General Manager, Operations - Airline Catering

Pacific International Executive Search; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific International Executive Search is retained to identify a General Manager of Operations for a high-growth airline catering facility in the United States. The role reports to the VP of Operations and drives site-level leadership, transformation, and performance in a complex, high-volume environment.

The successful candidate will shape operations strategy, lead a large workforce, and partner with airline customers to deliver safe, efficient, and exceptional service while delivering

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Airline catering leadership experience required.
• Proven ability to lead large-scale operations in a fast-paced, customer-centric environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for a large airline catering operation, ensuring safe, efficient and profitable services.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives focused on productivity, quality, customer service, and cost performance.
• Lead and execute transformation efforts, establishing scalable processes and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing leadership team while engaging employees and ensuring accountability.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, regulatory, quality and operational standards.
• Partner with airline customers to ensure consistent service execution and strong client relationships.
• Manage key operational metrics including safety, labor, productivity, quality, on-time performance and financial results.
• Collaborate with corporate leadership to support strategic objectives and future growth initiatives.

Skills

Airline catering leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Pacific International has been retained by a leading global catering organization to identify a General Manager of Operations to lead a critical, high-growth airline catering facility in the United States.

Reporting directly to the VP of Operations, the General Manager will have full responsibility for site operations, leading a large workforce in a complex, high-volume environment. This executive will play a pivotal role in driving operational transformation, increasing efficiency, enhancing service delivery, and building the capabilities required to support continued growth.

The Opportunity

This role offers the opportunity to lead a strategically important operation for a market-leading global organization undergoing significant growth. The successful candidate will be empowered to drive meaningful change, influence business performance, and shape the future of a key operation within the broader network.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for a large-scale airline catering operation, ensuring the safe, efficient, and profitable delivery of services.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives focused on productivity, quality, customer service, and cost performance.
• Lead and execute transformation efforts, establishing scalable processes and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing leadership team while fostering employee engagement and accountability across the site.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, regulatory, quality, and operational standards.
• Partner closely with airline customers to ensure consistent service execution and maintain strong client relationships.
• Manage key operational metrics, including safety, labor, productivity, quality, on-time performance, and financial results.
• Collaborate with corporate leadership to support strategic objectives and future growth initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Significant leadership experience within airline catering is required.
• Proven success managing large-scale operations in a fast-paced, customer-centric environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading operational transformation, change management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of labor management, operational KPIs, and financial performance metrics.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Track record of building and developing high-performing teams.

About Pacific International Executive Search:

Pacific International, a globally recognized retained executive search firm, is dedicated to empowering Fortune 500, FTSE 100, and high-growth enterprises in building exceptional C-suite, senior-level, and strategic leadership teams while championing diversity and inclusion. Our adaptability, agility, and forward-thinking ethos distinguish us in the ever-evolving business landscape.

Since 1997, we have been dedicated to building lasting client partnerships based on trust and reliability, and a proven track record of successful C-suite and mid- to senior-level leadership project delivery across many key industries globally.

Diversity Statement:

At Pacific International, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and we proudly champion diversity on behalf of our clients in every Executive Search mandate we undertake. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. In pursuit of these objectives, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities.