EWR Director of Operations

$125,000 – $130,000 base + bonus eligible

SSP America is seeking an experienced Director of Restaurant Operations to lead a multi-unit food and beverage portfolio. This role oversees a complex, high-volume airport operation and is ideal for a proven multi-unit leader ready to operate at scale while developing strong General Manager talent.

We elevate airport food and beverage and take pride in delivering a taste of place® across North America. This is a critical leadership role with direct impact on performance, people development, and operational excellence.

What You’ll Do

Operational Leadership

Lead and support multiple General Managers with direct reporting responsibility.
Ensure consistent execution of brand standards, food safety, and guest experience across all units.
Maintain operational readiness in a highly regulated airport environment.
Conduct regular operational assessments and drive corrective action where needed.

Business & Financial Management

Oversee $20M - $30M in annual managed sales volume.
Own full P&L accountability across a multi-unit portfolio.
Analyze KPIs, labor, and inventory to drive profitable, sustainable performance.
Partner with Finance to forecast business needs and manage cost controls.

People Leadership

Build, coach, and develop a strong bench of General Managers and leadership talent.
Establish clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards.
Support succession planning and internal leadership development.

Systems, Compliance & Partnerships

Ensure compliance with SSP policies, brand standards, airport authority requirements, and local/state regulations.
Partner cross-functionally with HR, Finance, Culinary, and Brand teams to support operational goals.
Implement scalable systems and processes to support consistent execution.

Minimum Requirements (Required)

Multi-unit leadership experience with General Manager direct reports – required
Oversight of $20M - $30M annual managed sales volume – required
Minimum 10 years of progressive restaurant leadership experience with full P&L responsibility.
Proven experience leading complex, high-volume operations.
Ability to operate effectively in regulated or highly structured environments (airport, hospitality, retail, logistics, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

Airport operations experience or leadership in a similarly regulated environment.
Demonstrated success stabilizing or improving multi-unit performance.
Strong financial acumen and operational discipline.
Proficiency with POS systems and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

About SSP America

We’re food traveler experts serving travelers. With restaurants in over 60 airports, we bring local favorites to passengers across North America. If you thrive in action, teamwork, and moving fast — this is your place.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

Performance-based bonus opportunity
Career progression across 60+ airports in North America
Work for one of the largest airport restaurant operators in the world
Medical, Dental and Vision
Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
EAP
Voluntary Benefits: Life AD&D, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Pet Insurance
SSP 401(k) Plan with Employer Matching
PTO – Starting at 80 hours a year
6 Premium Paid Holidays
Paid Sick Leave

SSP America is an equal opportunity employer. All decisions concerning the employment relationship will be made without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, age, disability, genetic information, or and other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. SSP America will provide reasonable accommodations during the application and interview process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws.

SSP America

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Director of Operations