Posting Start Date: 8/14/26
Job Title: Manager Operations - Airline Catering
Job Location: Pittsburgh-USA-15231
Work Location Type: On-Site
Salary Range: $72,014.00 - 90,017.00
Role Purpose StatementThe Operations Manager is responsible for leading multiple operational departments within our Pittsburgh facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality execution while consistently meeting customer expectations. This leader oversees a team of frontline supervisors and has indirect responsibility for a large hourly workforce, driving operational performance through strong leadership, accountability, coaching, and continuous improvement.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on, people-focused leader who thrives in fast-paced, high-volume environments. They excel at developing leaders, building engaged teams, solving complex operational challenges, and creating a culture of accountability, safety, and operational excellence. This role requires the ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day execution while delivering results across productivity, quality, service, and cost performance.
Work Location-Near Pittsburgh International AirportWork Type- OnsiteMain AccountabilitiesOperational Leadership- Lead multiple operational departments to achieve performance goals related to safety, quality, productivity, service, and cost.
- Execute daily operational plans while ensuring resources are aligned to meet customer demand and business objectives.
- Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify trends, address performance gaps, and drive sustainable improvements.
- Ensure operational readiness through effective workforce planning, scheduling, inventory management, and equipment utilization.
- Drive on-time, accurate production and service delivery while maintaining exceptional customer satisfaction.
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective action plans to resolve operational, quality, and service issues.
- Partner cross-functionally with Production, Quality, Logistics, Transportation, HR, and Customer Service teams to optimize operational performance.
- Maintain compliance with all company policies, customer requirements, FDA, HACCP, safety, health, and environmental regulations.
Leadership & Talent Development- Lead, coach, and develop a team of frontline supervisors, ensuring consistent execution and leadership effectiveness across departments.
- Foster a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations, measuring results, providing feedback, and addressing performance concerns in a timely manner.
- Build leadership capability through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and employee development initiatives.
- Drive employee engagement by promoting open communication, recognition, and a positive work environment.
- Partner with Human Resources on talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, and workforce planning activities.
- Ensure departments are appropriately staffed and equipped to meet operational demands while controlling labor costs.
Continuous Improvement & Business Performance- Champion Lean, continuous improvement, and operational excellence initiatives that improve productivity, quality, efficiency, and cost performance.
- Identify opportunities to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve resource utilization.
- Manage departmental budgets and control labor, overtime, and operating expenses.
- Utilize operational data and reporting to support decision-making and drive business results.
- Lead change management efforts and drive adoption of new processes, technologies, and organizational initiatives.
- Support annual business planning, budgeting, and strategic operational initiatives.
Knowledge, Skills and ExperienceRequired- Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent leadership experience may be considered.
- 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, food production, logistics, warehouse, distribution, aviation catering, or other high-volume operational environments.
- Experience leading multiple departments or business functions through frontline supervisors.
- Demonstrated success managing large teams, including indirect oversight of 100+ hourly employees.
- Proven ability to coach, develop, and hold leaders accountable for performance and results.
- Strong understanding of labor management, workforce planning, scheduling, and productivity improvement.
- Experience managing operational metrics related to safety, quality, service, labor, and cost.
- Proven track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiencies.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and operational reporting systems.
Preferred- Experience in food manufacturing, airline catering, production, distribution, or highly regulated operational environments.
- Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement certification.
- Experience working in FDA, HACCP, GMP, or other regulated environments.
- Knowledge of labor relations and unionized work environments.
- Experience leading organizational change and large-scale operational improvement initiatives.
