Regional Director of Operations

Compass Group Canada; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food service company is seeking a Regional Director of Operations in Chicago. This role involves strategic leadership, operational management, and client relationship oversight, requiring extensive travel and a strong background in food service management. Ideal candidates will excel in financial management and team development, ensuring high standards of resident satisfaction across the region.

Benefits

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Flexible Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Health and Wellness Programs

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Strong background in food production and service management.
• Experience in multi-unit management in contract food services.
• Ability to travel extensively for training and support.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operation, growth, and profitability of the region.
• Provide ongoing training to culinary and hospitality teams.
• Manage client relationships and ensure satisfaction.

Skills

Financial Management

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, culinary, health care or related field

Tools

Compass Group systems (OMS, MUS, efinance, myorders)

Excel

Online communication tools

Job description

The Strategic Dining difference is in the support we deliver, not only focusing on successful systems, techniques, and tools, but improving the community’s dining experiences, community cost savings and increased resident satisfaction. We accomplish this by being a true partner to our clients and communities and focus our efforts on meeting those goals, that are unique to each location.

Job Summary:

As the Regional Director of Operations, you will be responsible for the overall operation, growth, and profitability of the region. You will provide the vision and strategic leadership to drive resident and client satisfaction through the delivery of best-in-class dining and hospitality experiences. In this hands-on leadership role, you must have the ability to travel to regional communities to provide ongoing training and support to culinary, hospitality and service leadership teams. This role requires a strong background in food production and service management, exceptional financial management skills, building and leading diverse teams, and a passion for delivering outstanding resident experiences.

• 75% travel
• Manage accounts in and around Chicago, IL
• Track record of ensuring high-quality services, financial success, and client satisfaction within the region while providing strong leadership.
• Experience in multi-unit management incontract food services, required
• While not mandatory, culinary experience is a big plus, as it contributes to our commitment to excellence.
• Is proficient in Compass Group systems like OMS, MUS, efinance, and myorders, ensuring seamless operations, not required but preferred
• Excels in written and verbal communication with internal teams and external partners.
• Demonstrates exceptional leadership, training skills, and the ability to influence effectively.
• Is adept at cultivating strong relationships, influencing and inspiring teams.
• Embodies a hands-on leadership style, believing that building robust relationships leads to success.

Account Management & Client Relations:

• Balance company/community goals and regulatory agency requirements with individual client objectives to create a customized program that meets resident needs.
• Schedule regular on-site, hands-on visits to coach, train, and follow-up on assigned goals.
• Send a site-visit summary to the Executive Director, Chef, Dining Service Director, and applicable corporate team members.
• Conduct quarterly business reviews with client to make certain community objectives are being met, communicate industry trends, and ensure client has opportunity to share critical feedback.
• Actively participate in food service-related committees within assigned communities, or otherwise be involved in and visible at special events within each assigned location, to demonstrate the company’s team approach and commitment to the community.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced multi-site environment.
• Flexibility to travel between communities within your region. Develop priority-focused consultation agendas in advance of visits. Ensure that community staff are given ample opportunity to schedule themselves to attend.
• Drive guest satisfaction by maintaining product and service quality standards; Periodic property inspections, ensuring completion of company training programs and initiating corrective action as necessary.
• Review resident surveys for service concerns and work with Executive Directors and the Director of Dining Services to address and resolve going forward.
• Understand and leverage company support teams and systems to meet region Key Performance Indicators.
• Collaborate with department heads, executive chefs, sous chefs, dining room managers, and other team members to create innovative menus and dining concepts that meet and exceed guest expectations.

Business and Financial Acumen:

• Ensure responsible financial management of assigned communities. In partnership with leadership team, develop annual budgets to accurately forecast financial performance, monitor financial reports to ensure budgetary compliance, and implement policies to deliver financial results in accordance with those budgets.
• Timely completion of all daily, weekly, or monthly reports as outlined by the SDS Director of Operations.
• Conduct monthly budget reviews with each location on or about the 15th of each month to ensure the dining expenses are on track or need an action plan to meet monthly budget targets.
• Participate in the sales process by assisting with new opening services for new business accounts.
• Collaborate with marketing team to develop and implement promotional initiatives, special events, and marketing campaigns to drive revenue and enhance resident experiences.
• Coach and support operations team to effectively manage wages and controllable expenses.

Team Building & Management:

• Provide the vision, strategy, and tools to all team members to successfully execute their community dining program in order to exceed resident and client satisfaction.
• Exceptional leadership abilities, with a demonstrated ability to motivate, develop, and manage a diverse team.
• Provide both positive and negative feedback to department, team or individual staff members, identifying areas for improvement and implementing training programs, as needed, through onsite meetings, virtual meetings, telephone calls, one on one coaching.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and motivate a high-performing team of culinary, hospitality and service professionals, fostering a hospitality culture of excellence and teamwork.
• Utilize an “open door policy” to solicit employee feedback and address team member problems or concerns.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, culinary, health care or related field, or equivalent comparable experience.
• Confirmed ability to manage a team of six or more manager-level team members.
• Experience in multi-unit management with a focus on Dining Services.
• Strong track record of driving customer satisfaction.
• Proven ability to work effectively in an unstructured; fast paced and P&L environment.
• Shown ability to mentor and develop team members.
• Strong Culinary skills and the ability to coach and teach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Excel and online communication tools.

Associate Benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Flexible Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits

Job Summary

Apply to Strategic Dining today!

Strategic Dining is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Associates at Strategic Dining are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Flexible Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Strategic Dining maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID:1379905

Strategic Dining Services

LYN PELLEGRINI

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