Manager Operations - Airline Catering

Job Title:  Manager Operations - Airline Catering 
Job Location:  Pittsburgh-USA-15231 
Work Location Type:  On-Site 
Salary Range:  $72,014.00 - 90,017.00

About us

Since 1942, SkyChefs has taken culinary excellence to new heights. As a trusted partner to the nation’s leading airlines and retailers, we proudly deliver millions of meals and exceptional service experiences every year across 43 sites throughout the United States. Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are committed to setting the industry standard in aviation culinary, airline services, last-mile logistics, and retail commerce. From the kitchen to the runway, our teams work together to deliver quality, reliability, and service at every altitude. Our people are the heart of everything we do. At SkyChefs, a career is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to grow, lead, and make an impact in a fast-paced, team-driven environment. Join America’s first, foremost, and finest and take your career to new heights.

Role Purpose Statement

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading multiple operational departments within our Pittsburgh facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality execution while consistently meeting customer expectations. This leader oversees a team of frontline supervisors and has indirect responsibility for a large hourly workforce, driving operational performance through strong leadership, accountability, coaching, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, people-focused leader who thrives in fast-paced, high-volume environments. They excel at developing leaders, building engaged teams, solving complex operational challenges, and creating a culture of accountability, safety, and operational excellence. This role requires the ability to balance strategic priorities with day-to-day execution while delivering results across productivity, quality, service, and cost performance.

Work Location- Near Pittsburgh International Airport

Work Type- Onsite

Main Accountabilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead multiple operational departments to achieve performance goals related to safety, quality, productivity, service, and cost.
• Execute daily operational plans while ensuring resources are aligned to meet customer demand and business objectives.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify trends, address performance gaps, and drive sustainable improvements.
• Ensure operational readiness through effective workforce planning, scheduling, inventory management, and equipment utilization.
• Drive on-time, accurate production and service delivery while maintaining exceptional customer satisfaction.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action plans to resolve operational, quality, and service issues.
• Partner cross-functionally with Production, Quality, Logistics, Transportation, HR, and Customer Service teams to optimize operational performance.
• Maintain compliance with all company policies, customer requirements, FDA, HACCP, safety, health, and environmental regulations.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of frontline supervisors, ensuring consistent execution and leadership effectiveness across departments.
• Foster a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations, measuring results, providing feedback, and addressing performance concerns in a timely manner.
• Build leadership capability through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and employee development initiatives.
• Drive employee engagement by promoting open communication, recognition, and a positive work environment.
• Partner with Human Resources on talent acquisition, employee relations, performance management, and workforce planning activities.
• Ensure departments are appropriately staffed and equipped to meet operational demands while controlling labor costs.

Continuous Improvement & Business Performance

• • Champion Lean, continuous improvement, and operational excellence initiatives that improve productivity, quality, efficiency, and cost performance.
  • Identify opportunities to streamline processes, reduce waste, and improve resource utilization.
  • Manage departmental budgets and control labor, overtime, and operating expenses.
  • Utilize operational data and reporting to support decision-making and drive business results.
  • Lead change management efforts and drive adoption of new processes, technologies, and organizational initiatives.
  • Support annual business planning, budgeting, and strategic operational initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent leadership experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, food production, logistics, warehouse, distribution, aviation catering, or other high-volume operational environments.
• Experience leading multiple departments or business functions through frontline supervisors.
• Demonstrated success managing large teams, including indirect oversight of 100+ hourly employees.
• Proven ability to coach, develop, and hold leaders accountable for performance and results.
• Strong understanding of labor management, workforce planning, scheduling, and productivity improvement.
• Experience managing operational metrics related to safety, quality, service, labor, and cost.
• Proven track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives and operational efficiencies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and operational reporting systems.

Preferred

• Experience in food manufacturing, airline catering, production, distribution, or highly regulated operational environments.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement certification.
• Experience working in FDA, HACCP, GMP, or other regulated environments.
• Knowledge of labor relations and unionized work environments.
• Experience leading organizational change and large-scale operational improvement initiatives.

SkyChefs is an EEO and Affirmative Action Employer of Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.