Head of Food Operations - Central London Monday to Friday

Job Title: Head of Food Operations

Location: Central London

Contract Type: Full-time

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

Working Days: Monday - Friday

Shift Pattern: Mainly daytime hours, business needs may require flexibility

Holiday Entitlement: 25 days plus Bank Holidays

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and visionary Head of Food Operations to oversee the successful delivery of our culinary strategy across all divisions. In this pivotal role, you will ensure exceptional and consistent food standards, drive operational excellence, and champion sustainability initiatives across multiple sites.

Working closely with our Culinary Director, you will lead a team of talented chefs, manage supplier relationships, and support the ongoing development and success of our apprenticeship programme. Your strategic oversight and operational leadership will contribute to outstanding guest experiences, strong compliance outcomes, and commercial performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure culinary consistency and excellent food quality across all business units
• Lead operational food delivery at all sites, maintaining compliance and brand standards
• Drive sustainability, CSR, and responsible procurement initiatives
• Manage supplier performance, negotiation, and onboarding processes
• Maintain full compliance with food legislation, audits, and due diligence standards
• Oversee cost control, budget ownership, and procurement governance
• Lead the operational delivery of our apprenticeship programme
• Recruit, develop, and retain culinary talent, fostering a high-performance culture
• Support mobilisations, new openings, and ongoing operational readiness
• Provide leadership in response to audits, food alerts, and compliance actions
• Analyse data to optimise operational efficiency and financial performance
• Partner with HR and recruitment teams to ensure a robust talent pipeline

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in operational leadership within hospitality or foodservice
• Creative, trend-aware professional with a passion for quality and innovation
• Strong understanding of modern café, deli, and grab-and-go food concepts
• Skilled project manager with excellent communication capability
• Strong sustainability mindset and knowledge of responsible sourcing
• Comprehensive understanding of food safety and compliance frameworks
• Confident leader with the ability to influence and engage diverse teams
• Ability to manage multiple sites and deliver against tight deadlines

Benefits

• Competitive package and performance-driven culture
• Opportunity to shape and influence our culinary strategy
• Training and development programmes including apprenticeships
• Access to wellbeing resources and colleague support initiatives
• Working with a passionate, collaborative team

Start Date

ASAP / To be confirmed with successful candidate

About Bennett Hay

At Bennett Hay, we are known for delivering exceptional guest service and creating memorable experiences across London. Our personalised approach ensures every detail is perfect for our clients and their guests. As proud recipients of the Investors in People Gold accreditation, we are committed to the wellbeing and professional growth of our colleagues.

If you're passionate about people, food, and creating outstanding hospitality experiences, we'd love to hear from you!