Director of Operations – Multi-Unit Laundromat

Laundry Growth Partners; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursements

Company vehicle

Paid time off

Job summary

WashSmart Laundry and Drop and Dash in Chicago is seeking a Regional Director of Operations to oversee 22 laundromats, drive efficiency, and align store performance with business goals.

The role requires hands-on leadership, field visits, coaching staff, overseeing facilities and maintenance, and working with contractors to ensure safety, uptime, and profitability. You will translate ownership objectives into measurable results while building scalable processes.

Qualifications

• Experience managing multi-unit operations across multiple locations.
• Strong leadership, organizational and communication skills.
• Knowledge of labor laws and compliance requirements.
• Experience coordinating with contractors and project management.
• Ability to analyze operating reports and financial results.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations across 22 laundromat locations, ensuring efficiency and profitability.
• Develop and enforce standardized procedures, performance standards, and service quality.
• Visit stores to assess performance, facility conditions, staffing, and compliance.
• Manage maintenance programs, safety, and facility compliance with regulations.
• Coordinate with maintenance staff, contractors, and outside service providers.
• Monitor budgets, inventory controls, and loss prevention initiatives.
• Drive customer satisfaction and maintain consistent service standards.
• Lead, coach, and evaluate operational leaders and frontline teams.
• Ensure scalable processes and compliance with wage and hour laws.

Skills

Multi-unit operations

Leadership

Project management

Facility maintenance

Labor law knowledge

Contractor coordination

budgeting / P&L

Travel between sites

Communication

Bilingual: English & Spanish

Tools

Excel

Reporting tools

Business management software

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, results-driven Regional Director of Operations to oversee the daily operations and overall performance of WashSmart Laundry and Drop and Dash throughout the Chicago market.

This individual will be responsible for driving operational efficiency, providing leadership and oversight to the teams responsible for company facilities and equipment maintenance, working with construction contractors, project management, and managing the team supporting retail operations across 22 store locations to ensure operational excellence and alignment with overall business objectives.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on, highly organized leader with strong multi‑unit management experience who understands how to operate a geographically dispersed business, mechanically inclined, and comfortable with labor laws. This person must be comfortable spending significant time in the field visiting locations, coaching employees, inspecting facilities, resolving operational and mechanical issues, and holding managers accountable for performance.

The Regional Director of Operations will serve as the primary link between ownership and individual store operations, translating company objectives into measurable results.

Key Responsibilities

1. Multi-Location Operations Management

• Oversee day-to-day operations across all 22 laundromat locations, ensuring operational efficiency, consistency, and profitability.
• Develop, implement, and enforce standardized operating procedures, performance expectations, and service standards across all locations.
• Conduct regular scheduled and unannounced store visits to evaluate operational performance, facility conditions, employee productivity, and compliance with company standards.
• Ensure all locations are clean, safe, properly staffed, well‑maintained, and operating efficiently.
• Monitor store opening and closing procedures, employee attendance, staffing coverage, and overall operational compliance.
• Partner with retail management to identify operational inefficiencies, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement.
• Monitor store performance, operating expenses, inventory controls, and profitability to identify opportunities for improvement and cost reduction.
• Ensure equipment, facilities, and customer areas are maintained to company standards and that maintenance issues are addressed promptly.
• Oversee inventory management, product availability, merchandising execution, and loss prevention initiatives.
• Drive customer satisfaction by maintaining consistent service standards and identifying opportunities to enhance the customer experience.

2. Facility & Equipment Maintenance

• Oversee the maintenance, condition, safety, and functionality of company facilities, buildings, and equipment.
• Develop and manage preventive maintenance programs to reduce equipment downtime, extend asset life, and minimize costly repairs.
• Ensure timely resolution of facility maintenance issues and equipment failures.
• Coordinate with internal maintenance personnel, contractors, and outside service providers.
• Evaluate repair‑versus‑replacement decisions and recommend capital improvements and equipment investments.
• Ensure facilities and equipment comply with applicable safety regulations, operational standards, and company policies.
• Monitor maintenance budgets, service agreements, equipment performance, and repair costs.
• Maintain a working knowledge of building systems, mechanical equipment, and general facility infrastructure to effectively oversee maintenance operations.

3. Team Leadership & Accountability

• Recruit, develop, coach, and evaluate operational leaders and team members.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear expectations, responsibilities, and measurable performance goals.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration between maintenance, logistics, retail, and administrative teams.
• Address operational challenges proactively and ensure timely follow‑through on corrective actions.
• Build scalable organizational processes that support long‑term company growth.
• Maintain a working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local labor laws and employment regulations, ensuring compliance with wage and hour requirements, employee scheduling, overtime, meal and rest breaks, and workplace policies across all locations.

Qualifications & Experience

Required:

• 5+ years of experience managing multi-unit operations.
• Bilingual, English and Spanish are a must.
• Significant experience with labor laws.
• Working with construction contractors.
• Project management at least 5+ years.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of equipment and facility maintenance.
• Experience overseeing multiple retail, service, hospitality, or other customer‑facing locations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage managers and frontline employees.
• Strong financial management and P&L experience.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to analyze operating reports and financial results.
• Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, reporting tools, and business management software.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to travel regularly between all 22 Chicago‑area locations.

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Potential compensation structure:

• Performance‑based annual bonus tied to company profitability and operational KPIs.
• Mileage reimbursement or company vehicle.
• Paid time off.
• Other applicable benefits.
• WashSmart is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other legally protected characteristics. We also consider applicants with criminal history, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.