Job Description

Reporting directly to the Sr. Director of Operations. This position must aim to drive high levels of client satisfaction and retention while maximizing - - growth and profitability in leading and managing company service delivery across a state or within multiple states. The Area Director plays key role in leading and ensuring adequate focus on building customer relationships, strong account management and the high quality of delivery of the - - value proposition, scratch cooking, vast menus and beautiful food. The Area Director must ensure that all - - accounts are operating to company standards, and quickly correct any deficiencies which place the account or company at retention, reputational or financial risk. This includes implementing profitable short- and long-term initiatives and processes to optimize workflow, including the submission, review and approval of plans to control budget spending, labor efficiency, food cost oversight, procurement efficiency, workflow efficiencies, and new areas of technology and customer service efficiency. This position also collaborates with other company departments and functions to establish and execute responsibilities.

Responsibilities:

Account Management:

• Ability to build relationships and determine how to partner with each district individually, based on the culture, temperament, and personality of the client and other district stakeholders
• Ability to partner with the district to create an account plan which both articulates the direction of district and highlights goals and activities which will reviewed on a regular basis with client
• Leads development and management of strategic account plans and budgets that meet assigned objectives. Places importance and focus on a high level of customer account management.
• Continue to develop leadership skills with a focus on building strategic relationships in region all while improving service
• Acts as liaison between - - management and the client. The client is defined as administrators, school board officials, parents, students and teachers. Assist and direct GM in meetings that take place with the Business Manager and Superintendent to give periodic updates of account status and ensure client and customer satisfaction
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships by listening and understanding their needs to meet product and service integrity and timeliness of attaining assigned objectives
• Maintain consistent and regular communications with assigned customers ensuring contract deliverables are met and that any issues are promptly identified and resolved

Financial Capability:

• Strong financial acumen with an ability to understand contract levers to meet budget established for the portfolio assigned, and the ability to successfully present any budget changes to the client for budget exceptions
• Ability to comprehend and execute to the RFP and contract terms and effectively negotiate and document client changes which hinder the ability to meet financial goals.
• Accountable to budget and the respective Regional Vice President – Service Delivery for all phases of his/her activities
• Monitor and improve productivity, commodity utilization, labor costs, and resource planning throughout the company
• Escalates high risk issues (union mobilization or grievances, financial and contractual risk, vendor performance issues, dissatisfied board members or administrators, competitive hiring attempts, media issues, etc.) to senior leadership for timely resolution.
• Proven ability to recruit, train and motivate personnel in order to balance staffing structure with profitability and growth
• Ability to have a coaching conversation with subordinates and clients that is clear, compelling, and that reinforces strengths and explores challenges in an effort to help others take accountability for actions and development.
• Supervises leadership in assigned region to promote effective operations and financial performance. Should be done by coaching GMs with strategic planning and data driven oversight as opposed to direct decision making in the region.
• Ability to effectively communicate, discuss and resolve difficult topics with employee, peers, management and clients and addresses difficult situations promptly and ensure that issues do not continue to grow into bigger problems.
• Develop and use GMs as first responder in a district when an issue arises. This may require partnering with other stakeholders.
• DAOs are point person to monitor GM compliance and site-level accountability for all safety programs, policies and procedures.
• Review reports and metrics to evaluate operational needs, identify deficiencies, develop improvement plans, and supervise execution.
• Develop region leadership to provide strong internal customer service such as effective communication and follow-through with all support departments such as Sales, CNOps, Accounting, HR, and Payroll.
• Direct, coordinate, and assign work activities to GMs and monitor, review and evaluate work product, methods, and procedures of those employees.
• Promotes and encourages a team and leadership mentality across all levels of management.
• Establishes a strong safety culture, with site inspections and safety discussions as part of the regular interactions with subordinates. Holds GMs accountable for safety metrics and attends all national safety calls with GMs.
• Ensures that duties, responsibilities, authority and accountability of all direct subordinates are defined and understood

Responsibilities :

• Develop, execute and manage action plans to ensure high quality service delivery of - - programs and quick resolution of issues impacting the client or - - team
• Guide GMs to provide exceptional external customer service—reliable, responsive, and efficient. Ensure that the GMs are doing the same with their AGM’s.
• Assumes responsibilities to know, maintain and grow the company culture as established. If detrimental sub-cultures begin, redirect and utilize influence and/or progressive discipline process to support company culture.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant, Institutional Management, Business Administration or related field required
• Ten + years’ experience as a Food Service Director, or Restaurant Manager or equivalent position required
• Multi-unit management experience required in foodservice or retail environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Products
• Must be able to efficiently learn proprietary and vendor systems effectively, such as MEALS and Bullseye.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment which requires effective time management, multi-tasking and delegation
• Ability to use writing skills and editorial judgment to strategically develop messages for various audiences; and deliver them by evaluating the most appropriate media channel(s) for the particular needs of the target audience.
• Ensure that the management team of the districts know and understand union contracts (where applicable) for compliance and avoidance of costly grievances
• Forward thinking and highly adaptable; must be able multitask
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal. Ability to confidently lead presentations at board meetings, and with other internal and external stakeholders.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and current car insurance (subject to audit at any time)

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Ability to speak, read, write and understand English is required. Ability to speak Spanish is a plus.

Be able to work in a standing position for long periods of time (up to 5 hours)

Be physically able to lift, reach, bend and stoop frequently; lift up to 25 pounds

Ability to travel 70-90% of time with frequent overnights due to regular board meeting attendance at designated districts.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (Gender/Minority/Veterans/Disabled) and participate with the federal E-Verify Employment Eligibility Program.

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