SSP America ยท 1 day ago
Director of Restaurant Operations
Jamaica, NY
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$140K/yr - $150K/yr
10+ years expSSP America operates a diverse portfolio of restaurants across John F. Kennedy International Airport Terminal 4. They are seeking an experienced Director of Restaurant Operations to lead the large-scale, multi-brand food and beverage operation within JFK Terminal 4, overseeing 18 units and ensuring high operational standards and guest experiences.
Food & Beverages
Responsibilities
Lead and support a team of multi-unit managers and direct reports, ensuring consistent execution of brand standards, product launches, and promotional programs
Maintain uncompromising quality, food safety, and operational integrity in all units
Conduct regular internal assessments to ensure compliance, readiness, and optimal guest experience
Own full P&L responsibility for a large-scale, multi-unit environment with diverse concepts and brand partners
Analyze KPI and sales performance trends, forecast business needs, and create action plans that drive sustainable results
Optimize labor, inventory, and cost structures through effective planning and operational discipline
Build a strong leadership bench by coaching, mentoring, and developing managers to meet the demands of a complex terminal
Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture with clear expectations and accountability
Support succession planning and ensure strong leadership continuity across all units
Enforce compliance with SSP policies, brand standards, union requirements, and local/state regulations
Implement scalable systems and processes that support consistent execution across multiple concepts and unit types
Partner with internal departments (Finance, HR, Culinary, Brands) to ensure alignment and support operational goals
Qualification
Required
Minimum 10 years of progressive restaurant leadership experience with full P&L accountability
Minimum 5 years of multi-unit leadership overseeing General Managers or multi-unit managers
Experience leading a minimum of 8 operating units within a multi-concept portfolio
Experience managing at least $30 million in annual sales volume
Demonstrated success in stabilizing or turning around underperforming units using systems-based leadership
Proven ability to build strong cultures, develop leaders, and maintain calm, structured accountability in fast-paced environments
Experience partnering with cross-functional teams (Finance, HR, Culinary, Brands, Airport Authorities) to achieve operational goals
Strong proficiency with POS systems and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Ability to develop operational presentations and reporting for senior leadership
Preferred
Airport operations experience or leadership in a similarly regulated, high-volume environment
Benefits
Quarterly Bonus + Year-End Super Bonus
Full Benefits Package
Company
SSP America
We call ourselves the food travel experts. We're passionate about bringing cool, authentic restaurants to airports that reflect a taste of place.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
George Mboya, MBA, CPA, CMA
Chief Financial Officer
Amanda Busby
Chief Operating Officer
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