Area Operations Manager (Support Office) - Central London

Area Operations Manager (Support Office) - Central London

Area Operations Manager at WatchHouse.

The Area Operations Manager will be directly linked to the future success of our existing Houses and the growth of our business. We require a candidate who will be able to foster a positive culture within our small team of House Managers and lead from the front when it comes to the strategy.

They'll be responsible for looking after up to eight unique Houses, each with a different dynamic, being able to maximise sales, performance and standards. For this role you will report into the Managing Director, and work alongside the other Area Operations Manager and wider Support Office team.

Directly reports into (Line Manager): Operations Director.

Key Responsibilities:

• Hands on management, leading from the front. Not afraid to get stuck in when needed.
• Full P&L accountability for your area, and being able to ensure that all of your Houses are performing in line with budget.
• Influential people management with proven experience in leading and importantly developing teams.
• Overseeing due diligence and ensuring that each site is compliant with H&S etc- ensuring complaints with the WatchHouse LMS and Food Alert systems.
• A thinker and a doer, able to work on your own initiative and also contribute positively to a growing business.
• A keen eye for detail when it comes to the way our cafes look and feel- led by the WatchHouse Brand Standards.
• Positive ambassadorship of the brand, assisting and overseeing the local level marketing of the sites by the management team to grow sales.
• Working alongside the People Team to ensure recruitment needs of the Houses are met in a good timescale.
• Encouraging training and ongoing development of all of your teams and recognising and nurturing talent and ensuring that all processes are in place to create and maintain a cohesive team.
• All sites are adhering to health and safety and food safety guidelines at all times, our teams are well trained in the area and we are compliant and at all times with the law.
• Facilitating monthly House Manager meetings to discuss the current business, inform them of any future plans or changes, facilitate any business specific training and create a supportive and open community within our management team.
• Any ad-hoc duties as outlined by the Operations Director/Culture Director/Managing Director/House Managers as and when required for the business.

The role in more detail:

The Area Operations Manager must have a passion for driving their House's and instilling standards across our teams. Vital to the successful growth of WatchHouse, they must embody our four Core Values; Diligence, Can Do, Passion and Empathy whilst possessing a growth mindset.

A highly organised individual with honesty and integrity, who puts their team at the forefront of everything they do, the Area Operations Manager must have impeccable communication skills across all levels and the ability to adapt management styles and methods depending on the audience.

Strong attention to detail is crucial to this role, whilst demonstrating a great commercial acumen and a desire to learn and develop in the role.

Key to this role:

• To be self-motivated and take initiative within the role, problem solving and troubleshooting where needed. Showing you can make improvements across the board where you feel necessary.
• Flexible approach to working hours to ensure busy periods and New House Openings are covered, including weekend, evening and Bank Holiday work where necessary.
• Oratory skills and your ability to make yourself heard in the company is vital to the success of your position. The Area Operations Manager needs to accurately and easily communicate standards and deliverables to the House Managers, set targets and maintain standards.
• Hold an utter passion for people, customers and hospitality. Experience in specialty coffee or a premium hospitality business is key to the success of this role.
• Can follow Health and Safety procedures meticulously.
• Experience in setting and meeting KPIs, targets and outlining sales strategies and initiatives.
• Proven track records in people management, with the ability to network, train, develop and assess talent. You must inspire those around you to meet your excellent standards.
• Creative and energetic, finding new ways to drive sales across our Houses.
• Strong planning and organisational skills with a sense of priority for deadlines and attention to detail. Experience of working across different levels within an organisation.

Working at WatchHouse.

WatchHouse was born from a passion to do better. Diligence and attention to detail are paramount to what we do, we focus on the detail. We strive for perfection. We really care.

We are a people first business, curious and interested in those around us. We treat everyone with respect. We pride ourselves on creating an environment where diversity is celebrated, equality is insisted and inclusion expected.

A company where we believe in having the right person in the role; personality and individuality at the top of the list of what we are looking for in applications and throughout our hiring process.

We also know that everyone is different, and we value and respect diversity, standing up for equality and standing against any form of discrimination.

Decisions about and the treatment of people at work should be based on the individual's abilities, skills, performance and behaviour- these should be assessed against the WatchHouse job description requirements for each individual role.

We are always patient and considerate towards others. Encouraging, approachable and communicating brilliantly. We strive to be the best we can be, by giving and receiving regular and honest feedback in a professional manner.

We plan ahead, prioritise and are mindful and respect the time of others. We complete every task to the best of our ability. Always happy to ask for help, work in cohesion with other people/departments and share successes.

We work to make WatchHouse an environment of trust and comradery, where others are inspired to play their part in working effectively together. Building strong relationships with others and demonstrating positive energy. We recognise and value the contribution of others across the business, working together to deliver the Modern Coffee experience to each and every person touched by our business.

Our four core values - passion, can do, diligence and empathy - are what makes WatchHouse who we are. Our decisions are made based on these principles. To grow and succeed at WatchHouse, it is imperative that these values also resonate strongly with you, and can drive your ambition in the same way they do ours.