Who Are Absolute Taste and What Do We Do?
We are an innovative culinary and customer service provider, dedicated to delivering inspirational food and experiences that redefine customer satisfaction. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for pushing boundaries, we continue to grow from strength to strength.
As a small, dynamic team of event professionals, we specialize in creating exciting, well-managed, and sustainable events, while fostering strong working relationships. We're looking for individuals who share our fun, resilient, and hardworking values to join our supportive, high-performing team.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a highly regarded organisation dedicated to success and a positive, empowering culture.
About the Role
Absolute Taste is seeking an experienced, commercially astute and highly organised Head of New Business Mobilisation to lead the successful onboarding, mobilisation and operational integration of new clients across the Group’s hospitality and food production businesses.
This role will act as the central conduit between new clients and the various operational functions within Absolute Taste, Cucina and The Menu Partners, ensuring that each client receives a tailored solution aligned to their operational, culinary, commercial and strategic requirements.
The successful candidate will be responsible for establishing client requirements, building mobilisation strategies, coordinating multi-functional project teams and ensuring seamless delivery across a broad range of hospitality sectors including hotels, restaurants, visitor attractions, stadia, premium events, food manufacturing and high street brands.
This is a highly collaborative leadership role requiring strong stakeholder management, operational understanding and project delivery expertise.
Location: Bicester
Flexibility required including evenings, weekends and extensive travel depending on client and mobilisation requirements.
Your key responsibilities as Head of New Business Mobilisation will be :
New Client Mobilisation & Integration
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Lead the mobilisation and onboarding process for all new business wins across Absolute Taste, Cucina and The Menu Partners.
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Act as the primary operational lead during the transition from business development to operational delivery.
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Establish and document each client’s operational, culinary, commercial and logistical requirements.
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Build tailored mobilisation plans aligned to the specific needs of each client and sector.
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Coordinate seamless integration between client operations and internal Group functions.
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Ensure all mobilisations are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed operational standards.
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Support site openings, operational launches and service transitions.
Client Relationship Management
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Build strong working relationships with new and existing clients across all hospitality sectors.
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Lead discovery meetings, operational workshops and mobilisation planning sessions with clients.
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Understand client objectives, challenges, brand positioning and long-term strategic goals.
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Ensure clients receive clear communication and visibility throughout the mobilisation process.
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Provide operational confidence and leadership during periods of transition and change.
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Support ongoing client retention through strong operational delivery and relationship management.
Cross-Functional Leadership
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Coordinate and manage multiple mobilisation project teams simultaneously.
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Identify which functions across Absolute Taste, Cucina and The Menu Partners are best placed to support each client opportunity.
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Bring together specialist teams across:
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Culinary & NPD
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Operations
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Food Manufacturing
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Procurement & Supply Chain
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Logistics
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Technical & Compliance
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HR & People Operations
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Finance
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Commercial
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Technology & Systems
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Training & Development
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Ensure accountability, communication and alignment across all workstreams.
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Facilitate regular mobilisation meetings, project reviews and operational updates.
Operational Planning & Delivery
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Develop detailed mobilisation plans, timelines, critical paths and operational readiness programmes.
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Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.
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Ensure clear ownership and delivery of all mobilisation workstreams.
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Support the implementation of operational systems, reporting structures and governance processes.
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Coordinate supplier onboarding, procurement requirements and operational infrastructure planning.
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Ensure consistency of standards across all sectors and business units.
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Support launch readiness reviews and post-launch operational evaluations.
Hospitality Sector Support
Lead mobilisation projects across multiple hospitality sectors including:
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Hotels
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Restaurants
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Visitor attractions
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Stadia and sporting venues
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Premium events and hospitality
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Workplace dining
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Travel catering
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Food manufacturing
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Retail and grab-and-go operations
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High street hospitality brands
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Ensure mobilisation approaches are tailored to the operational complexities and customer expectations of each sector.
Strategic & Commercial Support
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Support the Commercial and Business Development teams during tender processes and client presentations.
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Assist in developing mobilisation strategies during bid and proposal stages.
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Ensure operational solutions are commercially viable and scalable.
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Identify opportunities for operational efficiencies and cross-business collaboration.
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Contribute to strategic growth initiatives across the Group.
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Support the development of long-term operational partnerships with clients.
Project Management & Governance
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Build and manage multiple concurrent mobilisation projects.
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Establish clear project governance structures and reporting mechanisms.
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Track progress against timelines, budgets and deliverables.
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Produce mobilisation reports, action trackers and executive updates.
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Ensure lessons learned and continuous improvement processes are embedded into future mobilisations.
What We’re Looking For
Essential
Proven experience within hospitality operations, mobilisation, account management or project leadership roles.
Strong understanding of multi-site hospitality operations.
Experience working across sectors including hotels, restaurants, events, visitor attractions or food production.
Excellent stakeholder and client relationship management skills.
Strong project management and organisational capabilities.
Ability to coordinate multiple workstreams and project teams simultaneously.
Commercial awareness and operational understanding.
Strong communication and presentation skills.
Ability to work cross-functionally and influence at all levels.
Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally.
Desirable
Experience within food manufacturing, central production or supply chain operations.
Experience leading new business mobilisations or operational transitions.
Knowledge of hospitality systems, operational reporting and mobilisation governance.
Experience within premium hospitality or major events.
Understanding of technical compliance, food safety and operational standards.
Why Join Absolute Taste?
Working with us means joning a fast‑growing, innovative company that is redefining culinary and event experiences. You’ll be part of a supportive, resilient team that values creativity, development, and having fun at work.
We offer:
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25 days holiday + Bank Holidays
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Company Pension Scheme
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Life assurance
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Thorough training and ongoing development
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A positive, empowering culture where your growth matters
We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.
