Manager Operations - Airline Catering

About us

Role Purpose Statement

The 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 Airport

Work Type- Onsite

Main Accountabilities

Operational 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

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  • 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 Experience

Required

• 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.