Restaurant Operations Manager

SSP Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 94,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental and Vision

Life Insurance

401(k) Plan with Employer Matching

PTO – Starting at 80 hours

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

SSP America is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee multiple restaurant concepts at Chicago Midway International Airport. You will coach, develop, and hold Restaurant General Managers accountable for operational excellence, financial performance and brand standards in a high-volume setting.

Reporting to the onsite Director of Operations, you will lead across brands, drive guest experience, manage labor and costs, and ensure systems and reporting are followed while teaching GMs to manage

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years in restaurant/food service in a management/supervisory capacity.
• Five (5) years as a Restaurant General Manager.
• Experience as a Multi-Unit Restaurant Manager overseeing GMs.
• Technical Training: Full Service and Quick Service restaurant experience preferred.
• Culinary background desirable.
• Proficient with MS Office and POS systems; strong organizational skills.
• P&L expertise with ability to teach and coach General Managers.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Restaurant General Managers across multiple brands and concepts.
• Hold GMs accountable for execution, results, and consistency.
• Teach best practices in operations, finance, and people leadership.
• Drive performance in food quality, guest experience, labor, and costs.
• Partner with the Director of Operations to align priorities and execute strategy.
• Ensure systems, processes, and reporting are followed; manage forecasting and budgeting.

Skills

Leadership

Multi-unit management

P&L management

Financial analysis

Coaching

Stakeholder communication

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate’s degree or equivalent coursework preferred

Tools

MS Office

POS systems

Job description

• $110,000 base + quarterly & year-end bonus potential

Be the leader who elevates leaders.

SSP America is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee multiple restaurant concepts at Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). This is a high-visibility, hands-on leadership role focused on coaching, developing, and holding Restaurant General Managers accountable for operational excellence, financial performance, and brand standards.

Reporting directly to the onsite Director of Operations, this role is ideal for a proven multi-unit leader who thrives in high-volume environments and knows how to turn standards into habits - and managers into strong business owners.

What You'll Do:

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Restaurant General Managers across multiple brands and concepts
• Hold GMs accountable for execution, results, and consistency
• Serve as a teacher and mentor, reinforcing best practices in operations, finance, and people leadership
• Drive performance across:
  • Food quality and execution
  • Guest experience and service standards
  • Labor, food cost, and controllables
  • Compliance, safety, and brand standards
• Partner closely with the Director of Operations to align priorities, solve problems, and execute strategy
• Ensure systems, processes, and reporting are consistently followed
• Support forecasting, budgeting, and financial reviews - and teach GMs how to manage their P&Ls
• Identify gaps, address underperformance, and celebrate wins
• Problem Solving: Address routine issues and scope complex problems to higher management as necessary.
• Educational Background:High School Diploma or equivalent, associate’s degree or equivalent coursework preferred.

What We're Looking For:

• Minimum seven (7) years in restaurant/food service in a management/supervisory capacity.
• Minimum five (5) Years in aRestaurant General Managercapacity.
• Experience as aMulti-Unit Restaurant Managerwith oversight of General Managers highly desired.
• Technical Training:Full Service andQuick Service restaurant experience preferred. Culinary background is desirable.
• Technical Skills:Proficient level of computer literacy, including MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), and Point-of-Sale (POS) systems. Effective organizational maturity to prioritize daily, weekly, monthly and yearly activities.
• Interpersonal Skills:Ability to interact at all levels, including with executives, union representatives, and diverse hourly team members. Proven track record of resolving uncomfortable situations with clients, customers, peers and direct reports.
• Finance:P&L expert level with ability to teach and coach General Managers

Why Join Us?

• Lead in one of the most dynamic airport environments in the country
• Work for a global food & beverage leader with multiple brands and growth opportunities
• Make a real impact by developing strong General Managers
• Competitive compensation with bonus potential
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• EAP
• Voluntary Benefits: Life AD&D, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance
• SSP 401(k) Plan with Employer Matching
• PTO – Starting at 80 hours a year

SSP America is an equal opportunity employer. All decisions concerning the employment relationship will be made without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, age, disability, genetic information, or and other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. SSP America will provide reasonable accommodations during the application and interview process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws.