Operations Manager

LSG Sky Chefs•Santa Ana, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

SkyChefs is seeking a results-driven Operations Manager to oversee daily operations within its Customer Service Center (CSC). The role is responsible for safe, efficient, and timely production and delivery of products while maintaining quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. This visible leadership role drives operational excellence through employee engagement, performance management, process improvement, and safety leadership. The Operations Manager leads multiple teams, including supervisors and production employees; oversees staffing, scheduling, budgets, inventory, and operational resources; and ensures accurate production and catering of flights. The role also leads service and quality investigations, maintains customer relationships, supports business planning, ensures regulatory and airline-specific compliance, and coaches teams toward company goals and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Minimum 5–7 years of progressive leadership experience in operations management, manufacturing, food production, logistics, distribution, airline catering, or a related field.
Proven success managing multiple departments and large frontline teams in a fast-paced operational environment.
Strong leadership skills, a hands-on management style, and the ability to drive accountability, performance, and employee engagement.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with employees, customers, vendors, and executive leadership.
Professional presentation, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
Experience with workforce planning, production scheduling, staffing management, and operational performance metrics.
Ability to identify operational inefficiencies and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities and sound decision-making in a dynamic environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint, and Windows-based applications.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of food manufacturing, airline catering, aviation operations, or other high-volume production environments.
Experience using ERP, production planning, workforce management, or operational reporting systems.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; equivalent education and experience will be considered.
Strategic thinking, operational excellence, team development and coaching, change management, customer focus, continuous improvement, safety and regulatory compliance, and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

Direct and lead multiple teams across operations, including supervisors and production employees.
Manage department costs against budget through effective manpower planning, scheduling, and overtime usage.
Ensure on-time and accurate production in food and equipment preparation and flight catering.
Lead root-cause investigations into service or quality issues and implement corrective actions.
Maintain positive, proactive relationships with internal and external customers.
Provide data for annual department business planning and budgeting.
Ensure compliance with FDA, USDA, OSHA, HACCP, GQS, and airline-specific requirements.
Champion safety and accountability across ramp teams.
Attend daily operational briefings and provide insight on shift performance.
Manage inventory levels for customer-specific equipment.
Oversee staff, equipment, and materials deployment to meet operational demands.
Support annual budgeting, business planning, and performance tracking.
Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team aligned with company values.
Manage employee performance through the Global Performance System (GPS).
Foster teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement.
Support Lean Manufacturing, Quality, Safety, and Operational Excellence initiatives.
Ensure the department is organized, staffed, and supported to meet business goals.