Food Operations Director

Clearwater, FL, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Benefits

Health Insurance

retirement plans

Paid Time Off

Employee Discounts

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

flexible spending accounts

Job Description

Aramark is a globally recognized leader in food services, facilities management, and hospitality, serving millions of guests daily across 15 countries. The company is deeply rooted in its commitment to service excellence and holds firmly to its purpose of making a positive impact on people, partners, communities, and the planet. With a strong focus on diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunities, Aramark fosters a workplace where every employee feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. Whether one is seeking a fresh challenge, a sense of belonging, or a rewarding career, Aramark offers a wide range of opportunities from entry-level to managerial roles, providing a supportive environment designed to nurture employee growth and success.

The Food Operations Director at Aramark plays a critical leadership role in shaping and executing meal solutions that accommodate diverse customer preferences and dietary restrictions. This position involves overseeing and coordinating all aspects of dining facilities where guests have the option to select from a variety of pre-cooked meal offerings. The Food Operations Director is responsible for leading, mentoring, and managing teams to maximize their effectiveness and ensure the highest standards of food service and operational excellence are met. A significant duty is the implementation and adherence to Aramark’s Operational Excellence basics, which include optimizing food production processes, labor efficiency, and cost controls. Financial stewardship is a key aspect of the role, requiring the Director to monitor profit and loss reports, manage budgets focusing on food, beverage, and labor costs, and implement strategies to enhance revenue and operational productivity.

In addition to financial oversight, the Director acts as a bridge between clients, customers, and staff, ensuring clear communication and fostering positive relationships that encourage business growth and client satisfaction. Part of the responsibility includes exploring new product offerings to drive sales and customer retention, as well as being involved in sales negotiations and contracts. Maintaining safety and sanitation standards consistent with governmental regulations and Aramark’s policies is paramount. The Director also manages the front-of-house operations and develops food service strategies that align with client goals while promoting sustainable practices.

Overall, this role requires a balance of strategic thinking, hands-on operational management, and people leadership. Candidates for the Food Operations Director position should have a proven track record in food service management, strong communication skills, and the ability to build lasting collaborative relationships. This full-time role offers an engaging and dynamic work environment within a respected global enterprise focused on excellence in food services.

Job Requirements

At least four years of work experience
Team leadership experience between 1 to 3 years
Proven food service expertise
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Ability to maintain client and customer relationships
Customer service competency
Ability to collaborate across departments
Physical capability to handle manual tasks up to 50 lbs
Ability to stand for extended periods

Job Qualifications

At least four years of relevant work history
Experience leading teams for 1-3 years
Proven track record in food service
Bachelor’s degree or comparable level of hands-on experience
Strong communication skills
Ability to create and sustain positive interactions with clients and customers
Competency in customer service adhering to Aramark’s service standards
Ability to maintain strong working alliances with different departments
Comfortable with intermittent manual handling of items up to 50 lbs
Comfortable standing for prolonged periods

Job Duties

Coordinate, mentor, stimulate, and foster teams to maximize their contributions including recruitment, evaluation, training, coaching, and performance management
Confirm that food services are in accordance with the Executional Schema
Enable your team by creating a shared understanding of the desired outcomes and methods to achieve them through coaching sessions
Implement a system that acknowledges and rewards employees for their contributions
Maintain required safety and sanitation standards during operations
Manage financial performance through revenue expansion and budget administration, emphasizing cost management for food, beverages, and labor
Produce forecasts for operational components and analyze divergences
Supervise unit employees in production oversight, merchandising coordination, quality supervision, cost management, labor administration, and staff training
Secure, onboard, enhance, and retain front-line staff
Conduct intermittent inventory verifications
Uphold ARAMARK, governmental, and accrediting agency standards by maintaining records accordingly
Communicate with client managers and uphold positive client and customer relations
Partake in sales processes and contract negotiations
Explore new offerings to drive sales growth and foster client retention
Manage front-of-house duties within dining operations
Devise and implement food service strategies aligned with client goals emphasizing sustainability