a premium hot beverage and retail café programme for all service streams.

This role blends coffee expertise, retail leadership, and operational mobilisation. The successful candidate will shape every element of the guest experience — from espresso quality and bakery presentation to merchandising, flow, and retail execution — with uncompromising attention to detail.

• Own the full operational delivery of coffee, bakery, grab-and-go, and retail merchandising across three premium coffee bars.
• Lead the mobilisation of the hot beverage and retail programme across phased openings.
• Conduct regular audits across coffee bars, retail displays, bakery quality, and service standards.
  Train all baristas, bakery leads, and hospitality teams on beverage craft, retail standards, and product knowledge
• Identify new trends and opportunities across coffee, bakery, and retail.

• Background in major B&I contract catering
• Multi-site coffee/beverage leadership across retail, vending, and hospitality
• Strong technical skills with espresso, batch brew, and bean-to-cup equipment
• Experience delivering large mobilisations and working with corporate stakeholders

• New-site openings or major mobilisation experience
• Project management exposure

We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not not limited to:

• Free meals
• Subsidised gym membership
• Contributory pension scheme
• Grow your career with our Career Pathways and My Learning programmes
• Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
• Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia,  and many more
• Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
• Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
• Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
• Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
• You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families

Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services. We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together. Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.

Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers. We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members. We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!