Manager of Operational Excellence

The Yay Company•Washington, DC

2d•Remote

About The Position

About the Company Yay is rethinking K–12 school dining from the ground up. We partner with schools to deliver fresh, student-loved food through a modern operating model that combines on-site kitchens, regional production, and technology-enabled service — all designed to make lunch better for kids and easier for schools. Founded in 2018, Yay has grown into a multi-market operation serving schools across the country with a proven, scalable model. What began as a marketplace has evolved into a full-service dining platform built to meet the real operational and customer service needs of school communities. Our culture is grounded in ownership, resilience, and a strong can-do mindset. We value people who take initiative, solve problems, and stay positive under pressure, with a deep commitment to serving schools and families well. Backed by experienced venture partners, we are entering our next phase of growth and building the team that will carry us forward.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in food service, retail, or K-12 operations
Proven track record managing multiple locations or supporting multi-unit operations
Experience with operational buildouts, launches, or openings
Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives
Demonstrated ability to create and implement operational processes and procedures
A strong “can-do” mindset — you are a proactive problem-solver who takes ownership, stays positive under pressure, and figures out how to get things done well
High accountability and resilience; you approach challenges with solutions, not excuses
Customer-obsessed orientation, with a deep understanding that serving schools and families well comes first
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency in Google suite and Slack
Willingness and ability to travel extensively (50-70%)

Nice To Haves

Experience in K-12 food service or school nutrition programs
Knowledge of food safety regulations and permitting processes
Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment and facilities
Experience working in high-growth or scaling organizations
Lean operations or Six Sigma experience

Responsibilities

Operational Standardization & Excellence Develop and implement comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all school dining facilities
Create scalable operational frameworks and best practice documentation
Partner with market operational managers to support continuous improvement initiatives
Establish quality standards and operational benchmarks across all locations
New Location Launch Management Lead end-to-end launch process for new schools and dining facilities
Oversee and manage equipment procurement, installation, and buildout projects
Collaborate with school partners to secure all required food service operating permits and licenses
Develop comprehensive launch plans including timelines, milestones, and risk mitigation strategies
Create and execute hiring plans for new locations in partnership with market operational managers
Conduct site assessments and feasibility analysis for prospective locations
Operational Support & Collaboration Serve as strategic partner to market operational managers during and after launch phases
Provide expertise and support in troubleshooting operational challenges
Conduct regular site visits to both new and existing schools to assess operations and identify opportunities
Facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice transfer across markets
Act as liaison between field operations and central leadership