Operating Partner

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: WB Operating Partner

Classification: Exempt

Supervisor: Area Operations Coach

Managerially Responsible For: Assistant Managers, Shift Leads, Team Members

Position Overview (Role):

The Operating Partner at Whataburger-Vibe Restaurants is responsible for directing and developing a strong team to achieve operational excellence in their restaurant. They report to the Area Coach and lead all aspects of the "Family Member" experience, including talent management, recruitment, training, and promotions. They also inspire the team to succeed, create action plans based on performance and financial goals, and ensure the restaurant is always clean, safe, and "ready for business".

Essential Job Functions:

1. Leadership & Team Development

• Leads by example and reinforces team behaviors consistent with the company's values
• Inspires and celebrates the team
• Provides leadership and mentoring, aligning the team around a common vision, and holding themselves and others accountable
• Facilitates discussions to ensure clear expectations and address underperforming areas
• Exercises independent judgment in daily operations to ensure efficient performance
• Identifies team members with potential for career progression
• Evaluates progress and provides daily feedback to the management team and team members

1. Operational Excellence & Customer Experience

• Trains and coaches Team Leaders and Managers to lead shifts and serve a quality experience to guests
• Teaches managers how to work as a High Performing Team using operational tools
• Monitors food safety practices to ensure all health and safety standards are met
• Coaches managers and team leaders on floor management and shift success
• Instills a customer-service mindset and reinforces the brand by engaging with customers and creating a welcoming environment
• Works with managers and the Area Operations Coach to execute operational plans using reporting, customer, and labor metrics

1. Hiring & Financial Management

• Leads recruiting, interviewing, and hiring to maintain appropriate staffing levels for high-performing teams
• Develops budgets, expense plans, and sales goals
• Manages profit and loss and oversees financial tasks like cash reporting and managing labor and food expenses

Accountabilities:

The Operating Partner is accountable for the in-restaurant Family Member experience and holds themselves and others accountable. They also create action plans based on performance data and financial goals.

Responsibilities:

• Lead by example to reinforce team behaviors consistent with Whataburger-Vibe Restaurants Values
• Provide leadership and mentoring to Family Members
• Facilitate discussions among Family Members and Managers
• Exercise a high level of independent judgment and discretion in managing daily restaurant operations
• Train and coach Team Leaders and Managers
• Lead recruiting, interviewing, and hiring
• Monitor food safety practices
• Develop the budget, expense plans, and sales goals
• Manage profit and loss

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Age: Must be at least 18 years of age
• Education & Experience:
• High school diploma/GED or equivalent work experience preferred
• 3-5 years of experience in the restaurant industry preferred
• Previous experience in a restaurant leadership position preferred
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) preferred

Job Specifications:

• Food Safety Certification (may vary based on city, county, and state requirements)
• Food Handler’s Certification
• Strong general knowledge of the organization and its function
• Financial Accountability – Skills necessary to manage and control food costs, labor costs and expenses so that financial goals are met
• Strong Organizational Skills
• Teamwork – Establishes and maintains open, collaborative relationships with employees and ensures employees do the same within the team
• Strong Leadership Skills – Serves as a role model for employees through teamwork support, attention to detail, quality control and interactions with Members, guests and team Members
• Experience in supervising and training staff, including safety training
• Ability to prioritize and organize work assignments, delegate work
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Identifies and solves real problems
• Works effectively with limited supervision
• Knowledge of Word and Excel; general knowledge of computer functions
• Thorough knowledge of catering, food preparation, planning, and presentation to perform analytical work, such as studying P&L reports, past sales experience records, etc. 

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Regularly required to stoop, kneel, crouch, talk and hear
• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms
• Occasionally required to climb or balance
• Employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• Able to withstand changes in temperature, occasional smoke, steam and heat and work in a confined area
• Must possess hearing, visual and sensory abilities to observe and detect emergency situations; also, to distinguish product, taste, texture, temperature and presentation and preparation

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The working conditions can be a very fast paced environment at times, mostly indoor work, but may include some outdoor events where climate will vary from extreme heat in summer to freezing in winter. May work with hot, cold, and hazardous equipment as well as operate phones, computers, fax machines, copiers and other office equipment. The noise level is moderate to loud. Hectic work environment with occasional periods of big workloads. May be required to work evenings, overnights, weekends and/or holidays.

DISCLAIMER:

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.