Corporate Food Safety jobs in Vaughan, ON

Director, Operations

Confidential Fast Casual Restaurant Company | Greater Toronto Area, Ontario

Job Type

Full-time, Permanent

Work Arrangement

Field-based with office responsibilities

Reports To

President

Base Salary

$90,000–$110,000 per year, depending on experience

Annual Bonus

20% target, based on individual and company performance

Travel

Regular travel throughout Canada; primarily Ontario initially

About the Company

A growing Canadian fast casual restaurant company is seeking a Director, Operations to help lead the next stage of its expansion. The company operates and franchises a distinctive, health-focused concept and is building a national platform through a combination of company-operated and franchised restaurants.

This is a hands-on operating role in an emerging organization. The successful candidate will spend significant time in restaurants, working directly with General Managers and their teams, supporting franchisees, opening new locations and solving operational challenges.

As the business grows, dedicated resources are expected to be added in company operations, franchise operations and new restaurant openings. Initially, the Director, Operations will have broad responsibility across these functions and will play an important role in building the people, processes and operating infrastructure required to scale across Canada.

The Role

The Director, Operations will have overall responsibility for restaurant operations in Canada. The position will initially oversee a small portfolio of company-operated restaurants in the Greater Toronto Area while leading the operational side of new franchised openings and providing ongoing support and coaching to franchisees.

The Director will also work closely with Canadian leadership and the brand's broader support team on marketing execution, supply chain, training, new products and other initiatives affecting restaurant operations. This is an opportunity for an experienced operator to join at an early stage and help build the operating platform as the Canadian system expands.

Key ResponsibilitiesCompany Restaurant Operations

· Provide operational leadership for company-operated restaurants.

· Lead, coach and hold General Managers accountable for restaurant performance.

· Monitor sales, labour, food cost, profitability, guest experience, food safety and other key operating metrics.

· Review restaurant P&Ls and KPIs, identify opportunities and develop action plans to improve results.

· Conduct regular restaurant visits and operational evaluations.

· Develop strong General Managers and restaurant leadership teams.

· Ensure consistent execution of operating procedures and brand standards.

· Lead implementation of new products, systems, procedures and operational initiatives.

· Support recruiting, training, retention and development of restaurant management teams.

· Establish effective reporting, communication and accountability as the company-operated portfolio grows.

New Restaurant Openings

· Lead the operational execution of new restaurant openings in Canada, particularly new franchised locations.

· Work closely with franchisees, construction and development resources, and the brand support team to ensure each restaurant is operationally ready to open.

· Manage pre-opening operational checklists and readiness.

· Coordinate restaurant setup, equipment and smallwares readiness, inventory, food and supply deliveries, and other operational requirements.

· Lead or coordinate franchisee, management and crew training before opening.

· Be onsite and hands-on during critical pre-opening, opening and post-opening periods.

· Coach franchisees and restaurant teams during opening and troubleshoot operational issues in real time.

· Provide structured post-opening support to help restaurants achieve sales, profitability, guest satisfaction and operational goals.

· Capture learnings from each opening and continuously improve the Canadian opening process.

Franchise Operations and Support

· Serve as a primary operational resource and trusted business partner for Canadian franchisees.

· Build strong relationships with franchise owners and their management teams.

· Conduct regular restaurant visits and operational reviews.

· Coach franchisees on restaurant operations, labour, food cost, inventory management, guest experience and unit economics.

· Review franchise restaurant KPIs and P&Ls and identify opportunities to improve sales and profitability.

· Develop action plans following restaurant visits and follow up to drive measurable improvement.

· Help franchisees develop strong General Managers and restaurant leadership teams.

· Support franchisees through operational challenges while maintaining clear accountability for brand standards.

· Ensure restaurants consistently meet operating, food safety and guest experience standards.

Marketing Execution

· Work with Canadian leadership and franchisees to ensure national, regional and local marketing initiatives are effectively executed at restaurant level.

· Coordinate restaurant readiness for promotions, limited-time offers, new products and other marketing programs.

· Support franchisees with local restaurant marketing and community initiatives.

· Ensure staffing, training, inventory and operations are prepared for major marketing initiatives.

· Monitor restaurant execution and provide feedback on opportunities to improve results.

Supply Chain and Vendor Support

· Work with Canadian leadership, distributors and suppliers to support a reliable Canadian supply chain.

