Director of Operations

Wow Bao is seeking a Director of Operations to oversee our manufacturing plant operations of our brand new 80,00 square-foot facility in Forest City, North Carolina. The Director of Operations is a leader who will bridge the execution goals with floor-level execution, handling P&L, capital projects, and talent development in a high-quality driven environment.  This role is ideal for someone who is ready to create clarity, stability, and continuity as the business grows beyond the initial launch phase. 

This position will report directly to the President/Chief Executive Officer of Wow Bao.  The position is on-site at the food manufacturing site in Forest City, North Carolina.

Why Join Wow Bao?

• Join the adventure! Be part of a fast-growing, innovative brand that’s shaping the future of food
• Make an impact. Opportunity to lead our operations during a pivotal start up and private equity growth phase.
• Collaborative and creative.  Thrive in an entrepreneurial culture that values bold ideas, big growth and aligned with quality products and high performing team.
• Bao-tastic perks!  Enjoy all the delicious, flavorful bao you can handle!

ABOUT WOW BAO

At Wow Bao, we believe that life is too short for uninspired food.  We’re here to transform the Asian Street Food experience from every day and expected to extraordinary and inventive. 

Wow Bao is the fastest growing Frozen Asian Snack brand in the United States!  Through strategic relationships with retail partners Wow Bao is now available in over 16,000 grocery stores nationwide!

Wow Bao has a proud history of delivering restaurant-quality food, beginning in 2003 with the opening of our first location. Since then, we’ve grown into an omni-channel brand, serving guests through our retail business, food service, Chicago restaurants, airports, virtual kitchens, and universities. Today, we’re excited to take the next step in our journey with the launch of our corporate-owned food manufacturing plant—positioning Wow Bao for continued growth across all verticals.

Wow Bao is one of only two brands to be recognized twice by Fast Casual magazine as the number one brand in their annual ranking of the Top 100 Movers & Shakers (2019 & 2022).

WE FOSTER A CULTURE OF CARING

At Wow Bao, every team member leads from a place of care. Whether it’s our guests or team members, we put people first.  We strive to inspire, motivate, and appreciate one another every day.  We live by the golden rule and treat everyone with kindness, empathy, respect, and a healthy dose of humor.  We take our work, not ourselves, seriously.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Other duties will be assigned as needed)

• Oversee all phases of continued facility construction and plant expansion, including planning, budgeting, design review, contractor coordination, and timeline management. Direct the commissioning process, equipment installation, validation, and readiness testing to ensure seamless operational launch.

• Collaborate with the Home Office team and on-site team to execute start‑up plans, staffing models, training programs, production workflows, and SOPs to prepare the new plant for full operational capability.
• Serve as the primary operational leader for new-site readiness, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with corporate strategic growth objectives.
• Develop and execute operational strategies, support growth, manage budgets, and oversee financial performance.
• Optimize workflows, manage inventory, lead automation, and drive process improvement initiatives.
• Champion strict adherence to FDA, USDA, OSHA, HACCP, GMP, and SQF standards.
• Partner closely with cross-functional corporate teams — including Supply Chain, Culinary, Quality Assurance, and Executive Leadership — to align plant operations with company-wide objectives. This includes translating strategic goals into actionable operational plans, ensuring seamless coordination on production needs, driving innovation in new product development and commercialization, maintaining the highest food safety and quality standards, and supporting long‑range capacity, growth, and efficiency initiatives.
• Serve as the operational liaison between the plant and corporate leadership to ensure clarity, collaboration, and flawless execution of organizational priorities.
• Establish, track, and continuously refine key performance indicators (KPIs) across all major operational areas—including safety, quality, cost, and service. Lead the team in interpreting performance data, identifying gaps, and developing targeted action plans to drive measurable improvements.
• Collaborate with human resources to recruit, train and mentor team to foster culture of quality, safety, and high performance.
• Perform calmly and effectively in an extremely busy and fast-paced work environment.
• Knowledge of 5 why’s and understanding of developing and managing an action plan and roadmap for success.
• Ability to travel as needed to the corporate office in Chicago, IL as needed.
• Other tasks and projects assigned on an as needed basis.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in food manufacturing management with demonstrated success at the Plant Manager or Director of Manufacturing/Operations level.
• Deep understanding of food manufacturing regulations in a USDA, FDA, SQF, and GMP environment.
• Preferably someone with a strong understanding of plant startup, stabilization, and scalability.
• Sense of urgency and focus on results.
• Partake in a professional and positive work environment.
• Excellent reading, writing, and oral proficiency of the English language.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Perform calmly and effectively in a fast-paced work environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• This is a full-time position based in Forest City, North Carolina
• Must be able to access and navigate all areas of the production facility
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and occasionally be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time
• Ability to work in various environments including cold environments for extended periods
• Use of protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, and ear protection

• Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)

• 401(k) Retirement Plan

• Voluntary life insurance

• Voluntary disability insurance

• Paid Time Off
• Employee Discount Programs with Perkspot and Working Advantage

• We foster a culture of CARE