Area Director Operations Jobs in Georgia (NOW HIRING)

Location: 732 Cherokee Street, Marietta, GA, 30060 Job Title: Area Director Department: Cafe Operations Responsible to: Regional Director/CEO

The Area Director provides strategic direction and serves as primary support for the café management team. Utilizing strong business knowledge, the Area Director oversees the profitability and customer service of a group of cafés across several locations. The Area Director manages the daily operations of the assigned area to achieve sales and profit goals, customer satisfaction, and human capital management objectives. This position ensures objectives are achieved while operating within all company guidelines, cultural values, and ethical business practices.

• Oversee all aspects of the area's business, including human capital, operations, finance, facilities, marketing, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensures consistent execution of all brand standards, including operational standards, food quality, food safety, service, people practices, and customer experience, across every café and every shift.
• Participates in the annual budgeting and capital planning process and manages ongoing financial and operational processes.
• Achieves sales, profitability, guest satisfaction, and team member goals.
• Analyzes all aspects of the business, including financial performance, guest relations, employee relations, marketing, staffing, labor, food costs, and competition.
• Understands the company’s vision, mission, business priorities, and key drivers of profitability and effectively communicates these priorities to café management teams.
• Identifies performance gaps and quickly develops and implements action plans to address them, with a strong bias toward action and measurable results.
• Creates discipline and accountability around the execution of all business channels and operational priorities within each café.
• Acts as a proactive business partner by providing resources, tools, coaching, and support to café management teams while holding leaders accountable for results.
• Attracts, develops, and retains top talent; leverages available resources and HR partnerships to develop and maintain a strong talent pipeline to minimize open positions and maximize performance.
• Is directly accountable for maintaining a strong pipeline of management and team member talent to support the growth and staffing needs of the assigned market.
• Ensures quality recruitment of management candidates by participating in the interview process and approving management hires.
• Ensures café management teams consistently execute people’s practices related to recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, development, performance management, and succession planning.
• Proactively manages performance through regular one‑on‑one coaching, assistance with development plans, progress reviews, and recognition of accomplishments.
• Accurately assesses the strengths and opportunities of direct reports and provides specific, timely, and constructive feedback to support continuous improvement.
• Manages succession planning by identifying high performers and providing meaningful projects, increased responsibilities, and development opportunities.
• Acts as a role model and champion of brand standards while embracing the “Own It” mentality.
• Communicates the company’s strategy and plans, including effective implementation and timely execution of designated initiatives.
• Ensures that the appropriate processes and behaviors are consistently practiced by café management teams to achieve established market goals and protect the company’s brand identity and reputation.
• Ensures compliance with all established operational standards, food safety requirements, workplace safety practices, and applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.
• Conducts routine, structured café visits to evaluate operations, identify opportunities, investigate concerns, and follow up on corrective actions.
• Partners with Legal, Risk Management, Quality Assurance, Human Resources, and other appropriate resources when necessary to address concerns and protect employees, customers, and the company.
• Ensuring every café fosters an inclusive, respectful, and engaging work environment free from discrimination and harassment.
• Develops and executes market‑level plans focused on operational excellence, sales growth, cost management, and the successful implementation of marketing, menu, and operational initiatives.
• Ensures the effective communication and execution of all new products, processes, programs, and company initiatives throughout the assigned market.
• Serves as the champion for ongoing updates, changes, and new initiatives, ensuring they are understood, implemented, and sustained by café management teams.
• Quickly identifies the highest‑priority opportunities that will have the greatest impact on the business, develops action plans, and continuously monitors and adjusts those plans to achieve long‑term results.
• Encourages the team to identify and share process improvement and innovation opportunities.
• Participates in cross‑functional teams and company projects.
• Follows company policies, upholds professional standards, and performs all work in a manner that is respectful of others.
• Exhibits a professional image and promotes and embodies the company’s Values and Beliefs.
• Leads and conducts monthly General Manager meetings.

• Calendaring, prioritization, and market planning.
• Management staffing and succession planning.
• Business performance analysis and action planning.
• Market development and growth planning.
• People development, coaching, performance discussions, and leadership meetings.
• Conducting in‑depth, structured café visits.
• Leveraging available resources and partnerships throughout the market.
• Weekly team communication and cascading company priorities and initiatives.
• Evaluating café staffing levels and scheduling practices.
• Daily coaching, follow‑up, and accountability with café management teams.
• Monitoring execution of operational, people, food, safety, service, and financial priorities.

• Safety
• Food Safety
• Accuracy
• Speed of Service
• Café Health
• Training
• Staffing
• Sales
• Food Cost
• Labor
• Customer Satisfaction
• Team Member Engagement
• Profitability
• Operational Excellence

High School Diploma required; College Degree preferred.

• Three to five plus years of multi‑unit restaurant management experience.
• Three to five plus years of experience supervising direct reports.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and deadline management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrated positive, team‑oriented attitude.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and reasoning skills.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, coach, and develop a high‑performing team.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze business performance, identify opportunities, and implement action plans that deliver measurable results.

Must live within the geographic area being supported. Must be able to work additional hours, including weekends, holidays, and evenings, as required. Must be able to accommodate a variable work schedule from week to week. Travel within the assigned area and throughout the organization may be required. Driving on company business requires a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance coverage meeting or exceeding state requirements for property damage and bodily injury. Must pass background check.

Compensation Range: $80,000 – $100,000 per year.

• Competitive Salary
• Bonus Eligibility
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Vacation
• Auto Allowance
• Flexible Schedule

Bluegrass is a growing organization that offers stability, opportunities for advancement, a great work environment, training, and competitive benefits. We are committed to helping every employee grow professionally while supporting them in reaching their full potential.