Assistant Operations Manager

Job Introduction

• Full time
• 40 Hours per week
• Up to £35000 per annum
• Opportunities for professional development
• Plus our Sodexo employee benefits package

Assistant Operations Manager

Manchester, M17 1NX  - Full time

At Sodexo, we’re passionate about our people. We know that our teams are the key to delivering exceptional service and creating meaningful experiences for our clients, customers, and employees. 

Sodexo is looking for a proactive and experienced Assistant Operations Manager to support the delivery of Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) services across our Manchester and Skelmersdale sites. The successful candidate will assist the General Services Manager in ensuring operational excellence, compliance, and high-quality service delivery in line with contractual, safety, and performance standards.

This role requires a strong leader with proven experience in facilities management, excellent people management skills, and the ability to deliver results in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

As a Assistant Operations Manager you'll: 

• Support the GSM in managing and delivering IFM services to achieve cost, quality, and compliance targets.
• Lead and motivate supervisors and service leads to ensure effective day-to-day operations and a strong team culture.
• Manage and oversee third-party contractors, ensuring compliance and value for money.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and operational best practice.
• Ensure full compliance with Sodexo, client, and statutory Health & Safety (HSE) standards.
• Support financial performance by monitoring budgets, identifying efficiencies, and implementing cost-saving opportunities.
• Establish and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted partner in achieving service excellence.
• Oversee the training, development, and performance management of site-based teams.
• Support business continuity planning and ensure operational readiness at all times.
• Participate in formal client reviews and contribute to site business development initiatives.

What we're looking for:

• Experience working in an Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) environment, with strong soft services knowledge.
• Proven leadership and people management experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• IOSH or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
• Ability to interpret and manage financial information and budgets.
• Strong IT literacy, including Microsoft Office and relevant FM/financial systems.
• Previous experience in operational management within a GMP or FMCG environment.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of contract management and development.
• Ability to engage and motivate teams to deliver continuous improvement.

Why Sodexo?:

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. 

Belong in a company and team that values you for you. 

Act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions.

Thrive in your own way. 

We also offer a range of perks, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited access to an online platform offering wellbeing support 
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme to help with everyday issues or life's larger problems, including legal and financial advice, support with work or personal issues impacting your wellbeing
• Access to a 24hr virtual GP Service
• Sodexo Discounts Scheme, offering great deals 24/7 across popular high street retailers (also open to friends and family)
• Save for your future by becoming a member of the Pension Plan
• Opportunities to enable colleagues to grow and succeed throughout their career at Sodexo, including a variety of learning and development tools
• Bike to Work Scheme to help colleagues to do their bit for the environment whilst keeping fit
• Sodexo UK and Irelands enhanced benefits and leave policies

A little more about Sodexo:

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better every day for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100million consumers each day through our unique combination of On-Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer. We are a forces friendly employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with a diverse variety of experiences, backgrounds and identities. We encourage our employees to get involved with our Employee Networks such as Pride, Sodexo Parents & Carers, Sodexo Disability, Ability network, SoTogether, Generations and Origins.

We’re a Disability Confident Leader employer. We’re committed to changing attitudes towards disability, and making sure disabled people have the chance to fulfil their aspirations. We run a Disability Confident interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.

Click here to read more about what we do to promote an inclusive culture.

Ready to be part of something greater? 

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications