We are looking for an experienced and highly capable Central Kitchen Operations Manager to lead the full operational performance of our Central Kitchen. This is a site-based leadership role responsible for production, product consistency, compliance, food safety, people development, and operational excellence at scale.
You will own the production environment end-to-end — ensuring accuracy, quality, and efficiency across all processes, while driving continuous improvement and supporting Pure’s growth as a multi-channel, multi-site food business.
This is a role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced CPU/CK environment, is deeply organised, understands traceability and SALSA standards, and can lead a team to deliver consistent output with pride.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, and develop the entire Central Kitchen team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and wellbeing.
- Recruit, onboard, and train team members (including night shifts where applicable).
- Build strong succession plans (“Plan Bs”) and maintain an accurate organisational structure.
- Ensure daily briefs, performance check-ins, and strong communication channels.
- Uphold high standards of professionalism, teamwork, and engagement.
Operational Leadership
- Oversee all day-to-day Central Kitchen operations to deliver safe, consistent, high-quality food at scale.
- Ensure all production meets agreed specifications, weight, portions, and presentation standards.
- Maintain full compliance with food safety, HACCP, SALSA, FoodBuy, and EHO requirements.
- Implement and maintain traceability systems, batch coding, and robust record keeping.
- Build and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to standardise workflow, minimise waste, and improve accuracy.
- Lead CP processes, daily run sheets, night shift workflows, and end-of-shift cleaning routines.
- Manage equipment, maintenance schedules, and ensure the site remains fully operational at all times.
Project Management & Strategic Improvement
- Drive operational improvement projects including automation, digital traceability, process redesign, and new equipment implementation.
- Lead strategic long-term development of the Central Kitchen — including potential relocation, expansion, or infrastructure upgrades.
- Partner cross-functionally with Retail, Menu Development, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations to ensure alignment and innovation.
- Analyse operational data to identify trends, reduce waste, improve efficiency, and strengthen throughput.
- Manage the full P&L for the Central Kitchen, ensuring labour, waste, purchasing, and overheads stay within target.
- Produce accurate forecasts, budgets, and weekly financial reports.
- Constantly look for cost efficiencies without compromising product quality.
- Control ordering, purchasing, and supplier performance for optimal value and consistency.
Quality, Food Safety & Compliance
- Ensure all products consistently meet Pure’s highest quality standards.
- Maintain and strengthen quality assurance systems, cross-checking production accuracy, weights, temperatures, and shelf life.
- Conduct internal audits and ensure readiness for SALSA, EHO, and internal compliance checks at all times.
- Implement corrective actions swiftly when deviations occur.
- Create a culture where food safety is non-negotiable at every stage.
Required Experience
To be successful in this role, you must have direct, hands-on experience in a Central Kitchen, CPU, or food manufacturing environment.
- Significant experience in a Central Kitchen, CPU, large-scale kitchen, or food manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge and hands-on experience with traceability systems, SALSA standards, HACCP, and structured compliance procedures.
- Proven ability to build and implement new processes, SOPs, and production workflows.
- Demonstrated experience managing large, diverse teams across multiple shifts.
- Strong financial acumen and experience owning a P&L.
- Project management experience, ideally including automation or infrastructure upgrades.
- High organisational ability, calm under pressure, and solutions-focused.
- A passion for quality, consistency, and operational excellence.
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