· Monitor product availability, quality and restaurant-level supply issues.

· Help resolve distributor, vendor, equipment and product issues affecting restaurants.

· Support new product introductions and changes to approved products, packaging or suppliers.

· Communicate supply chain issues and solutions clearly and quickly to company restaurants and franchisees.

· Identify opportunities to improve purchasing, inventory management and operational efficiency as the system grows.

Building the Canadian Operations Function

This is an important part of the position. The successful candidate will be expected to help build the operations function, not simply operate within an established structure.

· Help develop the operating infrastructure required to scale across Canada.

· Establish practical processes for restaurant reporting, field visits, new openings, franchise support and performance management.

· Adapt brand systems and best practices to the Canadian market while protecting brand standards.

· Identify operational trends across the system and develop solutions.

· Work closely with senior leadership on business planning, budgets, restaurant performance and development priorities.

· Help recruit, onboard and develop future members of the Canadian operations team.

· Take responsibility for issues that may not fit neatly into a traditional job description.

· Remain actively involved at restaurant level as the Canadian organization grows.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for an experienced restaurant operator who combines strong operating fundamentals with an entrepreneurial, hands-on mentality. The right person will be equally comfortable reviewing a P&L, coaching a General Manager, working with a franchisee, preparing a restaurant for opening and stepping behind the counter when necessary.

Experience and Qualifications

· Seven or more years of progressive restaurant operations experience, preferably within fast casual, QSR or another multi-unit restaurant environment.

· Significant multi-unit leadership experience, including direct responsibility for General Managers and restaurant performance.

· Experience supporting franchised restaurants or working within a franchise organization is strongly preferred.

· Demonstrated experience opening new restaurants and training restaurant teams.

· Strong understanding of restaurant P&Ls, labour management, food cost, inventory and unit-level economics.

· Proven ability to coach restaurant leaders and improve operational performance.

· Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation and restaurant operating standards.

· Experience working with restaurant suppliers, distributors and vendors is an asset.

· Experience executing restaurant marketing programs and new product rollouts is an asset.

· Excellent communication, coaching, relationship-building, organizational and problem-solving skills.

· Ability to manage multiple priorities in a rapidly changing environment.

· Comfort working independently and making decisions without a large corporate support structure.

· Valid driver's licence and ability to travel regularly.

· Postsecondary degree or diploma is an asset; equivalent restaurant leadership experience will be considered.

The Person We're Looking For

· Hands-on: You would rather get into a restaurant and help solve a problem than simply send an email about it.

· A builder: You enjoy creating processes and developing people rather than inheriting a finished organization.

· A coach: You know how to influence General Managers and franchisees while holding them accountable for results.

· Commercially minded: You understand that strong operations need to translate into strong restaurant economics.

· Highly accountable: You take ownership, communicate clearly and follow through.

· Resourceful: You are comfortable making decisions and solving problems without a large corporate infrastructure behind you.

· Adaptable: You understand that responsibilities will evolve as a growing company adds restaurants, franchisees and support resources.

· Collaborative: You can work effectively with restaurant teams, franchisees, suppliers, marketing, development and senior leadership.

· Passionate about hospitality: You care about both the guest experience and creating restaurants where people enjoy working.

What Success Looks Like

Success means company-operated restaurants deliver strong operational and financial performance; General Managers develop capable teams; new restaurants open prepared and to brand standards; franchisees receive practical and consistent operational support; and the Canadian business develops the people, systems and operating discipline required to scale.

Compensation and Benefits

· Base salary of $90,000–$110,000, depending on experience.

· Annual performance bonus with a 20% target, based on achievement of individual and company objectives.

· Paid vacation.

· Business travel and approved expenses reimbursed.

· Additional benefits and employment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process.

Why Join

This is not a role where you will inherit a large team and established corporate infrastructure. You will have the opportunity to help build the Canadian operating platform from the ground up, work directly with senior leadership and see the impact of your decisions in the restaurants and franchise system.

As the business grows, the operations organization is expected to grow with it, creating an opportunity for the successful candidate to build a team and take on increasing leadership responsibility.

How to Apply

Please submit your résumé and a brief cover letter outlining your multi-unit restaurant operations experience and interest in this hands-on growth role. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Pay: $90,000.00-$110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Discounted or free food
• Extended health care
• Flexible schedule
• Mileage reimbursement
• On-site parking
• Vision care

Work Location: In person