Mobilisation Support Lead - Southampton

As a Mobilisation Support Lead, you'll work closely with experienced project managers and operational leaders to support the end to end opening of multiple caf sites. Depending on your background, you may bring:

• A developing skillset and strong desire to learn quickly in a mobilisation environment, or
• Prior experience in multi site operations, openings, or retail / hospitality management, adding immediate operational value
No two weeks will look the same - you'll be travelling nationwide, working on live openings, supporting site teams, and helping ensure each caf is set up for long term success. The role forms part of Compass Group's wider growth and mobilisation activity. Following the mobilisation phase, successful candidates may be well placed to move into an InStore Retail Management role or other operational opportunities, subject to business needs and location availability. What you'll be doingMobilisation & Site Support
• Support the end to end mobilisation of new Sainsbury's Caf openings across the UK
• Work as part of a broader mobilisation project team, supporting multiple openings simultaneously
• Coordinate activity, actions, and timelines to ensure sites are ready to open
• Support site teams through the opening period and into operational handover
• Be present on site during key mobilisation and launch phases
Stakeholder & Team Exposure
• Work alongside Compass Group teams including Operations, HR, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Health & Safety
• Liaise with suppliers, contractors, and site teams to resolve issues and maintain momentum
• Communicate confidently with stakeholders at varying levels across the business
Quality, Safety & Standards
• Support the embedding of food safety, health & safety, and brand standards from day one
• Help identify risks early and escalate issues appropriately
• Ensure mobilisation activity aligns with One Retail standards
Learning, Delivery & Improvement
• Capture learnings from each opening to support future mobilisations
• Share insights and best practice with operational teams
• Continue developing your understanding of large scale retail and hospitality operations
  
  This role is well suited to graduates and early career professionals seeking a full time summer opportunity that delivers genuinely valuable experience, while also appealing to established managers or operators looking for a defined, high impact mobilisation role within a major organisation., May be a graduate, student finishing studies, or early career professional, or an experienced manager seeking a time bound mobilisation opportunity
• Is organised, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple workstreams
• Enjoys fast paced, hands on environments
• Communicates clearly and works effectively with different teams
• Is flexible, adaptable, and happy to travel nationwide
• Wants exposure to a major employer with clear operational standards and future opportunities
Key requirements
• Full UK driving licence
• Willingness to travel nationwide (including overnight stays)
• Experience or strong interest in hospitality, retail, food, operations, or project based work
• A practical, professional, and accountable approach
  
  This is an exciting opportunity to join Compass Group, the UK's leading food and support services company, supporting the nationwide rollout of brand new Sainsbury's Caf s.
InStore, part of Compass Group, partners with major UK retailers to deliver high quality food and caf experiences at scale. As part of a defined 6 month summer mobilisation programme, you'll play a hands on role in launching new caf sites across the UK - gaining exposure to live operations, structured project delivery, and senior stakeholders.


• 40,000 salary plus company car
• A defined 6 month mobilisation programme
• An opportunity that works equally well as:
+ A high value early career experience, or + A focused mobilisation assignment for experienced operators
• Exposure to Compass Group, a FTSE listed global organisation
• Hands on involvement in high profile Sainsbury's Caf launches
• Potential progression into InStore Retail Management or wider Compass roles, subject to business needs
• Experience that delivers clear, long term career value
If you're looking for a summer role that goes far beyond a typical temporary position offering real responsibility, national exposure, and the backing of a major organisation this is an opportunity worth exploring.