Contract Director

Job Introduction

Independents by Sodexo  are keen to speak with experienced Senior General Services Managers and Contract Directors for some upcoming  fantastic opportunities we have in the Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire  area. These roles will see you lead a large team across multiple outlets over a seven-day service to ensure a best in class catering service is delivered to all customers and clients.    

You will be the key point of contact for our client and all key stakeholders and it is key that you are able to demonstrate a proven track record in building and maintaining effective relationships whilst at the same time overseeing the delivery of a high class service within the agreed financial parameters of the contract. .

We want to hear from people that can take ideas on board and quickly translate them into actionable plans through to implementation These opportunities are based in an environment where you’ll need to be extremely flexible and be able to  adapt Independent by Sodexo’s offers to different audiences as appropriate.

And finally, we’re keen to speak to people that have operated in the education environment, however we would still love to hear from you if you feel you could add value in our hugely talented team.

You can check out Independents by Sodexo here http://www.independentsbysodexo.com/

Role Responsibility

• To engage in all relevant meetings as the senior onsite Sodexo representative as required by the client
• To liaise with all key stakeholders across the client– to give one point of contact and inspire trust and confidence
• To oversee the strategic planning of and execution of a “best in class” catering, hospitality, and events provision.
• To provide strong leadership to senior management team including Executive Chef, Catering Managers and Head of Hospitality and Events
• To ensure that operational standards meet the agreed standards in the contract and specifically meets both Sodexo brand standards and the client’s expectations of delivering the very best food and service in the independent school sector.
• To deliver a level of service that creates value for the customer and client
• To role model discipline and rigor in all mandatory and legislative processes, policies and systems.
• To seek feedback and commit to actions and agree timelines for change.
• To be client and customer centric – seize every opportunity, with client interactions, to show professionalism and credibility as a subject matter expert. Seek out opportunities for business improvement and growth.
• Strong financial acumen. Provide accurate and timely monthly, termly and annual reports for clients and Sodexo as required.
• To be responsive and efficient and work with speed and agility to ensure Sodexo are a flexible and valued partner

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• Experience in the hospitality industry within a high quality, high volume, seven-day environment
• Strong level of literacy and numeracy
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Exceptional leaderships skills and able to manage complex and multiple stakeholder relationships
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to be an effective team player
• Flexible, with the ability to work under pressure and across a range of shifts and service times
• Strong ability to increase individuals’ effectiveness through leadership, motivation, communication, coaching and training
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Ability to set and maintain high standards consistently
• A love of great food and great people
• A commitment to self-improvement and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Desirable

• Experience in the Independents School sector
• Industry qualifications and experience
• Intermediate Food Hygiene certificate
• IOSH Managing Safely
• Ability to review problems analytically, develop opportunities and implement innovative solutions / approaches
• PC literate
• Experience in and/ or knowledge of the education sector
• FM qualification or experience

Package Description

As part of our commitment to improving the quality of life for our employees, Sodexo offers a Flexible Benefits Scheme, allowing you to tailor a reward package to suit your needs but includes a technology scheme, private dental insurance, travel insurance, gym membership, Gourmet card, private medical insurance and the ability to purchase or sell annual leave. We also have a Sodexo Discount scheme, which offers employees and their friends and family the opportunity to benefit from over 1,200 discounts from top retailers both online and in-store.

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 36,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the energy, corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

At Sodexo we are committed to a leading role in promoting equality opportunities and valuing diversity and inclusion. We seek to create a work environment based on mutual respect for all individuals, building a culture that appreciates and values the experiences and skills brought by each person to benefit our organisation and work hard to ensure that all people, whatever their race, colour, sex, gender identity  disability, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religion or belief, marital/partnership or family status, sexual orientation, age, social class, educational background, employment status, working pattern, are welcome to and included within our organisation. 

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 are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process.