Operations Manager

Surdyk’s is a Minneapolis institution and destination for cheese, charcuterie, wine, spirits, and hospitality. Family-owned and community-rooted for over 90 years, Surdyk’s is known for its curated selection, passionate team, and commitment to creating memorable customer experiences.

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager for Surdyk’s Cheese Shop to help lead daily operations and support the continued success of the food side of the business. The ideal candidate is passionate about hospitality, thrives in fast-paced environments, and enjoys building strong teams and delivering exceptional guest experiences. We’re looking for someone who takes pride in the details, leads with professionalism and energy, and is excited to be part of a respected and growing hospitality business.

Surdyk’s offers a collaborative culture, competitive compensation, employee discounts, and the opportunity to help shape the future of one of Minneapolis’s most iconic specialty food businesses.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Operations Manager oversees daily operations within Surdyk’s Cheese Shop while supporting broader hospitality operations across the Surdyk’s organization. This role is responsible for staffing, scheduling, employee management, operational standards, facility oversight, and team leadership of our customer-facing operations.

Working closely with ownership and leadership teams, the Operations Manager helps ensure exceptional hospitality, strong operational consistency, and smooth day-to-day execution across the business. The ideal candidate is a highly organized and dependable leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, takes hospitality seriously, and is passionate about building strong teams and delivering outstanding guest experiences.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership & Employee Management

• Oversee hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, discipline, and termination processes for customer-facing staff.
• Manage and support teams across retail and hospitality operations.
• Supervise and develop Supervisors/Leads across multiple service environments.
• Foster a professional, respectful, and accountable workplace culture.
• Address employee concerns and performance issues promptly and professionally.
• Maintain clear communication and operational consistency across departments.

Scheduling, Payroll & Labor Management

• Create and manage staff schedules to ensure appropriate coverage and labor efficiency across multiple operational areas.
• Monitor staffing levels based on business volume, events, and seasonal needs.
• Oversee payroll-related responsibilities including timeclock review, approval, attendance tracking, and labor management.
• Monitor labor costs and staffing performance to ensure operational efficiency and financial responsibility.
• Coordinate shift coverage and respond to day-to-day staffing needs.

Financial Oversight

• Maintain operational oversight of labor, cost of goods, and day-to-day financial performance across retail and hospitality operations.
• Work closely with culinary leadership and ownership to support healthy margins, inventory management, waste reduction, and purchasing efficiency.
• Monitor operational trends and identify opportunities to improve profitability, workflow, and cost control.
• Support ownership in maintaining financial accountability across the business.

Operations & Facility Oversight

• Oversee day-to-day customer-facing operations and ensure smooth execution across all service environments.
• Maintain high standards for cleanliness, organization, maintenance, and overall facility presentation.
• Coordinate facility repairs, maintenance requests, and vendor/service appointments as needed.
• Ensure compliance with health, sanitation, and workplace safety standards.
• Support smooth daily operations and troubleshoot operational issues as they arise.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Partner with culinary leadership and ownership to ensure strong communication and alignment between teams and departments.
• Collaborate on operational improvements, staffing strategy, and overall business needs.
• Support special events, seasonal transitions, promotions, and operational projects across the business.

Customer Experience

• Help maintain exceptional hospitality and customer service standards across all customer-facing operations.
• Support teams in delivering knowledgeable, welcoming, and efficient service.
• Lead by example in creating warm, memorable guest experiences that encourage repeat business and long-term customer loyalty.
• Assist with customer concerns or escalated service situations when needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3–5+ years of management experience in hospitality, restaurant, retail, specialty food, or related industries.
• Strong leadership and people management experience, including hiring, training, scheduling, and employee accountability.
• Experience managing labor costs, operational budgets, and food or retail cost controls.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong computer skills, including comfort with scheduling platforms, POS systems, payroll/timeclock systems, spreadsheets, email, and operational software.
• Ability to manage teams and multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Hands-on leadership style with strong floor presence and attention to detail.
• Passion for hospitality, food, wine, restaurants, and specialty retail.
• ServSafe certification preferred (or willingness to obtain).

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401k with Employer Match
• Employee discount in all areas of the business, including wholesale pricing on wine, beer, and spirits.
• Access to classes, tastings, and additional educational opportunities.
• Paid time off
• Opportunities for growth within a well-established Minneapolis hospitality business

If this role sounds like a fit for you, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the position.