Director of Operations

Take the lead at Dayton International Airport (DAY) as Director of Operations with HMSHost by Avolta . In this critical leadership role, you'll oversee approximately six restaurants and support functions, ensuring operational excellence, team performance, and a high standard of guest satisfaction.

As Director of Operations, you’ll be at the heart of airport food and beverage management - leading with purpose, driving profitability, and fostering strong relationships with landlords, unions, brand partners, DBEs, and joint ventures. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, people-first, and service-driven environment.

Operations Oversight

• Ensure each restaurant is prepped for success daily - clean, staffed, and ready to open
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting; hold GMs accountable for meeting sales and profit targets
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with landlords, brand reps, and DBE partners

Staffing & Talent Development

• Lead hiring, promotions, and performance decisions for management and associates
• Ensure leadership presence during all operating hours across all units
• Drive onboarding, compliance (badging, training, orientation), and offboarding processes
• Champion employee engagement, diversity & inclusion, and recognition initiatives
• Provide consistent coaching, support, and development opportunities for all staff

Financial & Business Acumen

• Analyze operational and financial data to track progress and ensure KPI achievement
• Partner with regional leaders and Ops Controller on financial controls and purchasing decisions
• Monitor loss prevention, product availability, and supply chain issues; escalate when needed

Operational Efficiency & Tech Adoption

• Ensure stock levels, ordering systems, vendor coordination, and waste management are optimized
• Ensure effective use of tools like MIV, Crunch Time, Kronos, and other core systems
• Coordinate equipment maintenance, repairs, and product flow across all restaurants

Brand & Visual Excellence

• Uphold brand standards and ensure every restaurant meets visual and service expectations
• Execute local marketing initiatives and corporate promotions to drive revenue
• Deliver high-level customer service and quickly resolve escalated guest or associate concerns

Safety & Compliance

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of health, safety, and sanitary protocols
• Ensure all GMs are trained and held accountable for health and safety compliance

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Work Environment:

• Progress toward a bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or a combination of post-secondary education and hands-on restaurant management experience.
• Minimum 7 years of restaurant experience with at least 3 years managing multiple units and multiple concepts (QSR, FSR, union/non-union). Full accountability for location success required.
• Strong understanding of key financial metrics and how to drive profitability through behavior, not just metrics. Must be comfortable with P&L and performance drivers.
• Demonstrates knowledge of product and service quality standards and the ability to coach others to those standards.
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with the public, team members, executive leadership, union reps, brand partners, and other key players.
• Proven ability to hire, manage, and develop high-performing teams. Experience with delegation, issue resolution, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Capable of juggling multiple priorities, applying critical thinking, and driving initiatives through effective communication and execution.
• Able to comfortably read, speak, and understand instructions, policy documentation, menus, and standards; can converse effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

Why Join HMSHost by Avolta?

At HMSHost by Avolta, we’re redefining travel dining. We operate some of the most recognized brands and unique local concepts in airports across the country. When you join our team, you gain more than just a job - you become part of a team passionate about people, performance, and purpose.

Read the full job description here:

Additional Information

All job requirements are subject to change to reflect the evolving position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

Avolta, including Dufry, HMSHost Corporation, Hudson, and affiliates (“the Company”), is an equal opportunity employer. It is the Company’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity in all aspects of employment and to comply with anti-discrimination laws and regulations. The Company prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and provides equal opportunities to applicants and team members without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, age, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions and lactation), gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, national origin, disability, military service and veteran status, ancestry, citizenship status, marital status, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances (referred to as “protected characteristics”).