Operations Manager | Chicago

Blank Street • Chicago, IL

1d

About The Position

The Operations Manager is the leader of an area of 5+ stores and the General Managers who run them. The role focuses on hiring, coaching, and developing GMs and building engaged, high-performing store teams. The Operations Manager owns the area's P&L, plans and prioritizes operational improvements, and fosters accountability, hospitality, and continuous improvement. The position reports to the Director of Operations and works with the Field Leadership team to develop leaders and deliver strong experiences for employees and customers.

The role oversees hospitality standards, store performance, quarterly sales and labor planning, inventory calibration, talent pipelines, succession planning, and area-wide culture. It also requires translating business priorities into store plans, rolling out new initiatives, and monitoring adoption. Regular travel between stores in the Chicago market is required. The position is full-time, with a stated schedule of 50 hours per week and availability for five days, including two peak days, usually Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of leadership experience in hospitality, retail, or another fast-growing consumer business.
• Experience leading multiple locations (3–10) and developing the managers who run them.
• Strong operational and financial judgment, including the ability to interpret P&L and KPI dashboards and determine next steps.
• Experience developing managers, hiring, coaching, making decisions, and leading through change.
• Ability to plan a quarter ahead and translate priorities into actionable plans for General Managers.
• Strong written communication skills, including use of Slack, Notion, and email, and confidence speaking in meetings and workshops.
• Passion for hospitality and creating exceptional customer and employee experiences.
• Availability to travel regularly between stores in the market.
• Availability for five days per week, including two peak days, usually weekend days (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday).

Responsibilities

• Coach General Managers to establish systems, behaviors, and processes that maintain hospitality standards.
• Visit stores and use performance data to monitor standards and hold GMs accountable for closing gaps.
• Help turn around struggling stores and launch new stores in the area.
• Translate quarterly sales forecasts into store-level plans and communicate expected growth, slowdowns, seasonality, and nearby openings to GMs.
• Set quarterly labor targets, including headcount and transfers, and coach GMs on building rotas.
• Help GMs calibrate inventory to forecast demand and establish inventory guardrails.
• Develop General Managers through training pathways, regular one-to-ones, and direct feedback.
• Calibrate hiring and promotion decisions across the area and set quarterly succession targets from barista to GM.
• Build a collaborative area-wide culture in which stores share effective practices and support each other.
• Monitor store KPIs and P&L, and set weekly and quarterly priorities for the area.
• Work with each GM to create a store plan, support its execution, and improve performance.
• Roll out new initiatives, including menu launches and technology tools, using clear communication and hands-on training; track adoption.
• Travel regularly between stores within the market.

Benefits

• 15 days of paid annual leave, in addition to company-observed holidays and sick time.
• Three health plan options, with full coverage available for two employee-only tiers.
• Commuter benefits.
• Parental leave.
• Bereavement leave.
• Free coffee, matcha, and other items through the Regulars program.
• Regular social outings with the team.
• Free company swag.
• Competitive total rewards package, which may include benefits, paid time off, and other perks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed