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Operations Manager - Northumbria University

Job in Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, SY7, England, UK
Listing for: Chartwells Universities
Full Time position
Listed on 2025-12-30
Job specializations:
  • Management
    Operations Manager
Job Description & How to Apply Below
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne

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

About

The Role

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.

Key Responsibilities Operational & Compliance Leadership
  • 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
People Leadership
  • 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
Senior Management Team Contribution
  • 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
Commercial Performance
  • 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
Customer Experience
  • 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
About you

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.

Essential Experience
  • 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
Desirable
  • Experience in a higher education setting
  • Multi‑site contract catering experience
  • Relevant qualification in H&S, management or commercial disciplines
Why join Chartwells?

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.

Benefits
  • 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…
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