Associate Director of Retail Operations - San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance•Escondido, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director of Retail Operations leads a complex retail operation that includes full-service restaurants, quick service retail/food establishments, banquets, merchandise, display, inventory management, procurement, and warehousing. This position reports to the Director of Retail.

Requirements

At least five years’ experience in retail/food service/hospitality management required
At least five years’ experience in leading large teams in high-paced environments required
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, hospitality management, or a related field preferred.
State ServSafe Food Handlers certification within 120 Days
Advanced knowledge of commercial merchandising/food operations/hospitality
Demonstrated ability to effectively lead diverse teams
Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
Knowledge of direct retail, shared revenue, full-service restaurant operations, catering, quick service, and merchandising operations
Knowledge of health and safety regulation
Ability to develop and manage assigned budgets
Able to operate moderately complex computer software programs
Understand union contracts regarding labor use restrictions

Nice To Haves

Experience in multi-unit or large theme park gift, shared revenue, food service, and merchandising store operations preferred
Experience working with represented labor union preferred

Responsibilities

Leads and inspires the retail operations team.
Responsible for the recruiting efforts for the department and ensures adequate staffing levels are in place and flexes according to forecasted business volume.
Oversees training, mentoring, performance management, and conflict resolution.
Responsible for motivating and driving high level of employee engagement.
Oversees and provides financial operational direction to multiple, complex food and merchandising venues with multi-million-dollar valuations.
Exercises fiscal accountability and responsibility for departmental budget.
Participates in strategic short-term and long-term planning, forecasting, and complex project management.
Assists with facility and menu design to support revenue and organizational goals.
Looks for opportunities to drive revenue and enhance guest experience.
Provides high-level oversight to operations in a multitude of retail/restaurant facilities including full-service restaurants, quick service establishments, merchandising, and shared revenue operations for maximum productivity and efficiency.
Responsible for facility and building maintenance and strategic improvements and for facility equipment, diagnostics, and repair/replacement coordination.
Forecasts capital expense requirements.
Oversees inventory and procurement operations for the retail department including: food and supply procurement, warehouse receiving/delivery operations, point of sale and inventory software solutions, inventory accuracy and operating costs, merchandising, and visual displays.
Develops and manages department safety programs with the goal of preventing employee and guest injury.
Ensures all food, beverage, and alcohol health and safety regulations are in place and adhered to.
Ensures kitchen/culinary best practices and cleanliness are established and followed.