Director of Food Service

Director of Food Service | Joe Muggs — Books-A-Million About The Job The Director of Food Service leads the strategy, execution, and growth of the Joe Muggs café brand across Books-A-Million locations. This role owns the end-to-end café experience — menu development, operational standards, training, inventory, and margin management — while staying ahead of food and beverage trends relevant to the bookstore retail environment. The Director will spend significant time in stores, working directly with café teams and store leadership to elevate execution and drive sales growth. Role Summary The Director of Food Service owns the end-to-end Joe Muggs café experience, including menu development, operational standards, training, inventory, and margin management. Working across Store Operations, regional leadership, Marketing, Supply Chain/Purchasing, and Construction/Repair & Maintenance, this leader translates food and beverage trends and performance data into practical improvements that elevate execution, strengthen profitability, and drive sales growth. Role Responsibilities Menu & Product Development Create and manage the drink and perishable menu, balancing trend relevance, margin targets, and operational feasibility for a store-embedded café model Lead the evaluation and piloting of new products, seasonal offerings, and limited-time promotions Monitor food, beverage, and café industry trends and translate them into offerings suited to the bookstore customer base Standard Operating Procedures & Training Develop and maintain SOPs for café operations, food safety, and service standards Design and deliver training programs for café associates, including onboarding and ongoing skill development Lead district- and regional-level training sessions in market Inventory & Margin Management Own inventory management practices and vendor relationships for café products Build and maintain margin schedules; monitor and report on café-level profitability Partner with supply chain/purchasing on cost management and product sourcing Sales & Growth Set and drive sales growth strategies for Joe Muggs locations Analyze café performance data to identify underperforming locations and growth opportunities Partner with Store Operations and RVPs to align café execution with overall store performance goals Brand & Marketing Manage Joe Muggs social media presence and brand voice Ensure consistent brand standards across all café locations Partner with marketing on promotional campaigns and brand initiatives Field & Cross-Functional Support Travel regularly to café locations to assess execution, coach teams, and support operational needs Partner with Construction/Repair & Maintenance on café equipment upkeep and repair/maintenance scheduling Represent Joe Muggs at DM Weeks (twice annually) and quarterly business owner alignment meetings at the Birmingham corporate support center Role Qualifications Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business, Hospitality, Food Service Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience. 5 years of experience in food service, café, or restaurant operations, including multi-unit management. Experience with menu development, food cost and margin management, and vendor relations. Working knowledge of food safety and health code compliance across multiple states and jurisdictions. Strong training and facilitation skills, with the ability to lead group sessions and support associate development. Data-driven decision-making skills and the ability to translate performance metrics into action. Social media management experience for a brand or business unit. Valid driver’s license and clean driving record. Work Environment & Expectations This is a remote position while having the ability to travel up to 50%, including regular café visits, quarterly trips to Birmingham, Alabama, and biannual DM Week attendance. Success Metrics Comparable sales growth for Joe Muggs locations. Margin performance versus schedule. Training completion and execution scores across cafés. Brand standard compliance and audit scores. The Perks At Books-A-Million, we believe in taking care of our employees. As part of the team, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including: Competitive Compensation: We offer competitive pay and performance-based incentives. Health & Wellness: Medical, dental, and vision insurance to keep you healthy. Paid Time Off (PTO): Enjoy generous PTO and paid holidays. Employee Discounts: Get discounts on books and other products across our stores. Retirement Savings: Build your future with our 401(k) plan and company contributions. #J-18808-Ljbffr Books A Million