Aramark

Director of Operations - Central Region

Aramark • $90K — $120K *
Grosse Pointe, MI 48236In-Person
Business Services
5 - 7 years of experience
1 week ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree preferred.
  • 5+ years leadership experience in relevant fields (Food Service, Retail, etc.).
  • 3-5 years operations leadership experience in route-based or warehouse management.
  • Proven financial performance and operational execution responsibility.
  • Strong grasp of operational metrics and performance management.

Responsibilities

  • Drive operational consistency and standardization across the Central Region.
  • Support identification of performance gaps and root causes in operations.
  • Establish operating routines to ensure execution in assigned areas.
  • Champion initiatives that enhance productivity and service quality.
  • Lead operational readiness and safety performance in the assigned district.

Benefits

  • Remote work flexibility with up to 80% travel.
  • Opportunities for leadership development and coaching.
  • Engagement in a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
  • Partnership with diverse functions across the organization.
Full Job Description
Job Description

At Refreshments, operational excellence is the foundation of sustainable growth. We are seeking an experienced, field-oriented Director of Operations to support the Central Region by driving execution, improving consistency, and accelerating performance across a complex, multi-market business.

Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, this leader will serve as a key operational partner across the Central Region, with informal authority over regional operations and formal responsibility for one assigned District. In addition to direct operational accountability, this role will serve as an informal leader and thought partner across the broader region, helping translate strategy into disciplined execution, measurable outcomes, and sustainable operating routines.

This role is responsible for supporting revenue growth, profitability, client retention, service execution, safety, employee engagement, operational efficiency, fleet readiness, and margin improvement. The successful candidate will bring strong business judgment, operational discipline, financial acumen, and the ability to influence leaders at multiple levels of the organization.

This is a highly visible, field-facing leadership role requiring the ability to balance strategy with hands-on execution. The Director of Operations will help identify performance gaps, simplify complex operational challenges, build accountability, and support a culture focused on safety, service, continuous improvement, and results.

This is a remote position with up to 80% travel.

What You'll Lead - Operational Leadership & Growth

Regional Operational Excellence

  • Serve as a key operational partner across the Central Region, helping drive consistency, standardization, and continuous improvement across core operating processes.
  • Translate regional priorities into actionable plans that improve service execution, productivity, safety, client satisfaction, and financial results.
  • Support Market Center and District leaders in identifying performance gaps, root causes, and practical solutions that can be executed in the field.
  • Establish clear expectations, operating routines, and follow-up mechanisms to ensure disciplined execution across assigned areas of responsibility.
  • Champion operational initiatives that improve productivity, service quality, employee engagement, safety performance, revenue, EBIT, and margin.


Assigned District

  • Maintain formal operational responsibility for one assigned District.
  • Lead business performance for assigned areas, including revenue growth, profitability, client retention, safety, service execution, employee engagement, and operational discipline.
  • Support the continued integration, stabilization, and optimization of this acquired business, ensuring alignment with Refreshments standards, systems, expectations, and operating practices.
  • Build strong leadership routines within assigned operations to improve communication, accountability, staffing, service execution, and financial performance.
  • Ensure leaders maintain a safe, healthy, compliant, and productive environment for employees, clients, customers, and consumers.


Growth & Client Partnership

  • Drive growth within the existing client base by partnering with Sales, Operations, and Market Center leadership to identify opportunities, strengthen relationships, and improve service delivery.
  • Ensure exceptional customer service and operational execution that support client loyalty, retention, and long-term value creation.
  • Identify innovative solutions, process improvements, and emerging opportunities that position the business for continued success.
  • Partner with commercial leaders to support organic growth, improved client penetration, and execution of strategic service offerings.


What Youll Lead - Performance, Leadership & Operational Readiness

Performance, Financial Discipline & Margin Improvement

  • Leverage data, financial insights, and operational metrics to identify opportunities and accelerate performance.
  • Understand and analyze key performance indicators, including revenue, EBIT, margin, labor, route performance, order trends, inventory, service levels, client retention, customer satisfaction, and safety.
  • Educate and coach leaders on the operational levers that impact margin, productivity, service execution, and financial performance.
  • Help leaders move beyond reporting results by identifying actions, owners, timelines, and measurable improvement plans.


Leadership, Talent & Change Management

  • Model key leadership behaviors and reinforce a culture of safety, service excellence, accountability, inclusion, and continuous learning.
  • Lead through influence, collaboration, and visibility while fostering trust across all levels of the organization.
  • Coach and mentor District, Market Center, and functional leaders to elevate performance and prepare future organizational leaders.
  • Lead organizational change efforts and support the successful implementation of strategic business initiatives.
  • Champion service, safety leadership, employee engagement, and other key initiatives that strengthen culture and performance.


Cross-Functional Partnership

  • Maintain strong working relationships with key functional partners, including Sales, Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, Safety, Fleet, and Compliance.
  • Partner with functional leaders to remove barriers, improve decision-making, and support execution across assigned operations and the broader Central Region.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor and operational thought partner to regional leadership.
  • Partner with business unit leaders and stakeholders to inspire change, support adoption of new processes, and improve business outcomes.


Fleet, Safety & Operational Readiness

  • Provide fleet oversight, including operations, maintenance, safety expectations, vehicle utilization, and operational readiness.
  • Ensure adoption of Aramark processes, systems, tools, and operating routines.
  • Reinforce safety expectations and ensure leaders are actively managing safe work practices, compliance, and risk mitigation.


