Director Retail Operations Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Job DetailsJob Location: Portland Support Center - Portland, OR 97232Salary Range: $125,000.00 - $150,000.00 Salary

Portland, OR | Hybrid (4 Days In Office)

Full-Time | Exempt

Build the systems that help legendary hospitality scale.

At Salt & Straw, legendary hospitality begins long before a guest walks through our doors. It starts with thoughtful operations, clear communication, and the systems that empower our teams to create moments of wonder every day.

We're looking for a Director of Operations Services to build and evolve the operational foundation that helps Salt & Straw scale while preserving the creativity, hospitality, and human connection that make us unique. Reporting to the VP of Operations, you'll partner closely with leaders across the company to translate strategy into execution — creating the tools, systems, and cross-functional partnerships that empower every shop to operate with consistency while delivering the exceptional guest experiences we're known for.

If you're energized by solving complex operational challenges, influencing across teams, and building infrastructure that scales alongside growth, we'd love to meet you.

The systems you build won't just improve operational efficiency — they'll shape the experience of hundreds of leaders and thousands of team members across our shops.

As Salt & Straw enters its next phase of growth, you'll have the opportunity to help define how one of the country's most beloved hospitality brands scales while preserving the creativity, hospitality, and human connection that make us unique.

As Salt & Straw continues expanding into new markets, your initial focus will center on three strategic priorities:

Build the operational foundation.

Design scalable operational programs, systems, communication tools, and processes that support our growing retail organization.

Make cross-functional work actually work.

Partner with Marketing, Technology, Supply Chain, Finance, People Operations, Construction, and Real Estate to ensure initiatives are implemented successfully and land in shops as intended.

Be the strategic gatekeeper.

Help prioritize operational work, ensuring new initiatives align with long-term company goals while protecting the field from unnecessary complexity.

• Shaping the operating model that supports Salt & Straw's continued growth.
• Leading cross-functional planning and project management for New Shop Openings and enterprise-wide operational initiatives.
• Building scalable systems, tools, SOPs, and communication frameworks that empower our field teams.
• Partnering with executive leaders to translate strategy into operational execution.
• Strengthening collaboration across Operations, Marketing, Finance, Technology, Supply Chain, People Operations, and other Support Center teams.
• Championing operational excellence by simplifying work, improving processes, and removing friction.
• Developing operational metrics, reporting, and feedback loops that drive informed decision-making.
• Coaching leaders and fostering alignment, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Who You Are

You naturally see how all the moving pieces connect.

You thrive at the intersection of operations, strategy, and execution. You enjoy bringing order to complexity and creating systems that make other people's jobs easier. You're equally comfortable discussing long-term strategy with executives as you are rolling up your sleeves to build a project plan or solve an operational challenge. Most importantly, you're an influential partner who builds trust across functions, communicates with clarity, and knows how to move work forward — even when you don't have direct authority.

We're especially excited if you have:

• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in multi-unit restaurant, hospitality, retail operations, operations services, or process improvement.
• Strong operations and project management experience — both are essential.
• Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives from planning through implementation.
• Experience helping organizations scale through periods of rapid growth.
• Experience building operational systems, programs, or processes that support a growing business.
• Strong financial and operational acumen with the ability to connect operational metrics to business outcomes.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• A collaborative leadership style that develops people, builds trust, and brings teams together around shared goals.

Success in this role isn't measured only by what you build — it's measured by what you enable.

The best Directors of Operations Services create clarity where there's ambiguity, simplify complex work, and ensure cross-functional initiatives translate into exceptional execution in every shop.

They earn trust across departments, think strategically while executing thoughtfully, and build the operational foundation that allows Salt & Straw to continue growing while preserving the hospitality that makes us unique.

We believe great work starts with taking great care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to support your health, growth, finances, and life outside of work.

• Hybrid work schedule (4 days per week in our Portland Support Center)
• Flexible Time Off (FTO)
• Twelve paid company holidays
• Paid sick time
• Twelve weeks of paid parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Employer-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage
• Mental health resources for you and your family
• 401(k) with company match
• Educational assistance
• Transportation and parking subsidies
• Dog-friendly Portland Support Center
• 30% Team Member Discount
• First access to new flavors before they're available to the public
• Annual performance reviews and merit increases
• On-demand pay options

We are actively embracing pay transparency by disclosing the target hiring range for this position as $125,000–$150,000, depending on experience and qualifications, while highlighting its full earning potential within the broader salary range of $125,000–$172,500.

Everything we do is guided by five values:

• Create the Unbelievable
• Show Up Generously
• Act with Thoughtful Curiosity
• Share Human Kindness
• Make It Count

Salt & Straw is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

Salt & Straw participates in E-Verify to confirm employment authorization.