Food Service - Assistant Operations Manager at The Honolulu Zoo

SSA Group•Honolulu, HI

22d

About The Position

SSA Group is hiring an Assistant Food Service Operations Manager at The Honolulu Zoo. The role supports management of the food department’s operations, with a particular focus on front-of-house services. The assistant manager helps plan food concepts and equipment needs, supports financial forecasting and operational planning, and works to provide consistent, high-quality guest experiences. The position also supports staff training, scheduling, payroll and controllable profit management, merchandising, facility upkeep, and coordination with vendors and the client’s staff. The role promotes an inclusive and supportive team environment, removes barriers to team members’ growth, and contributes to sustainability, conservation, and community engagement efforts. This is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position eligible for overtime. The job requires varied hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed, and physical ability to stand for extended periods and move or handle boxes weighing up to 35 pounds.

Requirements

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate with clients, the General Manager, and headquarters personnel.
Proven leadership skills and understanding of team building, team development, and partnership building.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills and the ability to stay organized.
Financial management, merchandising, analytical, planning, and leadership skills.
Ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
Computer knowledge and skills for basic office functions.
Physical ability to stand for extended periods and move and handle boxes weighing up to 35 pounds as required by the operation.
Ability to work varied hours and days, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Two years of operations management experience, dependent on sales; additional experience may be applicable.
ServSafe or food-handling certification.
Must be at least 18 years old.

Responsibilities

Deliver warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for guests and clients in line with 452 Hospitality.
Support implementation of operational systems, processes, and policies that serve organizational, business, client, and SSA needs.
Support seasonal planning for food concepts, equipment needs, and operational excellence.
Support financial forecasts, information flow and management, business processes, and organizational planning.
Support merchandising consistency, impulse sales, and per-cap performance.
Oversee food-service training and staff orientation in accordance with the onsite handbook; ensure required SSAfety training is completed upon hire.
Respond to guest needs and resolve complaints effectively.
Maintain food quality, facility cleanliness, and a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
Document employee performance and apply discipline progressively and in compliance with company policies and procedures.
Support day-to-day food-service functions and programs, with a focus on front-of-house operations.
Help facilitate facility and equipment maintenance and repairs.
Maintain a close working relationship with client staff.
Promote consistency and quality across operations and plan menus considering market trends, customer preferences, and nutritional considerations.
Ensure invoices are submitted to the office team so vendors are paid within terms.
Support management of food-department operations, payroll, and controllable profit within established guidelines.
Meet payroll budget expectations through strategic staffing coverage and on-call shifts.
Manage employees in accordance with state and federal labor laws.
Schedule appropriate staffing levels based on budget and business forecasts.
Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the brand team and across units, removing barriers and empowering team members’ growth and opportunities.
Lead by example in sustainability and conservation efforts, understand their business application, and provide opportunities to teach unit staff as needed.
Engage with SSA and the unit in community activities and opportunities to give back.
Perform other tasks as necessary and uphold company policies and procedures.

Benefits

Paid time off plan of up to 144 hours, based on tenure.
Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and other voluntary benefits for employees and their families; employee premiums apply.
401(k) program with a 15% company match, subject to eligibility requirements.
Up to 120 hours of SSA-paid leave for qualifying reasons, including parental leave and serious medical conditions affecting the employee or family.
Up to 40 hours of paid bereavement leave.
On-demand pay program providing access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
Meal plan and employee discounts where applicable.
Tuition discount through a partnership college.
Holiday pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day.
Paid sick leave in accordance with applicable state and local laws.