We are seeking an experienced and results-driven Senior Food Service Operations Manager to oversee large-scale, high-volume food service operations. This leadership position is responsible for operational excellence, financial performance, employee development, regulatory compliance, and client satisfaction across one or multiple locations.
The ideal candidate is a strategic, hands-on leader with proven experience managing complex food service environments, developing high-performing teams, and driving continuous operational improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Operations & Service Excellence
- Oversee daily food service operations across one or multiple locations, ensuring consistent quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
- Establish and maintain operational standards related to food quality, service delivery, sanitation, safety, and regulatory compliance.
- Develop and implement strategies to improve operational efficiency, productivity, and overall service performance.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions to meet operational goals.
- Ensure consistent execution of organizational policies, procedures, and service standards.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop management teams and frontline employees.
- Oversee staffing, hiring, performance evaluations, employee development, and workforce planning.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, employee engagement, and continuous improvement.
- Establish performance expectations and provide coaching to support professional growth.
- Collaborate with cross-functional departments to align operational priorities with business objectives.
Financial & Business Management
- Manage operating budgets, financial forecasts, labor expenses, and overall financial performance.
- Analyze profit and loss (P&L) statements to identify cost-saving and operational improvement opportunities.
- Monitor food costs, labor productivity, inventory, and resource utilization.
- Develop strategies to achieve financial targets while maintaining service quality.
- Support long-term business planning and operational growth initiatives.
Client & Stakeholder Relations
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, senior leadership, and key business stakeholders.
- Serve as a primary operational contact, addressing client needs and resolving service concerns.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to identify opportunities for service enhancements and business growth.
- Lead operational reviews, communicate performance results, and implement improvement plans.
- Ensure client expectations and contractual service standards are consistently achieved.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Minimum 5 years of management experience, preferably within large-scale food service operations.
- 4–5 years of related food service industry experience.
- Demonstrated success leading high-volume or multi-unit food service operations.
- Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and P&L oversight.
- Experience supervising managers and large operational teams.
- Knowledge of food safety regulations, sanitation requirements, and operational compliance.
- Proven ability to build strong client relationships and influence senior stakeholders.
- Excellent leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, service-driven environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing multiple food service locations or large, complex operations.
- Background in contract food service management, corporate dining, healthcare dining, higher education, or institutional food service.
- Demonstrated success improving profitability, employee retention, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
- Experience implementing operational improvement initiatives across multiple departments or locations.
- Strong understanding of workforce planning, labor management, and service quality metrics.