Director of Operations

Position Director of Operations – Big Sky Reports to: Natalie McDade, Sr. Director of Operations Direct reports: Big Sky Culinary Director, GM’s Tips Up, Block 3, Bucks, Event Sales Manager Key relationships: Apres Cru, Salaried Managers, Lone Mtn. Land Co. Location: Big Sky, Montana About the Position The Director of Operations is the lynch pin between Operations in Big Sky and Apres Cru for existing operations (Block 3, Tips Up), openings (Bucks), and new partnerships. They are the eyes, ears, and thought partners for Apres Cru to help build trust, deliver results and support Operations by leveraging their expertise and the Apres Cru platform. They are the operational coordinator for the onboarding and opening of new restaurants and partnerships. They ensure free flow of information between businesses and key Apres Cru Departments (Finance, Marketing, HR, Development, IT) to strategically help each business. The systems they help implement and create are constantly refined, updated with the learnings reinvested in existing operations and future opportunities. The ongoing monitoring and analysis of sales trends and data is essential for a proactive response to identify potential challenges as well as seizing on opportunities to maximize profitability. They are critical in setting expectations and holding all stakeholders accountable in a manner that is aligned with Apres Cru’s hospitality values. In addition to the technical and tactical aspects of their day to day, they also are the culture carrier and ambassador between Apres Cru and our Partners and the Industry at large. This position will work tightly alongside the GM of Bucks for the 2025 winter season while we ramp and build the team. About Apres Cru Apres Cru is a reimagined hospitality company based in NYC founded by seasoned industry veterans that seek out exciting independent operators looking to expand beyond their four walls. We value culture driven by hospitality, brand equity built on integrity, and a willingness to look at operations and growth differently. We partner with each brand, providing both capital and strategic support as they embark on future growth in restaurants, licensing opportunities, partnerships, CPG, and other opportunities. Our growing portfolio currently includes 10 restaurants (Petit Trois, Delphine, P.D.T., Crif Dogs, Mixteca, Pig & Khao, Peasant, Forgione) with more in the pipeline. New Business Onboarding and Restaurant Openings Lead the onboarding process for new Apres Cru partners and key leadership positions Create critical path, assign AOR’s and ensure deliverables and deadlines are met for a seamless onboarding Serve as the quarterback between Apres Cru and businesses, creating and managing critical paths, keeping stakeholders apprised of progress and roadblocks Create, organize, and archive workflow for efficient access by all stakeholders Identify opportunities for efficiencies and value add from an operations and business Serve as a hands on strategic operational partner for managing partners and operators Identifying/clarifying and leveraging roles and responsibilities of the existing team; identifying areas of additional support that is needed Audit existing systems to find synergies and economies of scales and best practices across all Apres Cru Brands. Build trust with businesses while also establishing accountability Serve as a liaison for external auditors and contractors Create a hand off plan to restaurant level operations for sustainable transition Liaise between operations and development for seamless handover to operations Understanding of existing culture and channels of communication (tone, frequency Help evaluate, negotiate, onboard and manage new vendor contracts. Project manage construction, R&M, technology implementation, onboardings and integrations. Operational Systems Actively involved in service to instill hospitality focus, coach teams Continually evaluate and improve upon existing systems and ensure they are accurate, up to date, and being utilized to the fullest Assess strategize solutions for hospitality, delivery, labor MGMT, recipe costing, training, reservations,leadership development, POS, and CRM Ensure DOH, SLA and HR compliance protocols are in place, effective, and adhered to Evaluate menu optimization through p-mix, ingredients, labor, and profitability Create standardize and audit “Black Box” for each restaurant Leverage technology and integrations for added transparency and efficiencies Create and implement manager onboarding to familiarize new managers of systems Work with operators to create clear AOR’s for each manager Ensure hospitality, culture, financial acumen are front of mind for all managers Lead the implementation of systems at the restaurant level and transition to operations Provide foundational support for training manuals, onboarding, operational systems, Work closely with management teams in highlighting opportunities and creating actionable steps and timelines. Apres Cru Forensic analysis of P&L to identify best practices and prioritize short/long term areas of opportunity Work with Finance/Accounting and Tech Partners to leverage integrations, reporting to aid operations Help model and explore various solutions through a myriad of lenses and present actionable suggestions and rollout plans Align with HR to ensure HR systems are adhered to and help fortify culture G/L deep dive and creation of future projections and cash flow implications Audit of existing reports and creation of supplemental reports to provide operators with a daily, weekly, monthly pulse on their business Support in the entity formation, documentation, and foundational work for new businesses as needed Serve as key point of contact between operations, Apres Cru and Managing Partners Additional Skills and Responsibilities Ability to adapt, change, and evolve Culturally aware with high EQ Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment Excellent teacher, listener, and communicator Create structure and systems where it does not currently exist Self-driven, results-oriented, and a passion for excellence Ability to harvest data and analytics and apply it to system implementation that receives buy in by adding operational value Has lots of fun at work but is not afraid of putting in longer hours when required Serve as ambassador for Apres Cru, building trust, strengthening relationships, and adding value to partnerships Possess excellent strategic planning skills, with an emphasis on delivering, executing and assessing action plans Proactively communicates to managing partners Excellent time management, organizational, strategic thinker and multi-tasker Analytical and organizational skills, as well the ability to define and effectively solve and deal with a variety of changing situations Ability to effectively provide clear feedback to a variety of stakeholders Passion for exceptional hospitality, food, and beverages Ability to multitask and exhibit grace under pressure Thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment Experience/Education Breadth of experience in restaurant operations (FOH/BOH) in a variety of settings and service styles Solid understanding of menu creation, ingredient sourcing, inventory management, COGS analysis, labor management, development of systems and procedures Firm grasp of restaurant financial models, budgeting, expense management and P&L analysis Equipped with extensive experience in sales, operations, and financial performance from a customer-focused, operationally excellent restaurant Proficient in a variety of technology systems, especially Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Google Suite of Products (Google Drive/Docs), and restaurant specific software (such as Foodager, Bevager, Margin Edge, or similar) Seniority level Director Employment type Full-time Job function Management and Manufacturing Industries Hospitality #J-18808-Ljbffr