Job Title: Director of Operations -- DoD Food Service Retail

Location: Preferred Central Time Zone

Position Summary

The Director of Operations -- DoD Food Service Retail is responsible for overseeing and optimizing food service retail operations across multiple Department of Defense (DoD) installations. This role ensures contract compliance, operational excellence, food safety, financial performance, and customer satisfaction while aligning operations with DoD standards, military regulations, and company objectives.

The Director of Operations provides leadership to regional and installation-level managers, ensures consistent execution of DoD contract requirements, and serves as a primary liaison with government contracting officers, installation leadership, and inspection authorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily food service retail operations across multiple DoD installations.
• Ensure full compliance with contract requirements, Performance Work Statements (PWS), and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Interpret and execute DoD, DLA, and installation-specific policies and directives.
• Ensure successful contract start-ups, transitions, and mobilizations.

• Serve as senior operational point of contact for Contracting Officers (CO), Contracting Officer's Representatives (COR), and installation leadership.
• Lead and participate in performance reviews, inspections, audits, and site visits.
• Respond to Corrective Action Requests (CARs) and implement preventive measures.
• Support proposal development and operational input for recompetes and new awards.

Food Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all food safety and sanitation standards, including:
• DoD Food Code
• FDA Food Code
• HACCP programs
• Army Veterinary Services / Public Health inspections
• Oversee sanitation, temperature control, allergen management, and food defense programs.
• Ensure all facilities maintain inspection readiness and pass announced and unannounced audits.

Financial & Retail Performance Management

• Manage operational budgets, labor models, food costs, and margins across all sites.
• Monitor retail KPIs including sales, labor productivity, shrink, inventory control, and customer throughput.
• Ensure accurate forecasting, pricing compliance, and adherence to contract pricing structures.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability while maintaining contract compliance.

Leadership & Workforce Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop regional managers, project managers, and site leadership.
• Ensure staffing levels meet contract requirements and service demands.
• Oversee hiring, training, certification, and performance management of food service personnel.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, professionalism, and customer service.

Safety, Security & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with installation access requirements, background checks, and security protocols.
• Oversee workplace safety programs and incident reporting.
• Ensure emergency preparedness and continuity of operations plans are in place at all sites.

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Standardize operating procedures across installations while accommodating installation-specific requirements.
• Implement technology solutions for scheduling, inventory, reporting, and compliance tracking.
• Drive continuous improvement in speed of service, food quality, and customer satisfaction.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 8--10+ years of progressive food service operations leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing DoD or federal food service contracts.
• Strong understanding of PWS execution, COR interac

Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain required background check / CAC access