Director of Operations

The Skinny Pancake; Hartford (VT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Stock options

Paid PTO

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

Shift meals

401(k) with match

EAP

HSA

CSA match

Job summary

The Skinny Pancake is seeking a Director of Operations to lead restaurant performance across Vermont, New York, and Massachusetts. You will coach General Managers, translate company strategy into restaurant execution, and partner with the CEO to drive profitability and growth.

This strategic, hands-on role requires deep restaurant operations experience, strong leadership, and willingness to travel regularly among locations to ensure consistency and excellence in service.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive restaurant leadership experience.
• Successful General Manager and multi-unit leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of restaurant P&Ls and unit economics.
• Track record of developing strong restaurant leaders.
• Willingness to travel regularly among locations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee restaurant performance including sales, labor, food cost, profitability, and guest experience.
• Coach General Managers and field leaders to raise performance.
• Build accountability and operating discipline across locations.
• Review P&Ls and operating data, identify opportunities and drive corrective action.
• Improve consistency in service, food quality, staffing, safety and standards.
• Strengthen systems, SOPs and management practices as the company grows.
• Translate company strategy into clear restaurant-level execution.
• Provide the CEO with reliable visibility into restaurant performance.

Skills

Leadership

P&L understanding

Operations management

Multi-unit leadership

Coaching

Travel willingness

Job description

Director of Operations

The Skinny Pancake

Reports to: CEO

The Skinny Pancake is a mission-driven, multi-unit restaurant company operating across Vermont, New York and Massachusetts. We are looking for an experienced Director of Operations to lead restaurant performance, develop strong leaders and help us build a more consistent, profitable and scalable operation.

This is a strategic and hands-on role. You will partner closely with the CEO while spending significant time in our restaurants—coaching leaders, solving problems and making sure company priorities translate into strong execution.

This is not a desk job. We are looking for someone who understands what is happening in the restaurants and knows how to turn that insight into better performance.

What You’ll Own

• Overall performance of our restaurants, including sales, labor, food cost, profitability and guest experience
• Coaching and developing General Managers and field leaders
• Building accountability and stronger operating discipline across locations
• Reviewing P&Ls and operating data, identifying opportunities and driving corrective action
• Improving consistency in service, food quality, staffing, safety and operational standards
• Strengthening systems, SOPs and management practices as the company grows
• Translating company strategy into clear restaurant-level execution
• Providing the CEO with reliable visibility into restaurant performance

What Success Looks Like

You’ll know you’re succeeding when:

• Restaurants are consistently meeting or improving financial and operating goals
• General Managers understand their businesses and take ownership of results
• Guest experience and operational consistency improve
• Leadership retention and bench strength get stronger
• Underperforming restaurants have clear plans and measurable progress
• Company initiatives move from discussion to execution

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of progressive restaurant leadership experience
• Successful General Manager and multi-unit leadership experience
• Strong understanding of restaurant P&Ls and unit economics
• Demonstrated success improving sales, labor, food cost and profitability
• A track record of developing strong restaurant leaders
• Strong judgment, communication and problem-solving skills
• Comfort operating in an entrepreneurial, fast-moving environment
• Willingness to travel regularly among restaurant locations

About Us:

At The Skinny Pancake, we are on a mission to change the world by building a safer, healthier, and more delicious food shed while providing fun and affordable everyday enjoyment. We take pride in using fresh, local, high-quality ingredients, cooking from scratch, and creating welcoming community gathering places.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive salary range: $110,000-$140,000 +Bonus based on experience
• Participation in stock options program
• 80 hours of accrued Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Work-life balance - lead marketing initiatives while enjoying flexibility
• Medical insurance (currently Blue Cross Blue Shield) with two plan options and a company contribution
• Options for dental and vision insurance
• Free shift meals and team member dining discount
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Savings Account (HSA) access
• 401(K) plan with company match up to 4%
• Community share of agriculture (CSA) match program
• The chance to shape the future of an innovative brand
• Join a leadership team that values collaboration, creativity, and making a difference while expanding our presence across Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York.

You should be equally comfortable reviewing a P&L, coaching a GM and walking a restaurant during service.

If you enjoy building strong teams, improving businesses and creating accountability without unnecessary bureaucracy, we’d like to meet you.

Love Local. The Skinny Pancake is on a mission to change the world by building a safer, healthier, and more delicious food shed while creating everyday enjoyment that is both fun and affordable. Please join us.