Director of Operations

Job DescriptionJob Description

GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB:

This position will be a leadership role that is responsible for all aspects of restaurant operations, training, and development of drive-in management for the Sonic Drive-Ins. Responsible to create and maintain an "Employer of Choice" environment through the execution of all policies, programs and systems. This position will require a mixed balance of field and office work to accomplish operational objectives. The work week will consist of +/- 47.50 hours a week with a majority of the time spent “in the field” during peak hours (including weekends).

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES: The fundamental and primary job duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Manages, trains and coaches General Managers and conducts management orientation.
2. Oversee multiple drive-in employees and management in performing all duties in the Basic Stations (Fountain & Frozen, Dresser, Front Swamp, Back Swamp, Grill, Switchboard, Expeditor, Food Prep, Carhop, Skating Carhop and if applicable Drive-Thru) as needed and depending on store volume, during a shift to ensure the preparation (portion control), temperature, packaging, appearance, presentation, taste and service of all menu items meet operational standards.
3. Adheres to and monitors management compliance of the drive-in employee handbook, policies and practices. Takes appropriate action to address employee issues and policy violations and immediately reports all employee issues, complaints and policy violations to his/her immediate supervisor.
4. Oversees regional market compliance with all drive-in employment-related policies, including but not limited to, policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment and other inappropriate conduct, wage and hour policies and child labor policies. Takes immediate corrective action when necessary.
5. Reviews employee and drive-in management work schedules in a timely manner to ensure continuous ability to properly serve guests in accordance with Sonic Drive-In policy and applicable law.
6. Monitors multiple drive-in cost control procedures for food, labor, paper and inventory.  Takes immediate corrective action when necessary.
7. Audits drive-in employment-related records and payroll records.
8. Reinforces the importance of placing guest needs first to drive-in management on a consistent basis.
9. Responds to escalated guest requests and complaints in a respectful manner. Takes immediate corrective action when necessary.
10. Approves compensation levels of drive-in employees and managers within company guidelines.
11. Prepares all necessary operational reports for multiple drive-ins. Develops appropriate action plans to resolve unfavorable financial and/or sales trends.
12. Ensures that drive-ins operate in a manner that provides consistent day-to-day operations and guest satisfaction, in compliance with the Sonic System and Coast to Coast Commercial, LLC.
13. Oversees training plans and career development programs for drive-in employees and management. These training plans include: successful completion of Sonic Management School (SMS), Train-the-Trainer, all compliance training programs, field training programs, all TotZone certification programs, ServSafe certification, ServSafe Instructor Certification, A-Team training programs and supervisor leadership workshops.
14. Oversees career development plans (including utilizing key performance indicators, performance appraisal process and succession planning process) for all management supervisors and drive-in managers.
15. Administers bonus programs to new management supervisors. Reviews existing bonus programs and makes appropriate recommendations to immediate supervisor.
16. Oversees the recruitment of supervisors and management team members to achieve proper staffing levels within region. Monitors drive-in team member staffing.
17. Ensures that internal or external requests and complaints are resolved in a timely and respectful manner.
18. Ensures that supervisors and general managers manage compliance with all federal, state, and local wage and hour laws and labor and employment laws. Takes immediate corrective action when necessary.
19. Consolidates drive-in related reports in a timely manner, including all weekly and monthly reports, business reviews and monthly profit and loss (P&L) projections.
20. Oversees compliance with cash handling policies, banking procedures and deposit verifications. Takes immediate corrective action when necessary
21. Monitors cost controls, including but not limited to, food, paper and all other controllable cost. Ensures tools and systems are in place to effectively manage cost controls. Negotiates contracts with vendors as needed.
22. Oversees regional market priorities and objectives, including meeting current sales and profit goals.
23. Ensures effective pricing strategies are communicated and implemented within a regional market.
24. Ensures general managers, business partners and market supervisors maintain effective marketing programs. This includes participation in co-ops, national marketing programs and local store marketing.
25. Maintains effective business relationships with other Sonic business partners, including but not limited to  franchisees and vendors. Monitors performance of vendors. Takes immediate corrective action when necessary.
26. Oversees compliance with Sonic’s food safety program, including Sonic Safe, and all local, state and federal health and sanitation laws and regulations. Takes immediate corrective action when necessary.
27. Ensures drive-in facilities comply with company standards by requiring compliance with all safety and security procedures and maintenance programs.
28. Monitors workers’ compensation reporting for regional market. Reviews and takes appropriate action to correct unfavorable trends.
29. Assists in the activities of site selection, building and construction, new store development, existing unit enhancement and remodeling, and lease and landlord negotiations. Approves real estate locations and site plans.
30. Oversees the start-up and operations of new drive-ins.
31. Performs other job-related duties as may be assigned or required.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations and laws relating to employment and labor practices, Equal Employment Opportunity and wage and hour compliance.
2. Recruiting, interviewing and selection practices.
3. Knowledge of federal, state and local health and sanitation laws and regulations.
4. Leadership and supervisory practices and skills.
5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
6. Basic accounting skills.
7. Computer Skills (knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Internet Explorer).
8. Decision-making, organizational and conflict resolutions skills.
9. Meet or exceed qualifications for ServSafe Instructor.
10. Ability to plan and execute tactical business objectives.
11. Ability to comprehend and articulate strategic plans and vision.
12. Proactive, self-motivated and solves problems successfully.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

High School diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Five years of multi-unit restaurant operations experience functioning in a similar capacity is required.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires considerable bending, stooping, lifting, and stretching. Also requires the ability to work within the confined area of the drive-in and work under significant time constraints; such as, delivering food orders and making accurate change within a 2-3 minute time frame. Requires long periods of standing and the ability to lift, push, or pull a maximum of 50 lb with or without assistance. Requires frequent immersing of hands in water to wash and rinse food and small wares. Working environments both inside and outside the drive-in are variable as a result of weather conditions. Requires ability to work irregular hours, nights, weekends, and holidays. Requires ability to be on-call 24 hours a day. Heavy travel can exceed 70%.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates must be able to perform the fundamental job duties and responsibilities satisfactorily, must possess the requisite knowledge and education or experience and must be able to meet the job’s working conditions and physical requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made as necessary to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job as set forth in this job description and as otherwise determined by management.

SONIC CORE VALUES:

At Sonic, we value:

• Respect for everyone touched by the Sonic brand.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and the power of the individual.
• Importance of relationships as a way of life.
• Doing different, special and better things to surprise and delight everyone touched by the Sonic brand

Company DescriptionFor more than 70 years, SONIC, America’s Drive-In has built a dominant position in the drive-in restaurant business. We did it by sticking to what made drive-ins so popular in the first place: made-to-order American classics, signature menu items, speedy service from friendly Carhops and heaping helpings of fun and personality.

SONIC is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants which includes concepts like Buffalo Wild Wings, Arby's, & Rusty Taco.Company DescriptionFor more than 70 years, SONIC, America’s Drive-In has built a dominant position in the drive-in restaurant business. We did it by sticking to what made drive-ins so popular in the first place: made-to-order American classics, signature menu items, speedy service from friendly Carhops and heaping helpings of fun and personality.\r
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SONIC is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants which includes concepts like Buffalo Wild Wings, Arby's, & Rusty Taco.

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