Senior Director of Operational Excellence - Remote

Chicago StaffingChicago, IL, US

8 hours ago

Job type

Full-time

Remote

Job description

Senior Director, Operational Excellence - Remote

Salary : $160000 - $170000 / year

Other Forms of Compensation : 20% Bonus Opportunity

As the leader in business and industry dining, Eurest is the company to join if you want a rewarding career packed with limitless opportunities. We feed the employees of the nation's largest and most-prestigious companies in every state and across all industries. As a member of Eurest's leadership and professional support team, you will help our 16,000 chefs, and in-unit associates excel as they deliver world-class meals in corporate cafes and executive dining rooms with on-site catering through vending innovations and more. Our company is innovative, high performing and fast growing. Our teammates are enthusiastic, committed to quality and thrive on consistently delivering unparalleled results. And did we mention we work with exciting companies and at interesting locations? Come grow your career with Eurest.

Job Summary

The Senior Director of Operational Excellence is a strategic, results-driven leader responsible for driving excellence across multiple operational domains. This role leads a team of four senior leaders focused on Food & Safety Quality Assurance, Design & Construction, Procurement, and Strategic Projects. The position is pivotal in optimizing operational performance, ensuring compliance, and delivering high-impact initiatives across the enterprise. This leader will report directly to the COO and be a key contributor to the organization's transformation and growth strategy. The ideal candidate is a self-starter, strategic thinker, and collaborative influencer with deep expertise in cross-functional operations and data-driven decision-making.

_This role is remote and may be based in any major US city._

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy :

Lead and mentor a team of four senior leaders across core operational functions
Develop and execute strategies that enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, grow margin and improve service delivery
Partner with the COO to align operational initiatives with broader organizational goals
Champion a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration

Functional Oversight :

Food & Safety Quality Assurance : Ensure compliance with all regulatory standards and drive continuous improvement in food safety protocols

Design & Construction : Oversee and support planning, budgeting, and execution of new builds and renovations, ensuring alignment with brand standards and timelines

Procurement : Optimize sourcing strategies, vendor relationships, and cost management across all categories

Strategic Projects : Lead end-to-end project management for new business openings, IT implementations, and operational enhancements within existing business units

Cross-Functional Collaboration :

Work closely with Operations, Human Resources, Sales, and Finance to ensure seamless execution of initiatives

Foster a culture of collaboration and accountability across matrixed teams

Serve as a key liaison between operational teams and executive leadership to ensure strategic alignment

Data & Analytics :

Leverage advanced analytics and performance metrics to inform decision-making and track progress

Implement tools and dashboards that provide visibility into operational KPIs and project milestones

Utilize specialized data and analytics to make sound decisions and drive continuous improvement

Project & Program Management :

Oversee strategic projects from concept to completion, including new business launches and upgrades to existing operations

Ensure all projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget

Client & Stakeholder Engagement :

Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support business growth and retention

Represent the organization in high-level meetings and strategic planning sessions

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Area KPI

Operational Efficiency Reduction in operational costs Process improvement initiatives completed

Food & Safety Quality Assurance Compliance audit pass rate

Incident rate (food safety violations)

Design & Construction Project delivery on time and budget

Capital project ROI

Procurement Cost savings from strategic sourcing

Margin growth

Strategic Projects New business openings delivered on schedule

IT project success rate (on time, on budget, scope)

Internal processes streamlined and delivering margin growth

Collaboration & Influence Stakeholder satisfaction

Cross-functional initiative participation

Decisions supported by data insights

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred

10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, project management, or related fields

Proven success in managing cross-functional teams and complex projects in a matrixed organization

Experience in food safety, construction management, procurement, and strategic planning

Strong analytical skills with experience in data visualization and performance reporting

Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities

Key Competencies

Strategic Thinking

Lean Six Sigma

Deep understanding of analytics, workplace amenities, F&B and / or services

Strong written and communication skills

Operational Excellence

Cross-Functional Leadership

Data-Driven Decision Making

Project Management

Change Management

Collaboration & Influence

Apply to Eurest today!

Eurest is a member of Compass Group USA

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