Director of Operations

Salary: $115,000–$125,000
Location: 30 Inip Dr, Inwood, NY 11096

About the role

Provide overall leadership and tactical (strategic) direction for the Assembly processes/department within Gate Gourmet’s large operations. This role is predominantly concentrated around four focal areas:

• Ensuring all Assembly processes are structured and optimized in accordance with corporate standards (Gate OPEX) and local opportunities (General LEAN, CI thinking).
• Optimizing productivity and efficiency through optimal rosters/schedules and proactive short/medium-term labor planning based on proposals and daily use of the OPRS tool.
• Ensuring all assembly processes comply with HACCP, customer specifications/requirements, and other relevant safety and security regulations and policies.
• Continuously developing the Assembly leadership team via proactive coaching, involvement, feedback, and a strong performance-management approach.

As a key member of the Unit Senior Leadership team, this role also requires active engagement in the overall development and improvement of the entire unit—especially in production/labor planning and people management. The individual will have multiple cross-functional touch points and must work closely with the Supply Chain Process Director and HR.

Responsibilities

• Overall leadership and coordination of the three operating areas within Assembly: Wash & Pack; Make & Pack; and Pick & Pack.
• Structure and process optimization (work stations, floor map, work processes).
• Proactive, fact-based labor planning (short, medium, and longer term) in close cooperation with the Supply Chain Process for:
  • Hiring needs (longer term).
  • Optimal rosters/schedules (medium term).
  • Short-term labor planning to adjust hours needed (daily/weekly).
• Ensure QA compliance with HACCP, customer specifications, and requirements.
• Drive engagement and development of the Assembly leadership team through:
  • Coaching.
  • Involvement.
  • Feedback.
  • Consistent and persistent performance management.
• Drive cross-training of staff to increase flexibility within the Assembly process; establish and maintain a skills matrix for optimization of rosters and ongoing labor planning.
• Coordinate with other operational areas of the unit to ensure optimal service for both internal and external customers.
• Ensure all activities and output comply with customer specifications (volume and quality).
• Promote, develop, and support continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives (e.g., GateOpex, Central and Local CI programs).
• Align, implement, and facilitate improvements to agreed US/Group standard processes (e.g., forecasting, planning, IDS interfaces), including best-practice sharing with Assembly Process peers and the Supply Chain Function/OP&C.
• Align material and labor targets with the Supply Chain Process, serving as a strong partner in forecasting and planning (including alignment of the unit’s MPS).
• Set up, delegate, and communicate KPIs within the area; facilitate and drive the use of OPRS/active labor planning across all Assembly processes.
• Accountable for departmental financial indicators (hours, waste, spec compliance).
• Manage productivity and efficiency, including labor adjustments to meet or exceed targets.
• Capture, track, analyze, and ensure correction of incidences (I.F.B.L.) within the department.
• Optimize resources through process improvement, lean, and continuous improvement principles.
• Participate in customer and authority audits.
• Ensure compliance with procedures for hygiene and food safety.
• Actively recognize good performance in the team and promote the company’s reward and recognition scheme.
• Continuously improve quality and efficiency of the team.
• Resolve conflicts and provide solutions by exercising high levels of influencing, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Serve as an operational and management source of expertise, contributing to the success of the unit/senior management team by supporting associated and unit-wide initiatives.
• Organize and lead operational meetings (leadership team meetings and Assembly staff meetings).
• Supervise and support lower-level managers/supervisors on daily operations, including:
  • Conducting performance evaluations for employees, providing specific and detailed feedback on management and leadership skills and goal attainment.
  • Ensuring compliance with company Wage & Hour policy, including rest and meal breaks, and adherence to company processes.
  • Training and monitoring employees on proper work procedures to maximize productivity with minimum labor and food expenses.
  • Monitoring daily manpower planning and scheduling employees.
  • Responsible for employee retention and reducing employee turnover.
  • Coaching, counseling, and preparing corrective actions for employees in compliance with applicable union/collective bargaining agreements.
  • Reviewing and ensuring employees in the chain of command are in correct cost centers and job titles.
  • Reviewing and ensuring union-represented employees’ pay rates are correct based on wage scales and seniority.
• Ensure compliance with all company-required policies, procedures, and processes, including training.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject or business management (preferable).
• Desirable specialization in operational and people management.
• At least 5 years’ experience working within operations in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience providing leadership through a middle-management layer.
• Experience managing a team of more than 100 people.
• Experience in change-management projects.
• Experience in process improvement (a plus).
• Experience working in a food hygiene/health & safety/high-security environment (preferred).
• Previous knowledge of airline catering operations (preferred but not essential).

Skills

• Strong people manager.
• Empathetic and open-minded, yet determined and persistent.
• Resilient and well-rounded individual.
• Team player who believes in structured performance and talent management.
• Planning and coordination—ability to oversee multiple activities simultaneously.
• Continuous improvement mindset—flexible and embracing change.
• Self-motivated and proactive.
• IT literate, with a basic understanding of MS Office and general SAP.
• Excellent communicator, both one-to-one and in group settings.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Job Dimensions

• Geographic responsibility: Large unit (gross revenues of $25M+; direct and indirect headcount of 180+ employees).
• Type of employment: Full-time.
• Travel: Limited but expected.
• Exemption classification: Exempt (United States only).
• Internal relationships: Process Director peers, HR, Commercial, Finance.
• External relationships: Customers and external auditors.
• Direct reports: 3–12.
• Estimated total size of team: 50+.

Work Environment

• Regularly stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during shifts of 10+ hours.
• Physical discomfort may occur due to temperature and noise in a normal production facility.
• Must be able to lift, push, pull, and move product, equipment, or supplies in excess of 25 pounds.
• A rotating schedule of over 55 hours per week is typical.
• Able to work in a deadline-driven environment.