Regional Director of Operations

California Pizza Kitchen • Costa Mesa, CA

19d • $120,000 - $135,000

About The Position

The Regional Director of Operations oversees and manages the operations, hospitality standards, and performance of multiple California Pizza Kitchen restaurants in a designated region. Serving as an extension of the Restaurant Support Center in the field, this role is responsible for restaurant profitability, growth, guest experience, and overall success. The position is based on the Central Coast of California (Santa Barbara/Ventura County) and requires travel to various locations locally and nationwide, up to 60% depending on geography.

The role acts as the principal steward of CPK standards and culture, coaching and developing restaurant leaders and ensuring consistent execution across food quality, hospitality, cleanliness, food safety, leadership, and operations. It partners with restaurant leaders, People, Recruitment, Training, RSC departments, vendors, and senior leadership to improve performance, support staffing and development, address operational and employee matters, and ensure compliance with company policies and applicable laws.

The position requires at least four years of progressive multi-unit restaurant operations leadership experience, strong financial and operational knowledge, leadership and communication skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite. Work includes prolonged computer and office work as well as time in restaurant environments, where the role may sit, stand, and walk for extended periods, including up to 12 hours per day, and occasionally lift or move up to 40 pounds.

Requirements

• At least four years of progressive multi-unit restaurant operations leadership experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of restaurant operations, hospitality, food safety, labor management, and operational best practices.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, cost controls, profit optimization, and analysis of key business metrics.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, coach, and hold leaders accountable for performance and results.
• Ability to think strategically, solve complex problems, and make sound business decisions that drive operational performance.
• Knowledge of talent management, employee relations, and leadership development practices.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and influence leaders across all levels of the organization.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands, manage multiple initiatives, and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Ability to travel locally and nationwide up to 60%, depending on geographical location.
• Ability to work in a restaurant environment with varying noise levels and temperatures; sit, stand, and walk for extended periods, including up to 12 hours per day; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, lift, carry, and move up to 40 pounds; and navigate kitchen and dining room environments.
• Specific vision abilities include close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Responsibilities

• Uphold CPK standards and brand promise across the region, reinforcing expectations through coaching, recognition, and accountability.
• Coach General Managers in leadership, business decision-making, team development, and sustained restaurant performance.
• Recruit, coach, develop, and retain restaurant leaders through performance management, succession planning, and ongoing development.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence by setting expectations, giving feedback, recognizing success, and holding leaders accountable.
• Champion CPK's culture and ROCK philosophy in leadership behaviors, team interactions, decision-making, and guest experiences.
• Ensure restaurants execute sales forecasts through appropriate labor schedules, staffing, food preparation, inventory, and operational readiness.
• Establish a field leadership cadence that prioritizes restaurant visits and coaching before, during, and after key business periods; assess readiness and improve operating routines and execution.
• Oversee facilities, repairs, maintenance, equipment performance, and capital asset needs; partner with leaders and vendors on preventive maintenance, investments, repair costs, and proactive issue resolution.
• Monitor guest feedback, complaint trends, and guest recovery, and partner with restaurant leaders to improve satisfaction and protect the brand.
• Partner with the People Business Partner on employee relations, investigations, performance management, corrective action, leadership coaching, and compliance.
• Collaborate with People, Recruitment, and Training on staffing, talent development, leadership readiness, administrative processes, and organizational effectiveness.
• Partner with Restaurant Support Center departments, vendors, and business partners to execute company initiatives and support restaurant operations.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, licensing obligations, and applicable federal, state, and local laws, including labor, employment, safety, and recordkeeping requirements.
• Communicate business performance, operational priorities, emerging risks, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership, and lead resolution of regional operational, guest, employee, or business issues.

Benefits

• Opportunities for growth and development, including promotion from within.
• Electronic learning platform, “The Proof,” for continuous development.
• All the pizza you can eat.
• Employee-driven Kindness Fund assistance program.
• Industry-competitive compensation package with bonus potential.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance.
• 401K.

What This Job Offers

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