To direct, lead and coordinate school operations in meeting company and client objectives, maintaining highest possible standards of food service, overall performance whilst maximising efficiency and profitability.  

Lexington Independents is committed to safeguarding children and colleagues. Candidates that are shortlisted for this role, will be required to have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two suitable references.

The Operations Director plays a critical role in our business by managing and nurturing existing key accounts while strategically expanding our business footprint on a national level. This position requires a dynamic and results-driven individual who will be responsible for cultivating strong relationships with key clients, understanding their unique needs, and devising strategies to maximise customer satisfaction and revenue growth.

• Identify potential business opportunities and involve appropriate departments in conjunction with Operations Managers to maximise profitability of sites.
• Produce and agree all site business plans in conjunction with Business/Divisional Directors and Clients. 
• Produce annual site budgets and growth strategies in conjunction with Business/Divisional Directors, and Clients.
• Build and maintain effective communication network with Clients ensuring quality information is exchanged when appropriate.
• Work with site mangers on a day-to-day basis to increase and maintain profitability by taking actions as and when appropriate.
• You will play a pivotal role in site marketing, ensuring all merchandising is appropriate, creative, aligned with ours and the clients brand identity. 
• Recruit, develop, appraise & review managers identifying training and development needs ensuring effectiveness in current role, future development, and growth
• Champion and monitor all Health and Safety, Food Hygiene, EMS and HR procedures.
• Ensure all company and legislative policies and procedures are met, ensuring consistent compliance across all sites.
• Ensures a creative approach is taken to food and service and all site standards exceed Lexington’s and Client’s expectation.
• Take the lead in supporting company initiatives, projects and supporting areas of business development directly relating to operational excellence and success.
• Champion the Lexington people strategy and the wider Elior group people initiatives to maintain strong employee engagement and ensure that Lexington are represented at group level.
• Manages weekly/monthly financial performance, invoicing, and client reporting. Including relevant, accurate financial and operational supporting data.
• Develop and agree with Business/Divisional Directors effective businesses retention strategies.
• Lead new contract mobilisations working with the client to agree the strategy for success and working with sales, operations, food, and marketing teams to deliver expectations.
• Work closely with the Business/Divisional directors and sales team on new business, developing the operational proposals and deliver presentations and site visits.
• Deliver best practice & lead by example and demonstrate compliance across all areas.
• Safeguard food and service ethos & standards through LexDNA.
• Interpret financial & operational information to make recommendations, balancing both competitive advantage & Company profitability.
• Be aware of marketplace trends & competitor awareness.

In this role:

• Previous experience in operations teams with a financial turnover of more than £15m.
• Detailed knowledge of Education and B&I catering sector.
• Commercial (Hotels & Restaurant) knowledge advantageous.
• Proven experience of managing Hospitality (Fine Dining), Café and Staff Restaurants.
• Comfortable with managing complex HR processes - TUPE, restructures, variation of T&C's, SOSR, redundancies.

  Interpersonal Skills required:

•  To assist with the development of company and self to ensure continuous pro-active progression
• Ensure that Managers can relate to current policies and procedures to ensure quality service and ownership of individual site management.
• Proven experience in recruitment, development, evaluating and redundancies.
• Ensure Sites Managers are effectively by use of annual career conversations, reviews and target setting monthly and ensure any actions are carried out promptly and responsibly.
• Network with the wider Elior education/sales teams to review opportunities

At Lexington,  we strive to ensure that our colleagues feel appreciated & rewarded, which is why we offer generous rewards & benefits in exchange for your dedicated efforts.

FREE On-Site Lunches: Enjoy complimentary lunches, saving you time & money while ensuring you stay nourished & energised throughout the day.

Support Your Way of Life:

• Flexible Working: We offer full-time & part-time roles, with varying shift patterns across the business. Allowing colleagues the flexibility to balance their personal & professional commitments
• Holiday Allowance: Relax & recharge with 31 days holiday
• Family Leave: Prioritise family commitments with flexible leave options
• Paid Charity Leave: Make a positive impact with two additional paid days for charity work

Big Enough for Growth, Small Enough to Connect:

• Opportunities for career progression while developing a close-knit community

Supporting You Through Life’s Ups & Downs:

• Access mental health support & comprehensive wellbeing benefits

Keeping Finances & Wellbeing in Mind:

• Life assurance, workplace pension schemes, discounts, cashback, entertainment, leisure discounts, & a cycle-to-work scheme

Elior is a multi-award-winning people business and one of the UK’s leading contract caterers, with over 10,000 colleagues operating across a diverse range of sectors including:

• Workplaces & Office Space
• Sporting Venues & Stadiums
• Attraction & Heritage Sites
• Public Sector & Defence
• Health, Care & Hospitals
• Schools, Colleges & Universities

Along with our purpose of enriching lives everywhere, every day, we’re committed to an inclusive culture and want our people to feel appreciated, supported, and fulfilled.

That’s why 85% of colleagues tell us how proud they are to work for us!