Sr Director - Area Operations

The Wendy's Company; Denver, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 189,000 - 340,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wendy's Company is seeking a Senior Director of Area Operations to lead and develop a regional team across a large portfolio of Wendy's restaurants. You will drive profitability, growth, and customer satisfaction through strategic initiatives and strong leadership.

You will manage 4-6 Directors of Area Operations and oversee about 200 company-owned restaurants, guiding talent, operations, and financial performance across your territory.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of operations management experience with multi-unit P&L responsibility.
• Proven ability to lead, influence and develop organizational capability across diverse stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking with a track record of driving growth and change.

Responsibilities

• Leads and develops a team of 4-6 Directors of Area Operations to improve performance and staffing.
• Maximizes restaurant profit objectives and collaborates with finance partners to meet financial targets.
• Drives sales growth and customer counts by working with cross-functional teams on programs and initiatives.
• Oversees talent development, staffing, turnover goals, and succession planning across the area.

Skills

Leadership

P&L management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA or Masters

Job description

What you'll do

When our square shaped burgers made their first sizzle on the scene more than 50 years ago, people knew our approach wasn’t like any other. Same goes for the way we support our employees. Our culture of openness, flexibility, and inclusiveness allows everybody to flourish in their own way. If you’re looking for a career where you can be part of the action as we continue to grow our iconic brand – We got you!

Leads market growth across half of the Company division by ensuring Directors of Area Operations are implementing strategic brand initiatives to achieve sales and customer count growth, operation objectives, financial results, customer satisfaction, and human resource development objectives. Ensures focus on Wendy’s Brand reputation by driving overall customer satisfaction in all restaurants.

Effectively utilizes corporate resources, strategic partnerships, peers and support functions to achieve business goals. The average portfolio of the Senior Director of Area Operations will include 5-7 Directors of Area Operations and an average of 200 company-owned restaurants. The Senior Director works to ensure objectives are achieved while operating within all Company guidelines and following ethical business practices.

Responsibilities

• Leads and Develops a team of 4-6 Directors of Area Operations driving their capabilities and leadership behaviors to improve overall performance; develop a robust talent pipeline and ensure annual operating plans can be executed to achieve or exceed expectations.
• Maximizes Company Restaurant profit objectives and provides leadership and direction to subordinates for achievement of their assigned territory profit objectives; working closely with finance partners.
• Maximizes Company sales objectives versus budget and prior year and provides leadership and direction to subordinates for achievement of their assigned sales objectives; works closely with cross functional teams to create, design and implement programs that drive consistent customer count and sales increases across the Company portfolio.
• Manages the effective development and utilization of the Company’s human resources; ensures the team achieves staffing and turnover goals. Supports Diversity & inclusion of management work force from restaurant level to above restaurant and Director of Area Operations and ensures subordinates are being developed. Perpetuates Employment Promises that maximizes motivation and productivity of team and ensures all processes are in place. Manages the performance management and succession planning processes in the Area, working closely with their HRBP. Assures adherence to all federal, state and local employment laws.
• Delivers on a Guest Centric model of restaurant operations by ensuring all Model of Excellence metrics are met or exceeded at all Company locations. Provides insight and testing feedback to RSC teams who are creating programs & initiatives to drive sales, traffic and profit growth.
• Participates in the Company’s restaurant planning process, including the development and implementation of the Company’s business plans and budgets to ensure Wendy's growth and development. Working closely with Development staff to advise on location viability for capital investment, relocation, remodel and closure.

Education: High School Diploma/GED

Travel: 60%

Pay Range: $189,000.00 - $340,000.00 Annually

What we expect from you

• preferred: Education: Bachelors Degree; MBA or Masters Degree
• Minimum 7 years experience with increasing responsibility in operations management, including significant experience in P&L management of multi-unit operators
• Ability to lead, influence and develop organizational capability as well as achieve results with a diverse group of stakeholders
• Natural capacity to quickly establish and build effective relationships across the organization; strong communication skills with the ability to engage and motivate people
• Strong strategic thinking capabilities and ability to lead growth and change initiatives
• Superior operating skills, financial and marketing acumen
• Self‑motivated, results-oriented, customer focused team player, holds her or himself accountable for performance, and takes absolute ownership
• High energy and ability to react to situations quickly and decisively, possessing self-confidence to be assertive when taking a position, and not afraid to make decisions

Expected Work Location (Field): It is expected that you will primarily perform work at Wendy's Restaurants or to other field locations as designated by the Company. When not working at a Wendy's location, you are permitted to work remotely. Changes to work location arrangements are subject to managerial approval and business needs. #LI-Onsite

Wendy’s was built on the premise, "Quality is our Recipe®," which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Today, Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand.

The base pay range for this position is listed below. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and budget for the open position and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other relevant factors. This range does not include an estimated value for any benefits, bonus, or other incentives that may be applicable based on position. The target annual bonus for this role is 30% of annualized base salary, based on actual company and personal performance.

Our square burgers make us different and so do our benefits! Our restaurant support roles are eligible for a wide array of benefits, including things such as parental leave, free EAP sessions, company 401k match and other great offerings. For more details about our benefits, including an overview of eligibility and terms for certain benefits, please visit our benefits website, www.wendysbenefits.com.

NOTE: Wendy’s benefits, bonus, and other incentives are governed by the applicable legal plans and policies and, where appropriate, may be subject to Board approval an individual award agreement terms. Those documents supersede all other information regarding Wendy’s benefits, bonus, and other incentives. Wendy’s retains the right to amend or terminate its plans and policies at its sole discretion, in accordance with applicable plans, policies and laws.

Wendy's is an equal employment opportunity employer who may provide reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.