Director Operations Excellence Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Our Purpose

At Chick-fil-A 8 Mile & Woodward, our purpose is to glorify God by being faithful stewards of all that has been entrusted to us and by having a positive influence on everyone who comes into contact with our restaurant. We are committed to making a positive impact on our guests, Team Members, and community through genuine hospitality, leadership development, meaningful relationships, and operational excellence.

The Director of Heart of House Operations plays a critical role in fulfilling that mission by developing leaders, serving Team Members, ensuring exceptional food quality, and creating systems that allow the restaurant to serve guests with excellence every day.

Position Summary

The Director of Heart of House Operations leads all kitchen operations and develops a high-performing team committed to operational excellence. This leader oversees food quality, food safety, inventory management, labor performance, training, and kitchen leadership development to ensure Chick-fil-A standards are consistently executed.

The Director of Heart of House Operations is the primary steward of kitchen culture and is responsible for building systems, developing leaders, and creating an environment where Team Members can grow and thrive. This individual must possess strong leadership skills, operational discipline, and a passion for serving others through excellence.

• Lead and develop a Heart of House Operations team of 15–40+ employees, including kitchen leaders, team members, and prep staff; provide hands‑on supervision, scheduling, performance management, and coaching to ensure operational excellence and adherence to Chick‑fil‑A standards.
• Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Onboard, develop, and retain high‑performing kitchen team members.
• Develop future leaders through coaching, mentoring, & leadership development plans.
• Conduct regular performance conversations and development discussions.

• Ensure all food is prepared according to Chick‑fil‑A recipes, procedures, and quality standards.
• Maintain excellence in food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness.
• Ensure compliance with all local health department requirements and Chick‑fil‑A standards.
• Conduct routine food safety audits and corrective action plans when necessary.
• Champion a culture where food quality and guest safety are non‑negotiable.

• Lead daily kitchen operations to ensure speed, accuracy, and efficiency.
• Drive execution during peak meal periods & high‑volume business times.
• Monitor operational performance metrics & implement improvement plans.
• Ensure kitchen systems & processes support exceptional guest experiences.
• Partner with Front of House leadership to maintain alignment & operational consistency.

• Manage food ordering, inventory levels, and product rotation.
• Monitor food cost, waste, and inventory variance.
• Develop action plans to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Manage labor utilization and productivity within established goals.
• Ensure proper equipment maintenance and facility care.

• Oversee all Heart of House Operations training & certification processes.
• Ensure Team Members are properly trained across all kitchen stations.
• Maintain and improve operational systems, procedures, & kitchen workflows.
• Lead implementation of new Chick‑fil‑A initiatives & operational enhancements.

• Exceptional food quality and consistency
• Successful completion of all Chick‑fil‑A, health department, food safety, and cleanliness audits
• Food safety and sanitation excellence
• Kitchen labor productivity and labor cost management
• Food cost control, waste reduction, and inventory accuracy
• Team Member retention, engagement, and satisfaction
• Leadership development and internal promotions
• Speed of service and order accuracy
• Operational readiness and execution
• Achievement of restaurant operational and financial goals

• High School diploma or GED.
• Previous restaurant, kitchen, or food service leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Dependable, professional, and results‑oriented.

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Proven ability to lead teams and develop future leaders.
• Experience managing food safety, inventory, labor, and operational systems.
• Strong organizational, communication, and coaching skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment.
• Passion for servant leadership and operational excellence.

• Starting salary: $65,000 – $75,000 annually, based on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated leadership capability.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) available based on tenure & eligibility requirements.
• Medical, dental, & vision insurance benefits available based on eligibility requirements.
• Flexible scheduling to support work‑life balance while meeting business needs.
• Leadership development & advancement opportunities within the organization.
• Paid training and ongoing professional development.

Working at a Chick‑fil‑A® restaurant is more than a job – it’s an opportunity for teamwork and leadership development in a positive, people‑focused environment. Most Chick‑fil‑A restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent, franchised Operators who invest in the future of their Team Members and give back to their communities.