Director of Operations

Call Your Mother Deli•Chicago, IL

20d•$120,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

At Call Your Mother we believe that great food is made even better with amazing service and having fun together. CYM is a neighborhood bagel shop and deli with locations in the DMV area, Colorado, Chicago, and Philadelphia on the way! We're looking for new team members with positive attitudes and an eagerness to learn who are as excited about good food & GOOD VIBES. We’re hiring a Director of Operations based in Chicago! As we expand into Chicago, we're looking for a dynamic Director of Operations to help build something special from the ground up. This is a hands-on field leadership role for someone who loves restaurant operations, thrives in developing people, and is energized by the opportunity to grow a market. As the operational leader for Chicago, you'll be responsible for launching new shops, developing exceptional leaders, driving business results, and building a culture that brings Call Your Mother's values to life every day. You'll spend your time where the action is—in our shops, shoulder-to-shoulder with General Managers and team members—coaching, teaching, problem-solving, celebrating wins, and ensuring both our people and our business thrive. Reporting to the VP of Operations, you'll lead the growth and success of the Chicago market while helping shape the future of Call Your Mother. You'll inspire teams, develop the next generation of leaders, and champion our Core Values (“VIBES”) as we continue to grow our presence in the city.

Requirements

5+ years of multi-unit leadership experience, including at least 2 years in a quick-service, fast-casual, or high-volume restaurant environment.
Experience overseeing 7+ locations and managing businesses exceeding $15M in annual revenue.
Comfortable reviewing a P&L and jumping behind the line to support a busy shift.
Belief that the best leaders are visible, present, and willing to do any job they ask others to do.
Proven track record of attracting, developing, and retaining high-performing teams.
Strong financial acumen, including labor management, inventory controls, scheduling, food cost management, and P&L ownership.
Energized by building teams, developing people, and growing businesses.
Lead with humility, confidence, accountability, and a strong sense of ownership.
Thrive in fast-paced environments and bring calm, clarity, and decisiveness when challenges arise.
Exceptional communicator, coach, and relationship builder who can influence at all levels of the organization.
Successfully led teams through growth, change, and new shop openings.
Care deeply about culture and understand that great guest experiences start with great team experiences.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and can identify trends and opportunities to improve performance.
Hospitality-focused and passionate about creating memorable guest experiences.
Work a schedule driven by the needs of the business, including weekends and holidays.
Lead from the field, spending the vast majority of your time in our shops working shoulder-to-shoulder with leaders and team members to drive results, develop people, and support operations.

Responsibilities

Lead the Chicago Market: Serve as the senior operational leader for all Chicago-area shops and future growth. Build and scale a high-performing market while preserving the culture, hospitality, and quality that define Call Your Mother. Act as the connective tissue between shop teams and the Support Team, ensuring alignment, communication, and execution. Be the face of Call Your Mother leadership in Chicago—visible, accessible, and deeply invested in the success of every shop.
Be a Hands-On Operator: Spend significant time working in shops alongside leaders and teams, at times this will look like managing a shop. Coach in real time on hospitality, food quality, labor management, systems, and leadership. Roll up your sleeves during openings, staffing challenges, high-volume periods, and key business initiatives. Lead by example and model the standards you expect from others.
Develop Great Leaders: Recruit, hire, onboard, coach, and develop General Managers, Shop Leaders, and Team Members. Identify high-potential talent and create development plans that prepare future leaders for growth opportunities. Foster accountability while creating an environment where people feel supported, challenged, and empowered. Build strong succession plans across the market.
Drive Operational Excellence: Ensure consistent execution of Call Your Mother's standards for food quality, cleanliness, safety, hospitality, and culture. Partner with shop leaders to create schedules, manage labor, control inventory, and drive profitability. Conduct regular business reviews, analyzing financial performance, guest feedback, operational metrics, and growth opportunities. Lead successful implementation of new initiatives, technology, menu rollouts, and operational improvements.
Support Growth & Expansion: Lead operational readiness for new shop openings throughout the Chicago market. Partner cross-functionally with People, Training, Marketing, Culinary, and other Support Team leaders to ensure successful launches. Help establish the operational foundation that supports sustainable long-term growth. Bring ideas, insights, and solutions that strengthen the business as we scale.

Benefits

Competitive base salary of $120,000/year plus bonus opportunity.
Exciting opportunities for growth and development!
Health, dental, and vision insurance (for full-time staff averaging 30+ hours/week)
4% employer match 401k
Paid vacation
Paid parental leave
Employee Assistance Program
Free Call Your Mother staff meals
Free fitness and wellness classes
Free English/Spanish classes and DuoLingo reimbursement
Team building activities