Title:  Group Operations Manager

Job Description

We’re looking for an inspiring and commercially‑savvy Group Operations Manager to lead our Secondary Schools portfolio across South Wales. You’ll support Catering Managers, Chefs, and Kitchen Teams to deliver fresh, nutritious food and create an exceptional daily experience for students and staff.

You’ll bring strong contract catering experience, a passion for food, and the confidence to drive performance, innovate, and build trusted client relationships. Reporting to the Director of Operations, you’ll shape service standards, lead key projects, and champion a culture of continuous improvement while ensuring operational excellence across all sites.

If you’ve got the energy, leadership presence, and operational expertise to elevate our school catering offer — we’d love to hear from you.

What's in it for you:

• We are offering a salary of £33,000- £35,000
• Weekend and weekday shifts
• Company pension
• Discounted food on shift
• Free parking
• MyStaff Shop discounts
• Generous Annual Leave, increasing in line with service with the ability to buy extra days
• EAP in house mental health champion
• Full training and ample opportunities to progress across the Aramark estate

Job Responsibilities

• Proven experience in education contract catering and managing high‑volume operations.
• Strong, confident people leadership with the ability to inspire, coach, and develop large operational teams.
• Commercially astute with P&L accountability and a track record of driving profitability.
• Excellent communication and client‑relationship skills, able to engage confidently at all levels.
• Passion for food, innovation, and delivering an exceptional student‑focused experience.
• High attention to detail with a methodical, structured approach to operations and standards.
• Calm, resilient, and adaptable—able to problem‑solve and respond effectively to changing demands.
• Strong understanding of health, safety, and hygiene compliance, ensuring a culture of safety across all sites.

Key Requirements

• Proven leadership in education contract catering, with experience managing high‑volume, multi‑site operations.
• Strong commercial acumen, including P&L management and the ability to drive profitability in a low‑margin environment.
• Exceptional communication and client‑management skills, able to build trust and influence at all levels.
• Passion for food, innovation, and the student experience, bringing fresh ideas and a commitment to service excellence.
• Resilient, detail‑focused and adaptable, with the ability to problem‑solve, lead change, and maintain high standards of safety and compliance.

About Aramark

If you are applying for this role and you already work for Aramark, you must notify your line manager before submitting your application.

At Aramark UK, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and empowered to thrive. As a proud Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all abilities and are dedicated to supporting employees with disabilities throughout their career journey. 

We ensure our recruitment process is accessible, and reasonable adjustments are available at every stage, from application to interview and employment. If you require any accommodations or have any questions, please reach out to our recruitment team – careers@aramark.co.uk 

Join us in fostering a workplace where everyone can achieve their full potential. 

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.