About the job

Operations Manager, Philippines

We are the food travel experts. So what does that mean? It means that we are experts in creating and running food outlets in locations where people are on the move. Whether it is jetting off somewhere more exotic, getting on a train or stopping off at a motorway service area, we will make sure the food and drink on offer is the ideal selection to meet the needs of the many different types of traveller.

Globally, we now operate in 36 countries worldwide at around 600+ sites, and we have an extensive portfolio of more than 500 international, national, local and speciality brands. These include our own brands, such as Upper Crust, Ritazza and Camden food co. as well as brands we franchise, including M&S, Starbucks, and Burger King. We’ve also work with a number of famous chefs, including Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey, to create bespoke brands.

SSP Mactan Cebu was established in February 2017 in partnership with GMCAC, the operator of the Mactan Cebu Corporation. On 1st July we opened our first 9 stores in the new Mactan Cebu Airport with the mixed of home brands and Franchise brands. We serve all types of customers from holiday makers and business travelers to airport personal and GMCAC and MCIAA personnel. We are the first international food and beverage operator with exclusive rights to operate within the International and Domestic Airport with a total of 30 Stores.

We strongly believe that by creating a culture where our values are front and centre and lived and breathed, we will achieve our vision of being the leading food and beverage operator in travel locations worldwide.

Our values, listed below, are integral to our business and underpin everything we do. They were developed in consultation with our teams across the world and reflect what it means to be part of the SSP team.

• We are one team … working together and sharing our best ideas to fulfil our global potential.
• We are results focused… delivering great food and service for our customers and outstanding results for our clients, shareholders, and colleagues
• We all make a difference… respecting each other, acting responsibly and being accountable for the contributions that we make.
• We are bold …seizing opportunities, innovating, and quickly adapting every day.

Main purpose of job

Reporting into the Director for Corporate Services, the incumbent is responsible for formulating strategy and growth target for driving and developing new profitable business and retaining existing business in the Philippines region, whilst managing new contract wins from implementation through to handover to local site management team, ensuring key stakeholders, both internal and external are engaged and informed of status and progress.

This role will require building effective and relative networks to ensure SSP is positioned as a key partner for all future F&B tenders. In conjunction with the Director for Corporate Services to prepare a client strategy which develops SSPs key points of difference in the Marketplace with the aim of achieving preferred partner status.

Main Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall management of new market development activities in selected market, provide market feedback to the company leadership on competitive offerings
• Assist SSP Philippines with the 3-year business development plan and net growth target and develop a plan on new business acquisition and existing business retention
• Deliver best in class account management, through building effective relationships and overseeing a minimum quarterly client meeting structure, ensuring Operation team lead on operational areas/issues
• Manage client stakeholder strategy including planning, organising meetings/entertainment with key client contacts in target organisations, aligned to SSP contacts
• Manage pipeline of existing business and ensure that reviews are in place to improve retention not less than 2 years from expiry of contracts
• Support the Leadership team in any renegotiations of existing business (for example utility rates)
• Assistant leadership team to develop the internal brand portfolio to reflect the changing consumer requirements in travel, identify and source new brand partnerships to complement existing offer
• Own the delivery of client tenders for all new business and formal retention proposals in the selected market(s), work with the relevant departments to develop the business case ensuring buy-in and support from all key stakeholders, including managing the design team on the production of tenders and submission package
• Work with finance on the development of financial models with internal stakeholders to ensure profitability and feasibility of new business proposals
• Work in partnership with Property to ensure that project budgets are clear and highlight any overspend risks for additional IC approval
• Work with legal team on contracts and prepare signoff, ensure no operation without contract/side letter clarity
• Responsible for supplying input to budget, financial forecasts as well as long-term plan for the business
• Ensure all new contract wins achieve optimum sales by ensuring all internal departments are delivering to the agreed project implementation plan and a smooth handover to operations is achieved
• Communicate with local team closely, share marketing intelligence and ensure the compliance to regional development objectives and guidelines
• Take on other BD work as required

Requirements

Essential:

• Degree holder or above in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance or equivalent disciplines
• 5 – 10 years of solid experience in Operations or Business Development in Food & Beverage or travel related businesses, candidates with strong leasing experience with landlords will also be considered
• Excellent interpersonal & communication skills, and strong in client relationship management and project management
• Strong numeric sense and business acumen

Desirable:

• Candidates with good connection and business network with F&B would be highly preferred
• Willing to travel frequently in the region

Please refer to job description.