Director of Operations

Job Description

Director of Operations
Our client in Baltimore, MD, has an immediate opening for a Director of Operations on a direct-hire basis.

Company Profile:
Specialty Grocery Retailer
Team Atmosphere and Environment
Passion for Food and People

Director of Operations:
Lead the future of a premier, high-volume gourmet grocery operation in Baltimore. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished multi-unit retail leader to drive sales, elevate customer experience, strengthen store operations, and develop high-performing teams across two upscale grocery locations.
If you thrive in a fast-paced food retail environment, know how to turn operational excellence into profitable growth, and are passionate about delivering an exceptional customer experience, this leadership role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact.
The Operations Director partners closely with ownership to set strategy and lead all aspects of operations for gourmet grocery retail stores. This hands-on, results-driven leader will oversee Store Managers and support the performance and development of department leadership teams.
This role is ideal for a strategic retail operations professional with deep grocery experience, strong financial acumen, proven merchandising instincts, and a track record of improving sales, service, profitability, and team performance.
Lead day-to-day operations for upscale gourmet grocery stores, ensuring exceptional execution across sales, service, quality, safety, merchandising, and profitability.
Partner with ownership to develop and implement strategic initiatives that improve store performance, customer satisfaction, and long-term business growth.
Coach, develop, and hold accountable Store Managers and their department leadership teams.
Drive revenue growth through innovative merchandising, local market awareness, business development, and outstanding in-store execution.
Own operational standards related to labor, cost control, shrink, inventory, product quality, customer service, safety, and delivery operations.
Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and profit-and-loss performance management.
Identify performance trends, uncover operational opportunities, and implement practical solutions that improve results.
Create and maintain consistent processes, policies, and best practices across both store locations.
Champion a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, teamwork, inclusion, and service excellence.
Partner with business leaders on staffing, training, employee development, succession planning, employee relations, and legal compliance.
Resolve complex operational, employee, and customer concerns with sound judgment, urgency, professionalism, and discretion.
Build an environment of open communication, trust, and high expectations for all team members.
Lead improvement initiatives that create consistently memorable, high-touch customer experience.
Perform additional leadership responsibilities as needed to support business goals.

Director of Operations Background Profile:
5+ years of progressive leadership experience in multi-unit grocery, specialty retail, food retail, or a comparable high-service retail environment.
Proven success managing store operations, sales performance, employee development, and profitability across multiple locations.
Experience in upscale grocery, gourmet food, specialty food, fresh food, premium retail, or high-end merchandising environments is strongly preferred.
Strong working knowledge of profit and loss statements, budgeting, forecasting, labor management, inventory, shrink, and financial reporting.
A demonstrated ability to develop and execute successful merchandising, sales growth, and business development strategies.
Outstanding leadership skills with the ability to inspire, coach, challenge, and develop managers and frontline teams.
Strong business judgment, critical thinking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making abilities.
A customer-first mindset and a passion for delivering exceptional service at every touchpoint.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build credibility at every level of the organization.
High level of professionalism, discretion, confidentiality, and accountability.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard business systems.

Features and Benefits:
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Life insurance
Flexible spending account
Paid time off
Employee assistance program
Employee discount
Growth-focused leadership opportunity in a dynamic gourmet retail environment

Job Requirements

Director of Retail Operations, Operations Director, Regional Manager, District Manager


Additional Information

Frontline Source Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. The client cannot sponsor any visas.

Disclaimer: Sensitive and personal data will not be requested by Frontline Source Group or its affiliates until a job offer is made and accepted. If you ever doubt the validity of our job postings, we encourage you to call one of our branch locations to verify the status on any job.

Meet Your Recruiter

Mike Cook

Mike Cook or as he is known in the industry "Grocery Store Mike", is a specialized grocery retail recruiter for Frontline Source Group. With more than 35+ years in the grocery retail industry, Mike started as a part-time courtesy clerk. He worked his way up to serve in-store leadership positions with both traditional and specialty food formats. His expertise lies in hiring, training, and developing company leaders for small supermarkets to large grocery store operations with hundreds of locations. This experience is what differentiates his ability to recruit top Grocery talent from other recruiters in the market place.

Throughout his career, Mike has placed an emphasis on professional development and continuing education. He was in the charter class of Brookshire University, graduating as salutatorian. He also has earned certificates of proficiency in management specialized leadership and retail management from Tyler Junior College. The later certification was in collaboration with the Western Association of Food Chains. And, he has received numerous awards and accolades for customer service and leadership.

Mike has a passion for community service, having served as a board member for the Bear Creek Specialty Utility District (formerly Lavon Water Supply Corporation) from 2007-2013; Community Independent School District board trustee from 2013-2017; and currently serves as Lavon City Councilman, Place 2 since 2017.

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All interviews are set by appointment only and we do not allow walk-ins at any location. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/V/D. Candidates must have authorization to work in the U.S. Clients will not sponsor visas.