Vice President of Operations
Are you a strategic operations leader who thrives on building and motivating high-performing teams? Do you have a passion for food service, strong financial expertise, and excel in a collaborative environment? We’re seeking an accomplished executive to join our leadership team as Vice President of Operations. This role will oversee the strategic and day-to-day operations of a K–12 food service program, ensuring efficiency, profitability, growth, and an outstanding customer experience. The Vice President of Operations will direct budgets, drive process improvements, and lead teams across areas such as staffing, menu planning, inventory management, and marketing. This executive-level position will serve on the Board of Directors and requires someone aligned with our mission, vision, and values.
Key Responsibilities:
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Strategic Planning and Execution: Design and implement both long-term and annual operational plans that align with the organization’s goals and objectives. Monitor and evaluate execution to ensure milestones are achieved.
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Leadership: Demonstrate critical thinking and effective people management with an emphasis on team development and conflict resolution. Leverage strong communication, problem-solving, and data analysis skills to guide decisions. Lead high-performing teams, allocate resources effectively, and balance fast-paced demands with long-term improvement initiatives.
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Innovation and Growth: Identify opportunities for growth, drive innovation in systems and processes, and serve as a strong ambassador with stakeholders.
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Board Participation: Actively contribute in board meetings, bringing operational insights to strategic discussions.
Essential Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree in business administration, hospitality, or a related field.
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At least 10 years of progressive senior-level operations leadership experience in the multi-unit food service industry; preference for candidates with K–12 sector experience.
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Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to evaluate customer needs and financial data, including support for RFPs and proposals.
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Communication: Proven ability to communicate vision, manage change, collaborate across functions, and present effectively at an executive level.
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P&L Management: Demonstrated success managing profit and loss across multiple sites, with the ability to identify key trends and insights that impact both the organization and its customers.
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Leadership: Skilled in developing, mentoring, and influencing operations teams at all levels, from senior managers to frontline staff.
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Multi-unit Oversight: Experienced in managing decentralized operations while ensuring consistent brand standards across locations. Strong knowledge of industry regulations, including food safety, sanitation, and labor compliance.
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Supply Chain: Deep understanding of food service supply chain management, including procurement, vendor relations, logistics, and inventory.
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Financial Acumen: Expertise in data-driven decision-making to monitor performance and identify improvement opportunities.
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Technology: Proficient in industry technologies, tools, and best practices. Strong skills with Microsoft Office and CRM databases.
