Vice President, Food Service

High's; Maryland; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and paid holidays

Company-paid life insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Supplemental insurance options

Job summary

High’s in Maryland seeks a Vice President of Food Service to set the strategy and lead performance of our food service business across regions. You’ll own the food program portfolio, margin, and capital plan, shaping offerings as we grow in new markets while honoring our local heritage.

You’ll lead the food service leadership team, partner with Retail Marketing and Category Management, ensure food safety and compliance, and drive the growth of same-store sales.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of food service experience in convenience retail or multi-unit restaurant operations.
• 5+ years in a senior leadership role with P&L ownership.
• Proven ability to improve margin and food cost.
• Executive presence and ability to present to senior leadership.
• ServSafe Manager certification or ability to obtain it.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement a multi-year food service strategy aligned with growth plans.
• Own food service sales, gross margin, and food cost; set targets and drive improvement.
• Evaluate new markets, locations, and determine the right food program per site.
• Build capital investment business cases for equipment, kitchen builds, and remodels.
• Lead and develop the food service leadership team; ensure training for store teams.

Job description

About High’sProudly local ... uniquely High’s. For nearly a century, High’s has served Maryland communities with quality, convenience, and exceptional customer service. Our food program is built on unique local recipes and our heritage ice cream, and it is a big part of what makes High’s different. High’s continues to grow in new markets while staying true to the local heritage that sets us apart.The OpportunityWe’re looking for a Vice President of Food Service to set the strategy and lead the performance of our food service business across all regions. You’ll own our food program portfolio, margin, and capital plan, shape the food offering as we continue to grow in new markets, and build on our local heritage while growing it. Reporting to Sr. VP Retail, you’ll lead the food service team and partner closely with Retail Marketing and Category Management.What You’ll DoCreate and implement a multi-year food service strategy aligned with our growth plans.Own food service sales, gross margin, and food cost; set targets and drive measurable improvement.Evaluate new markets, new locations and decide the right food program for each.Build capital investment business cases for equipment, kitchen builds, remodels, and conversions.Use sales, margin, waste, and customer data to identify trends and decide which programs to launch, scale, fix, or retire.Partner with Retail Marketing and Category Management on menus, promotions, pricing, and vendor strategy.Drive consistent execution of food programs across all stores and grow same-store food service sales.Lead and develop the food service leadership team, and partner with Retail Operations and HR on food service training for store teams.Ensure food safety and regulatory compliance in every jurisdiction where we operate.Present food service performance, expansion plans, and recommendations to senior leadership.What You Bring10+ years of food service experience in convenience retail, quick-service restaurants (QSR), or multi-unit restaurant operations, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role.Proven ownership of a multi-unit food service P&L, including margin and food cost improvement.Experience building capital investment cases and delivering the expected return.Experience growing a food program in new markets or new locations.Strong analytical skills and comfort with sales, margin, and trend data.Executive presence and the ability to present clearly to senior leadership.Bachelor’s degree in business, hospitality, culinary management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.ServSafe Manager certification, or the ability to obtain it.Preferred: Convenience store food service experience is strongly preferred. Candidates from QSR or restaurant backgrounds should be able to show how their experience applies in a c-store environment. Mid-Atlantic market experience and experience with proprietary or regional food brands are a plus.Why High’s?At High’s, we believe our success begins with our people. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are seeking a strategic food service leader who shares our commitment to quality, innovation, team development, and continuous improvement.This is an opportunity to join a respected and growing organization where your leadership will directly influence business performance, our customers’ experience, and the future direction of our food programs. We offer a competitive compensation package, performance-based incentives, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact.Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with company match; paid time off and paid holidays; company-paid life insurance; Flexible Spending Accounts; and supplemental insurance options.How to ApplyApply online at www.highs.comHigh’s is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.