Operations Manager - Northumbria University

Operations Manager - Northumbria University

Join to apply for the Operations Manager - Northumbria University role at Chartwells Universities

Location: Northumbria University
Business: Chartwells – part of Compass Group UK & Ireland

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Operations Manager to join our senior management team at Northumbria University
, working in partnership with our client to deliver outstanding food, hospitality and event catering experiences for students, staff and visitors. This is a key strategic role, responsible for operational excellence, commercial performance, customer experience and people leadership across a busy, multi‑outlet university campus. If you’re passionate about food, love delivering great events and thrive in a fast‑paced environment, we’d love to hear from you.

• Ensure full compliance with food safety, health & safety, brand, legal and contractual standards, maintaining excellent audit results
• Implement and monitor operational standards consistently across all units
• Proactively identify and mitigate operational risks
• Ensure accurate reporting and adherence to company and university policies

• Lead, support and develop operational teams through clear communication, coaching and visible leadership
• Create a positive, inclusive and high‑performing team culture
• Manage recruitment, retention, succession planning and absence management
• Develop management capability through regular 1:1s, performance reviews and development plans

• Act as a key member of the Senior Management Team, contributing to strategy and decision‑making
• Collaborate with peers to deliver shared objectives
• Support change initiatives and represent operations confidently with university stakeholders

• Drive sales growth, cost control and labour optimisation
• Analyse financial performance and implement action plans to improve margins
• Support commercial strategies, promotions and events aligned to the university calendar
• Ensure effective stock management, pricing and purchasing controls

• Champion a customer‑first culture across all outlets
• Use feedback and insight to continuously improve service and offer
• Work closely with university stakeholders to ensure services meet evolving needs
• Lead by example in delivering warm, professional service

You’ll be a confident, visible leader with a genuine passion for food, people and service excellence. Comfortable engaging with students and senior stakeholders alike, you’ll bring energy, creativity and commercial focus to everything you do.

• Proven experience in contract catering, ideally within a multi‑unit environment
• Strong knowledge of food safety, health & safety and legislative compliance
• Demonstrable commercial capability, including budget management and margin improvement
• Excellent people management and leadership skills
• Experience contributing as part of a senior management team
• Clear, confident communication and stakeholder management skills

• Experience in a higher education setting
• Multi‑site contract catering experience
• Relevant qualification in H&S, management or commercial disciplines

As part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, you’ll be joining a market‑leading organisation that values its people, invests in development and is passionate about delivering great food and memorable experiences.

• Free meals
• Free on‑site gym
• Free onsite swimming pool access
• 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…