Area Operations Lead

Job description:

JOB TITLE: Area Operations Leader

Who We Are:

We're a fun, fast, flavor‑obsessed brand bringing bold experiences to every guest who walks up to our counter. Every team member plays a part in delivering a “Wow” experience — from the first greeting to the final handoff.

The Area Operations Lead will drive consistent operational excellence, sales performance, and brand compliance across assigned kiosks by optimizing execution, supervising store managers, ensuring food safety compliance, and delivering area-level results.

What You’ll Do (Your Impact):

Guest Experiences

• Ensure consistent guest experience and service standards across all assigned stores
• Review guest feedback and complaints, and help shift leaders and team leader resolve issues quickly.
• Handle escalated guest concerns and coach shift leaders on service recovery and brand behaviors
• Ensure promotions, pricing, and brand standards are executed correctly

Food Quality and Safety

• Ensure stores follow all food safety, sanitation, and health regulations.
• Conduct operational and food safety audits.
• Support teams during inspections and brand audits.
• Review incidents, violations, or audit findings and ensure corrective actions.
• Reinforce proper food handling, storage, and preparation standards.

People Leadership

• Lead store teams with strength and continued optimism and develop store leaders and high-potential leaders across assigned stores.
• Continuously coach shift leaders on how to effectively supervise, train, and engage their teams in accordance with company standards.
• Actively manage store staffing, hiring, onboarding, promotion and placement of current and future store leadership needs
• Manage performance of store teams within the designated area, Set clear expectations and provide ongoing feedback
• In-charge of personnel actions, including promotions, development plans, and disciplinary actions, in alignment with company policy.
• Effectively mitigate human resource risk related to all applicable employment laws.

Sales and Operational Performance

• Review sales, labor, and cost performance across assigned stores.
• Help shift leaders and store teams improve productivity and profitability.
• Identify underperforming stores and lead recovery plans.
• Support execution of local sales and traffic-driving initiatives
• Control labor and food costs as per company direction and with integrity.

Inventory, Equipment & Standards Control

• Ensure stores maintain accurate inventory and follow proper ordering procedures.
• Ensure that weekly food orders are in accordance with the agreed sales and build-to-levels and are submitted before the ordering deadline.
• Ensure proper FIFO, storage, and loss prevention practices are consistently followed.
• Identify recurring supply or equipment issues and escalate to support team for immediate resolution.
• Make timely decisions related to repairs and maintenance that are cost effective and at the same time ensure the safety of the team and guests.
• Support new store openings, transitions, or relocations when needed.

Store Operations & Execution

• Conduct regular store visits and operational reviews and cash and inventory audits.
• Ensure consistent execution of operating standards across stores.
• Create store weekly schedules at least two weeks out at a time ensuring that schedules are aligned with sales and labor budgets.
• Identify execution gaps and drive corrective action plans.
• Support store teams in managing peak periods and operational challenges.
• Ensure stores are consistently clean, safe, and guest-ready.
• Ensure that daily sales are reviewed, and deposits within your designated area are accurate, accounted for and are deposited to the company designated depository banks at least twice a week or as agreed upon with your supervisor.

Compliance and Risk Awareness

• Ensure store follow labor laws, company policies, and safety standards.
• Review incident reports and ensure issues are addressed.
• Support investigations and risk mitigation efforts.
• Ensure required documentation and reporting are completed accurately

Reporting, Communication & Continuous Improvement

• Review and submit area-level performance reports.
• Share trends, risks, and improvement plans with leadership.
• Facilitate area meetings and keep teams aligned.
• Act as the primary link between stores and corporate support teams.

What Success Looks Like:

• Drive Strong Business Results. You consistently improve performance across your stores. Sales continue to grow, labor and food costs stay under control, and stores operate efficiently while delivering great service.
• Operational Excellence. Your network of stores run smoothly every day. Food safety standards are followed, inventory is accurate and operating procedures are consistently executed across locations.
• Guest Experience. Guests receive fast, friendly, and consistent service in every store you oversee. Locations maintain high standards for quality, service, cleanliness, and hospitality, resulting in positive guest feedback.
• Leadership. Strong leaders feel supported, developed, and empowered. You build capable teams, strengthen leadership skills, and help identify and prepare future leaders within the organization.
• Accountability. You address problems early and take ownership of results. Operational issues, compliance risks, and performance gaps are identified quickly and resolved effectively.
• Growth. Your area continues to improve over time. Underperforming stores recover, strong stores continue to grow, and teams adopt better ways of working that elevate the overall business.

Qualifications and Certifications

• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Passed a background check upon hire/promotion
• Have a valid driver’s license and all state required insurances.
• Excel in communication both verbal and written, in a clear concise manner.
• Must be at least 18 years old
• With a high school diploma or equivalent
• At least 2-4 years experience management experience
• At least 5 years experience in QSR or food retail operations
• High degree of computer proficiency (Microsoft 365) with back of house restaurant and point of sales systems and relevant software applications required
• Proven experience managing multiple store managers and locations
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong coaching, leadership and communication skills
• Ability to travel to 50% or more of the time depending on the needs of the business and must have reliable transportation.
• Maintain a working cellphone and can effectively communicate via text, phone calls and emails.
• Required: ServSafe Certification

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel frequently between store locations
• Ability to stand, walk, and work in retail or kiosk environments, including tight spaces
• Ability to observe operations and inspect equipment, cleanliness, and safety practices
• Ability to perform physical movements such as bending, crouching, and reaching
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs occasionally
• Ability to use digital devices for reporting and communication
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and peak periods
• Reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities

Necessary Tools and Equipment

• Hot kitchen equipment including but not limited to; toasters, fryers, warming units, ovens, and microwaves (safety equipment is provided and required to be worn when working with designated equipment).
• Beverage and cooling equipment: soda machines, shake machines and mixers, coffee makers and blenders for specialty beverages, reach-in or walk in coolers and freezers
• POS systems; cash registers, and time keeping equipment.
• Janitorial supplies-brooms, dust pans, deck brushes, towels, buckets, chemicals, toilet brushes, and dish washing supplies.
• Laptop

EEO Statement

PC USA West Operations is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.