Operational Excellence Manager

Role overview

This position offers a senior leadership opportunity to guide operational excellence across a national portfolio. You will help define strategy, improve customer and service outcomes, and support the evolution of operating models across multiple sectors and brands.

Working closely with senior leaders, you will bring innovation, structure, and commercial thinking to a high-visibility role that influences business performance and future growth.

The opportunity

As the Operational Excellence Manager, you will lead the creation and rollout of best-in-class operational standards across the Business, Industry, Education, and Sports & Leisure portfolio. In this strategic role, you will act as a partner to leadership teams, drive service innovation, and help ensure the organisation stays competitive, customer-centric, and operationally strong.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement operational excellence models, standard operating procedures, and brand standards.
• Review market movements, competitor activity, and new ideas to shape strategy and improve operations.
• Lead important transformation work such as mobilisations, tender responses, service redesign, and broader change programmes.
• Improve the full customer journey to strengthen both client and end-user experience.
• Partner with stakeholders across operations, finance, safety, and people functions to build alignment and drive delivery.

What we are looking for

The ideal candidate will bring senior operational leadership experience, preferably from food services or a similar service-based environment. You should be commercially aware, comfortable leading change, and able to turn strategy into practical results.

Success in this role will require strong analytical thinking, excellent organisation, confident communication, and the ability to influence and motivate stakeholders at all levels.

Benefits and perks

• Competitive remuneration with bonus potential and a comprehensive benefits package.
• A high-impact leadership role in a fast-moving, growth-oriented sector.
• The chance to guide and develop a strong-performing team.
• Opportunities for career growth within a global Compass Group environment.
• A collaborative and supportive workplace culture.
• Access to discounts on medical insurance, banking, accommodation, and other services.
• Flexible working options and employee assistance support.

About the company

Compass Group New Zealand is the country’s largest food and support services provider, working across a range of industries. Its sub-brands include Eurest, Chartwells, Restaurant Associates, Medirest, ESS, and Rapport.

The organisation is focused on creating memorable service experiences and is committed to strong values, including respect, growth, and teamwork. Diversity, sustainability, and inclusion are also central to the way the business operates.

Additional information

• Applicants must have New Zealand residency or a valid New Zealand work visa.
• Successful candidates will need to pass pre-employment checks.
• The employer notes that recruitment enquiries can be directed to its recruitment team by email.