Director of Operations

First Watch; Germantown (TN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

First Watch in Germantown, TN is seeking a Director of Operations to drive growth, guest satisfaction and profitability across multiple locations. You will coach General Managers and restaurant leaders to elevate service standards while upholding the You First culture.

Lead strategic planning, budget adherence, and labor optimization; travel within the market is expected to develop teams and ensure consistent operations.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of progressive leadership experience in multi-unit restaurant operations.
• Ability to mentor General Managers and Operations Managers to improve performance.
• Strong focus on guest satisfaction, service quality and profitability.
• Willingness to travel frequently within the assigned market.

Responsibilities

• Leads operational activities for a group of First Watch Restaurants.
• Trains, coaches and develops General Managers and Operations Managers.
• Monitors training and progress of MITs/CAFE’s and hourly staff.
• Ensures development of Operations Managers within company programs.
• Manages manpower planning and recruitment of restaurant level management.
• Maintains a safe and harassment-free workplace across restaurants.
• Aligns area budget and capital investments with business goals.
• Promotes First Watch externally to drive brand presence.

Skills

Leadership experience

People development

Budgeting

Strategic planning

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

The Director of Operations is responsible for supporting the mission, vision and values of First Watch through all that he/she does in their role every day. The DO’s primary purpose is to develop General Managers and restaurant management teams to build and increase sales over the previous year and improve profitability, while ensuring employee and guest satisfaction, without compromising the integrity or You First culture of the concept. The Director of Operations is responsible for the success of all First Watch operations within their span of control (5-8 direct reports and 200-300 employees).

Job Responsibilities

• Leads operational activities for a group of First Watch Restaurants by performing the following in accordance with Company guidelines regarding management development, sales, and profitability, planning and customer and employee relations
• Trains, coaches and develops General Managers and Operations Managers, through timely performance and observation feedback and evaluations
• Follows up on training of MIT's/CAFE’s and hourly employees. Works closely with the Training General Manager to monitor progress
• Ensures development of Operations Managers within compliance of the FW management development programs
• Through effective manpower planning executes the continuous development of the management team and ensures timely and cost effective recruitment of restaurant level management and their training within First Watch
• Ensures the maintenance of a safe and harassment free workplace in all restaurants
• Takes quick and responsible action in solving problems and able to uses reason when dealing with individual or staff performance based issues to include personality conflicts
• Develops for prior approval and then meets or exceeds the area’s budget, including capital investments, General and Administrative expenses
• Promotes First Watch outside the restaurant

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent – concentration in food & beverage, business, marketing or management is preferred
• Five to seven years of progressive leadership experience in multi unit restaurant industry operations
• Proven track record of achieving results and building & maintaining successful teams
• Passion for providing excellent service and quality
• Ability to partner and build relationships while demonstrating leadership and integrity and promoting team success
• Extensive knowledge of the principles, procedures, and best practices in the industry
• Ability to work well under pressure in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel frequently within assigned market