At Aramark, developing new skills and doing what it takes to get the job done makes a positive impact for our employees and customers. Job duties may change or new ones may be assigned without formal notice.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree highly preferred.
  • Minimum of 5+ years of leadership experience in Food Service, Hospitality, Facilities, Business Management, Direct Store Delivery, Retail, Route Operations, Warehouse Operations, Service Operations, Equipment Maintenance, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience in operations leadership, route-based operations, warehouse management, service/equipment maintenance, or similar business environments.
  • Proven leadership experience with responsibility for financial performance, operational execution, client service, and/or P&L outcomes.
  • Strong understanding of operational metrics, financial drivers, productivity levers, margin improvement, and performance management routines.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, build alignment, and drive accountability across multiple locations, functions, and leadership levels.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage effectively with frontline employees, Market Center leadership, regional leadership, clients, and functional partners.
  • Ability to diagnose operational issues, simplify complex problems, and support practical, sustainable solutions.
  • Experience leading change, implementing new processes, and improving business performance in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office required; Salesforce experience preferred.
  • Demonstrated commitment to safety, service excellence, employee engagement, client satisfaction, and continuous improvement.
  • Ability to lead in a diverse environment with a strong focus on client and guest service.
  • Valid driver's license required.


Leadership Characteristics

The ideal candidate is:

  • Operationally Disciplined - Understands that great strategy means nothing without consistent field execution.
  • Results-Oriented - Focused on measurable outcomes and accountable for delivering commitments.
  • Influential - Able to lead without always having direct authority, building trust and alignment across the region.
  • Financially Savvy - Understands how operational decisions impact revenue, margin, EBIT, labor, productivity, and client retention.
  • People-Focused - Builds strong teams, develops leaders, and creates an engaging culture where people can perform.
  • Change-Ready - Comfortable leading through integration, transformation, ambiguity, and evolving business needs.
  • Collaborative - Builds strong partnerships across Operations, Sales, HR, Finance, Supply Chain, Fleet, Safety, and Compliance.
  • Practical - Can diagnose problems quickly and turn complex issues into clear, executable action plans.


About Aramark

Aramark provides food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. ARAMARK’s position as a world leader in facility services stems from decades of experience and superior service in the diversified outsourcing industry. From their humble beginnings in 1936 at the helm of Davre Davidson and his peanut vending machines to our place — for the sixth time in nine years — at the top of Fortune magazine’s list of the “World’s Most Admired Companies,” ARAMARK has maintained an unwavering focus on providing world-class experiences, environments, and outcomes for their clients. At ARAMARK, they take care of buildings and infrastructure so that their customers can take care of their core business. They are proud to provide exceptional facility management services for 1,600 companies in 16,000 facilities — about 1.8 billion square feet worldwide. ARAMARK provides comprehensive facility service solutions that enable its clients to maximize safety, productivity, and reliability. Their success is the result of their steadfast commitment to service excellence. They pride themselves on delivering customizable, sustainable solutions in a wide range of facilities by working closely with their clients to achieve mutual goals. Self-performed services, ongoing client communication, performance metrics, and an environment of team learning and development enable us to perform beyond expectations in virtually every client engagement. Whatever the company’s facility needs, ARAMARK is here to consistently exceed the expectations for service excellence with the best people, the most innovative processes, and the latest technologies.

Aramark Careers

Join Aramark's vibrant team today and be part of a company that values innovation, leadership, and diversity. As a global leader in food, facilities, and uniform services, Aramark offers unparalleled job opportunities designed to enhance your professional growth and development. Work You’ll Do At Aramark, we are committed to fostering a culture of growth and innovation. Our team members are at the heart of our operations, providing essential services across various industries. By joining our team, you will collaborate with skilled professionals dedicated to making a meaningful impact every day. Aramark offers a wide range of employment opportunities, from frontline positions to executive roles, each contributing to our mission of delivering experiences that enrich and nourish lives. Whether you are looking for a full-time position or an internship, Aramark provides a path that will advance your career and expand your skills. Leadership and Development Step into a role that challenges you to be your best. Aramark’s leadership is committed to nurturing talents through robust training programs and diversity initiatives that ensure all team members are valued and have the opportunity to succeed. Our leadership training equips you with the tools necessary to lead with confidence and integrity. Innovation at Work Innovation is at the core of Aramark, where we continuously seek cutting-edge solutions to improve our services and operations. Engage in work that pushes the boundaries and leads to transformative outcomes, not just for our company but for the industries we serve. Join Our Team Explore the multitude of job opportunities at Aramark, where your career aspirations can take flight. We are actively hiring creative, curious, and motivated individuals who are ready to contribute to a team that celebrates diversity and is driven by excellence. Internship Programs Kickstart your career with an Aramark internship, where you can apply your classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. Our internships provide a foundation for learning and development, plus the opportunity to build professional networks that can be pivotal in your career journey. Benefits and Culture Aramark is dedicated to supporting our employees with a comprehensive benefits package that promotes a healthy, fulfilling life both inside and outside of work. Our culture thrives on teamwork, respect, and inclusivity, creating an environment where every employee can thrive. Stay Connected Search open positions that match your skills and interests on the Aramark Jobs portal. We look for passionate, solution-driven team players who are eager to make a difference. Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work at Aramark. Job Alert Emails Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at Aramark. Join Aramark today and be part of a team that is dedicated to excellence and innovation in everything we do. Your future starts here!
Learn more about Aramark
Size
248,300 employees
Market Cap
$10.6 billion
Industry
Hospitality & Recreation
Net Income
-$688.5 million
Founded
1936
5 Year Trend
+2.3%
Revenue
$11.3 billion
NASDAQ
ARMK
* Ladders Estimates

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