Food Service - Assistant Operations Manager at The Honolulu Zoo

SSA Group, LLC•Honolulu, HI

About The Position

The Assistant Food Service Operations Manager supports management of the food department and the day-to-day operation of food services and programs, with a particular focus on front-of-house operations. The role helps plan upcoming seasons, food concepts, equipment needs, and operational improvements; supports financial forecasting, payroll, controllable profit, merchandising, and staffing; and promotes consistent, high-quality service across operations. The manager trains and orients employees, ensures required safety training is completed, addresses guest needs and complaints, maintains food quality and facility cleanliness, and supports equipment maintenance and repairs. The role also works closely with client staff and vendors, follows company policies and applicable labor laws, and contributes to inclusion, sustainability, conservation, and community-engagement efforts. This is a full-time, non-exempt hourly position eligible for overtime. Work hours may vary and may include nights, weekends, and holidays. The role involves standing for extended periods and lifting or moving boxes weighing up to 35 pounds. Applicants must be at least 18 years old; all education backgrounds are eligible.

Requirements

At least two years of operations management experience, dependent on sales; additional experience may be applicable.
ServSafe certification or food-handler certification.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate with clients, the General Manager, and headquarters personnel.
Proven leadership skills, including team building and development and fostering partnerships.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to stay organized.
Financial management, merchandising, analytical, planning, and leadership skills.
Ability to remain flexible in a fast-paced environment.
Computer skills sufficient for basic office functions.
Physical ability to stand for extended periods and lift or move boxes weighing up to 35 pounds as needed.
Ability to work varied hours and days, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed.
Must be at least 18 years old.
All education backgrounds are eligible; no specific degree is required.

Responsibilities

Deliver warm, welcoming, and memorable experiences for guests and clients in keeping with 452 Hospitality.
Support implementation of operational systems, processes, and policies that meet organizational mission, business needs, client expectations, and SSA expectations.
Support seasonal planning for food concepts, equipment needs, and operational excellence.
Support financial forecasts, information flow and management, business processes, organizational planning, and merchandising consistency and sales.
Oversee food-service training and orientation in accordance with the onsite handbook, and ensure SSAfety training is completed upon hire.
Respond to guest needs quickly and efficiently and resolve complaints effectively.
Maintain food quality, facility cleanliness, and a clean, safe, and organized work environment for employees and guests.
Document and discipline employees progressively in accordance with company policies and procedures to improve performance.
Support day-to-day food-service functions and programs, with a particular focus on front-of-house operations.
Support maintenance and repair of facilities and equipment.
Maintain a close working relationship with client staff.
Ensure consistency and high quality across operations, and plan menus based on market trends, customer preferences, and nutritional considerations.
Ensure invoices are provided 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 coverage planning, including on-call shifts as appropriate.
Manage employees in accordance with state and federal labor laws.
Schedule appropriate staffing levels based on budget and business forecasts.
Uphold and demonstrate understanding of company policies and procedures, and perform other tasks as necessary.
Promote an inclusive and supportive approach within the brand team and across units; remove barriers and empower team members' growth and opportunity.
Lead by example in sustainability and conservation efforts, apply knowledge of those efforts to business operations, and provide opportunities to teach unit staff.
Engage with SSA and the unit in community activities and opportunities to give back.

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 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 access to a portion of earned wages before payday.
Meal plan and employee discounts where applicable.
Tuition discount through a partner 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.
Overtime pay eligibility.