Director, Operations - EMEA

Wingstop Restaurants Inc.; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Wingstop is seeking a Director of Operations - EMEA to lead restaurant and enterprise operations across multiple markets. You will drive an operations strategy, build capability, and ensure consistent consumer and employee experiences while scaling new markets.

The role requires 10+ years in restaurant operations, franchise experience, and a proven ability to develop high-performing teams in a fast-growing, international environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of restaurant or multi-unit operations experience, including international exposure.
• Experience working within a franchise system.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate vision into action.

Responsibilities

• Build a culture of Ops Excellence with globally consistent and locally relevant experiences.
• Drive OSAT, speed, accuracy, consistency and QSC audit scores across markets.
• Define regional Ops Strategy and establish processes to drive SSSG and profitability.
• Maintain a People First culture with holistic planning and development.
• Collaborate with Functional Heads to roll out Learning Management System, tech stack and Design Playbook.
• Co-work with Marketing to grow market share and profitability sustainably.
• Lead growth initiatives for the region with BP operations leadership and franchising.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

People development

Franchise operations

Multi-market experience

Job description

WHO WE ARE

We're not in the wing business. We're in the flavor business. It's been our mission to Serve the World Flavor since we first opened in 1994, and we're just getting started. 1997 saw the opening of our first brand partner operated Wingstop location, and by 2002 we had served the world one billion wings. It's flavor that defines us and has made Wingstop one of the fastest growing brands in the restaurant industry. Above all else - our success is largely due to our people and our core values, or what we call The Wingstop Way of being entrepreneurial, service-minded, fun, and authentic. We believe having a strong people foundation centered on these collective values creates a crave-worthy culture and talented team, as well as ensures our brand is poised for accelerated growth. We all win together.

WHAT WE'LL NEED

The Director, Operations - EMEA will be instrumental in turbo charging Wingstop's next phase of growth on our journey to becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand. Accountable for Operations & People leadership in support of our partners in both established markets and New Market Entry; a key decision maker and strategic thought partner to the Senior Director, Ops & Development and Brand Partner teams. The Director, Operations - EMEA has the horsepower to make things happen with a proactive hands-on approach to their work. Throughout defining and executing their Ops Strategy, the Director, Operations - EMEA is laser focused on building capability within the markets. Culturally and commercially astute, the OD thrives in a fast paced, high growth environment. Passionate about developing those around them, the Director, Operations - EMEA takes a people first approach to their work. Key areas of focus for this role will include building best-in-class operational excellence, Restaurant & Enterprise economics, New Market Entry, BOH optimization, Drive Thru, People Planning, L&D, training, successful restaurant growth in existing markets, crisis management, equipment innovation & value engineering.

• Build a culture of Ops Excellence, ensuring accountability to deliver globally consistent and locally relevant Consumer & Employee experiences.
• Leverage relationship capital with BPs to build capability in their organization and to support them with building-out their infrastructure for scale.
• Drive exceptional Ops metrics including OSAT, Speed, Accuracy, Consistency and QSC audit scores.
• Define the regional Ops Strategy and build the necessary processes, systems and routines to drive SSSG and bottom-line conversion.
• Sustain and sponsor a "People First" Culture across the region, diving into holistic people planning to include capability mapping, bench planning and engagement.
• Work in collaboration with Functional Heads to roll out company growth initiatives such as: Learning Management System, Tech stack and Global Design Playbook.
• Work closely with Marketing Director to develop and implement plans to grow market share and increase revenues and profitability in a sustainable manner.
• Build, Coach and Inspire the regional operations team. Provide enriching development opportunities for them, allowing the business to exceed its goals and the individuals to grow.
• Lead growth strategy initiatives for the region, working closely with Central functional leaders on BOH optimization, tech enabled kitchen & defining Wingstop's Drive Thru proposition
• Develop, lead, and provide expertise to the full network of restaurants - working with BP's operations leadership, in all areas of operations, compliance, brand management, training, sourcing and franchising.
• Work with other parts of the business / stakeholders to deliver concept design, new product development, and culinary and business insights.
• Determine operational simplicity opportunities, removing blocks and barriers from the organization.
• Provide governance and regional oversight to ensure operational standards and tools are effectively implemented, with feedback and insights informing their ongoing evolution. Set appropriate metrics, measure and communicate results.
• Deep dive into all Ops, People & Training metrics to identify business opportunities. Conduct gap analysis and lead remedial action to drive performance. Lead on the job coaching and training interventions where necessary.
• Manage a wide range of regional issues with our Brand Partners identifying the root causes and finding creative solutions. Work closely with BPs to build solutions in partnership.
• Ensure hugely impactful and successful New Market Openings within the region and across international business.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• 10+ years of experience in restaurant or multi-unit operations, with significant international exposure
• Experience working within a franchise system
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high performing teams
• Strong strategic thinking with the