General Manager Airline Catering Operations Hot

About us

Role Purpose Statement

Were growing fast in Chicago and were looking for a dynamic General Manager to help lead the momentum. As the day‑to‑day operational driver for one of our largest and most complex sites youll guide multi‑shift teams elevate performance across production logistics and quality and ensure we deliver outstanding service at scale.

Reporting to the VP of Operations youll play a pivotal role in shaping how this high‑volume operation runs today and evolves for tomorrow. If you thrive in fast‑paced environments love solving operational challenges and are energized by building high‑performing teams this is an opportunity to make a major impact in a flagship location.

Location: Des Plaines IL near OHare International Airport

Main Accountabilities

Business Strategy and Policies

• Execute the VPs strategic direction for Chicago Operations ensuring site priorities align with corporate objectives.
• Foster strong customer relationships through ongoing engagement service alignment and proactive resolution of issues to ensure long-term partnership and satisfaction.
• Co-lead facility management investments expansion and operational allocation by overseeing infrastructure assessments evaluating ROI for capital projects and coordinating with engineering and logistics teams to ensure capacity readiness and operational efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and efficiency through site-level process improvement initiatives deployment of lean tools and adoption of new technologies.

Managing Business

• Partnering with the VP oversee site-level financial and operational performance through KPI monitoring root cause analyses and implementation of corrective measures to meet or exceed targets.
• In alignment with VP priorities lead resource planning cost optimization and investment prioritization to ensure sustainable efficient operations.
• Driving VP-directed initiatives optimize resources and investments by leading regional CAPEX planning workforce coordination and strategic supplier negotiations to improve efficiency reduce costs and maximize ROI.
• Ensuring compliance for the VP maintain regulatory and safety standards by deploying and auditing global frameworks (GQS HACCP) and leading preventive campaigns and corrective actions.
• Executing VP-led labor strategies implement national union agreements at the site level provide guidance to HR and operational leaders and address labor issues to maintain compliance and effective employee relations.

Leadership

• Developing leadership in partnership with the VP build a high-performing leadership structure drive succession planning and encourage cross-functional collaboration.
• Promoting engagement on behalf of the VP foster employee engagement through regular communication feedback mechanisms and initiatives aligned with engagement results.
• Supporting VP leadership initiatives identify high-potential talent prepare the next generation of leaders through coaching and advance regional mobility opportunities.
• Safeguarding operational excellence for the VP coordinate internal audits support external inspections and execute crisis preparedness activities to mitigate risk and ensure regulatory adherence.

Knowledge Skills and Experience

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience within the airline catering industry
• Proven experience leading large complex operations with500+ employees
• Demonstrated success leadingmulti-layer leadership teamsincluding managers and directors
• Strong operational and financial acumen with experience managing site performance metrics
• Experience operating in fast-paced highly regulated environments

Preferred

• Experience managingunionized workforces
• Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement experience