Regional Vice President, Operations

Role Overview

Sodexo is excited to announce a new leadership opportunity within The Good Eating Company – a premium corporate dining and catering service that provides chef-driven, sustainable, and locally sourced food to workplaces.  We’re hiring a Regional Vice President, Operations to drive excellence, inspire performance, and elevate the culinary workplace experience for our clients in the Western Region of the US.  This position reports directly to the Senior Vice President.   

This is a virtual role with frequent travel, most commonly within CA, OR, WA, and AZ.   The ideal candidate will reside in the Bay area of California.    

Our ideal leader combines a high-level EQ with a client-centric approach to drive exceptional relationships and negotiations. You will provide dedicated leadership and development for your team, backed by a strong background in the high-end culinary sector

What You'll Do

Client Partnership & Retention 

Strengthen and expand executive level relationships by delivering operational excellence, workplace dining innovation, and value driven solutions aligned with evolving corporate needs. 

Team Development & Leadership Excellence 

Build and develop high performing teams through mentorship, talent development, and a culture grounded in empowerment, ownership, and high performance. 

How You Will Lead 

You’ll lead by inspiring action—empowering teams to innovate, take ownership, and deliver measurable results. You’ll drive accountability by setting clear expectations, celebrating performance, and coaching through challenges to build resilient, engaged regional teams. 

You’ll partner across cross-functional support teams (culinary, HR, supply management, finance, marketing, and technology) to deploy resources strategically and use data-driven insights to optimize effectiveness, efficiency, and client impact. 

Your Strategic Impact 

As a trusted advisor to corporate clients, you will ensure full compliance with company policies, safety standards, and local regulations while advancing our mission of elevating the workplace experience. Your leadership will directly contribute to: 

·         Driving operational productivity through streamlined processes, labor optimization, and strategic resource allocation. 

·         Enhancing brand reputation by delivering consistent hospitality excellence, culinary innovation, and service reliability. 

·         Expanding revenue potential through new business, client expansions, and workplace dining program enhancements. 

·         Strengthening financial performance by optimizing cost structures, improving forecasting accuracy, and delivering on revenue and margin commitments. 

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership 

·         Develop and execute a strategic operating plan with aligned short and long term goals that support corporate dining priorities, client objectives, and organizational mission. 

·         Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and service excellence. 

·         Identify opportunities to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and reduce cost without compromising quality or experience. 

Financial & Operational Performance 

·         Review and analyze P&L statements, budget variance reports, KPIs, and operational data to ensure achievement of financial goals. 

·         Provide regular performance updates to clients and senior leadership. 

·         Assess financial risks and opportunities, implementing action plans to optimize results. 

·         Leverage data and workplace analytics to inform decision-making and drive operational improvements. 

Client Relationship Management 

·         Maintain strong, professional business relationships with C-suite and senior stakeholders. 

·         Ensure delivery of a strategic business plan that supports client culture, workplace engagement, sustainability goals, and organizational priorities. 

·         Partner closely with Sales to identify new opportunities for service expansion and business growth. 

·         Negotiate contracts, renewals, and initiatives related to operational scope. 

People Leadership 

·         Build, develop, and lead high-performing operational teams across the region. 

·         Create a collaborative, supportive environment that empowers managers and frontline teams. 

·         Provide ongoing coaching and mentorship to elevate capabilities, bench strength, and leadership potential. 

What We Offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

What You Bring

·         Bachelor’s degree in business, hospitality management, or related field (Master’s preferred). 

·         10+ years of progressive leadership experience in multi-site operations within corporate dining, hospitality or workplace services.  High-end culinary background preferred.  

·         Proven success building and sustaining C-suite client relationships with a focus on strategic partnership and business growth. 

·         Demonstrated ability to lead change management, drive innovation, and cultivate a culture of excellence and accountability. 

·         Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, optimizing resources, and delivering financial performance in hospitality or service operations. 

·         Expertise in leveraging data, analytics, and KPIs to inform decision-making and drive operational improvements. 

·         Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels. 

Who We Are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor's degree or equivalent experienceMinimum Management Experience - 10 yearsMinimum Functional Experience - 10 years of multi-unit, support, or strategic leadership experience