Reporting to the Director of Strategic Operations, this high visibility role is responsible for providing operational insight, recommendations, and directions for nationwide programs. Key leadership will be on display while cross-functionally leading programs and initiatives that launch to the system improving efficiencies, sales, profit, and guest satisfaction.  Lead and support projects from ideation, proof of concept, testing and implementation. Key project support for testing and brand initiatives across a broad array of subjects under the umbrella of operating restaurants, including but not limited to food, beverage, labor optimization, HR, training, IT systems, marketing, development, and construction.  Ability to lead with a values-based focus to ensure cross-functional teams and departments partner together to ensure efficiency and effectiveness throughout each project.

 

Work with all levels of internal and external leadership, leading teams and ensuring all programs and initiatives are complete and prepared for implementation, execution, operational integration, resulting in driving overall performance. 

 

Responsibilities:

Manages portfolio of projects and programs; manages project simultaneously Manages projects with varying degrees of complexity, definition and risk Leads cross-functional initiatives from inception through testing and implementation Develops project strategies, success criteria, plan, budget, risk, quality standards, and timeline with cross functional resources Develops and execute testing and implementation plan for multi-year corporate initiatives Serves as primary Operations lead on emerging concepts and other strategic initiatives; keeps impact on Operations front and center for every recommended course of action Defines path to resolution, coordinates and integrates efforts across multiple projects Leads cross functional team of subject matter experts; identifies resources required to meet the needs of the initiative; gains alignment from senior leaders on resource commitment Drives results through others by influencing, gaining alignment and effectively facilitating cross-functional activities Independently determines project risks and issues, identifies options and recommended solutions – elevates as necessary to drive results in a timely manner Frequently interacts with senior level franchise and company leadership in order to: Gain alignment Develop and present win-win business solutions to meet various environmental needs Create and present professional level updates as needed Consults with leadership to develop / provide operational recommendations to improve sales, profitability and efficiencies Manages vendor relationships for brand wide operational programs Works directly with Franchisees, their designated points of contact and restaurant operators on Ops shakedowns, Menu pipeline tests and other strategic initiatives.

 

Skills & Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience Minimum 5-7 years Operations or Project Management experience Knowledge of restaurant industry Multi-unit restaurant/food industry experience preferred Strong analytical skills and attention to detail Strong organizational skills Excellent written and oral communication skills Proficiency in Microsoft office applications, including: MS Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint  Strong Team Player, with ability to participate in constructive debate Thrives in a strong feedback culture where change is constant