Operations Manager | Chicago

Blank Street•Chicago, IL

4d•$100,000 - $130,000

About The Position

The Operations Manager is the leader of an area of 5+ stores and the General Managers who lead them. The role focuses on hiring, coaching, and developing General Managers and building engaged, high-performing store teams. The Operations Manager owns the area's P&L, sets priorities and plans, and drives continuous improvement, accountability, and high standards of hospitality. Reporting to the Director of Operations and working with the Field Leadership team, the Operations Manager helps scale leaders and deliver strong experiences for teams and customers. The role includes regular travel between stores, 50 hours per week, five days of availability, and availability to work two peak days, usually weekend days.

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.
Passion for creating exceptional customer and employee experiences and maintaining high store standards.
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.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to travel regularly between stores within the market.
Availability for 50 hours per week, five days per week, including two peak days, usually weekend days.

Responsibilities

Coach General Managers to establish systems, behaviors, and processes that sustain hospitality standards.
Assess standards across the area through store visits and data, and hold General Managers 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 anticipated growth, slowdowns, seasonality, and nearby openings.
Set quarterly labor targets, including headcount and transfers between stores, and coach General Managers on building rotas.
Help General Managers 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 and set quarterly succession targets from barista to General Manager.
Build an area-wide culture that supports collaboration and sharing effective practices.
Monitor store KPIs and P&L, and set area priorities weekly and quarterly.
Partner with each General Manager to create and execute a store plan.
Roll out new initiatives, including menu launches and technology tools, through clear communications, hands-on training, and adoption tracking.

Benefits

$100,000–$130,000 annual base salary.
Competitive total rewards package, which may include benefits, paid time off, and other perks.
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.
Exclusive access to the Regulars program, including free coffee, matcha, and more.
Regular social outings with the team.
Free Blank Street swag.