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Job Description
Director of Operations- Airline Catering Ops SkyChefs - 3.5 Minneapolis, MN Job Details Full-time $126,015.35 - $169,958.75 a year 2 hours ago Qualifications Food and beverage product quality management Food quality maintenance Communication with suppliers Customer communication Operational analysis Performance improvement leadership Strategic goal setting Strategic management Food safety management Safety training program participation as safety practice Managing teams in a customer support role 5 years Coaching Talent management Presentations for conferences or internal meetings Production risk assessment Production safety compliance Contract performance monitoring Frontline customer support management ROI Leadership development Team development Key Performance Indicators Financial operations management Bachelor's degree HACCP Contractual compliance checks Operational risk mitigation Decision making Leading team collaboration initiatives
Full Job Description Job Title:
Director of Operations- Airline Catering Ops Job Location:
Minneapolis-USA-55450
Work Location Type:
On-Site Salary Range:
$126,015.35 - 169,958.75 About us Since 1942, SkyChefs has taken culinary excellence to new heights. As a trusted partner to the nation's leading airlines and retailers, we proudly deliver millions of meals and exceptional service experiences every year across 43 sites throughout the United States. Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are committed to setting the industry standard in aviation culinary, airline services, last-mile logistics, and retail commerce. From the kitchen to the runway, our teams work together to deliver quality, reliability, and service at every altitude. Our people are the heart of everything we do. At SkyChefs, a career is more than a job - it's an opportunity to grow, lead, and make an impact in a fast-paced, team-driven environment. Join America's first, foremost, and finest and take your career to new heights. Role Purpose Statement We are seeking a results-driven Director of Operations to lead our Minneapolis Customer Service Center (CSC). Reporting directly to the General Manager, this role has full oversight of all operational departments and is responsible for driving performance, efficiency, and continuous improvement across the site. This leader will play a critical role in executing business strategy, optimizing processes, and building high-performing teams while ensuring operational excellence, safety, and compliance. The ideal candidate brings strong financial acumen, operational discipline, and a relentless commitment to delivering best-in-class results. Our MSP operations has 550+ employees and services 12+ domestic and international airline clients.
Location:
near
MSP International Airport Benefits:
Eligibile as of Day 1, no waiting period. Main Accountabilities Operational Leadership & Execution Execute the CSC strategic plan and ensure alignment with corporate policies, standards, and customer requirements Oversee day-to-day operations across all departments to ensure performance, efficiency, and service excellence Identify operational inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and performance gaps; implement sustainable solutions Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on process optimization, cost reduction, and quality enhancement Ensure optimal deployment of labor, equipment, and materials to maximize productivity Business & Financial Management Partner with the General Manager to develop annual business plans, budgets, and long-range strategies Manage and optimize operational performance against financial targets, including cost, productivity, and ROI Monitor key performance indicators and take swift corrective action when needed Evaluate risks and opportunities to support proactive, data-driven decision-making Initiate and manage capital expenditure (CapEx) projects Cross-Functional Collaboration Foster strong alignment and communication across operations, supply chain, HR, finance, and commercial teams Build effective partnerships with external stakeholders including customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies Ensure operational methods meet contractual agreements and organizational standards Safety, Quality & Compliance Champion a culture of safety, quality, and compliance across all operations Ensure adherence to all corporate and regulatory requirements (e.g., GQS, HACCP, safety programs) Lead initiatives that strengthen workplace safety, food/production safety (where applicable), and environmental practices Leadership & Talent Development Build, lead, and develop a high-performing, engaged operations team Set clear expectations and hold leaders accountable to ambitious performance standards Coach and develop talent through structured programs, including Global Performance System (GPS) Create a culture grounded in company values, accountability, and continuous improvement Demonstrate emotional intelligence and presence to effectively influence at all levels Knowledge, Skills and Experience Experience & Education Bachelor's degree required (or equivalent experience) 5-7+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations or manufacturing environments Proven experience leading multiple departments and large, cross-functional teams
Core Capabilities Operational Excellence:
Strong ability to identify inefficiencies and implement impactful improvements
Strategic Thinking:
Builds and executes long-term plans aligned with business priorities
Financial Acumen:
Deep understanding of cost drivers, budgeting, and performance metrics
Adaptive Decision-Making:
Thrives in fast-paced environments and makes sound, timely decisions
Process Optimization:
Demonstrated success improving workflows and operational systems
Risk Assessment:
Anticipates challenges and proactively mitigates risk Leadership & Communication Strong communication and presentation skills High emotional intelligence with strong interpersonal judgment Proven ability to influence, align, and inspire teams Competitive, results-oriented mindset with a strong sense of ownership and urgency Why This Role This is a high-impact leadership opportunity to shape the performance and culture of a critical operations center. You will have full operational visibility and the ability to drive meaningful improvements, develop talent, and deliver measurable business results SkyChefs is an EEO and Affirmative Action Employer of Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.
