Director of Food Operations

SSA Group at Cincinnati Zoo is looking for a talented Director of Food Operations to join our team!

SSA: Built by family for families, SSA activates the moments between the experiences.

Director of Food Operations

Are YOU the perfect addition to our team? We are looking for the following traits:

• Goal-oriented and flexible to meet the needs of the operation.
• Demonstrates desire to help the team succeed.
• Driven by cultural attractions and the environment they support.
• Experience managing in a high-volume, quick-service, or full-service restaurant.
• Basic culinary experience preferred (but training offered); with ability to navigate multiple menu items and support food quality, presentation, and service to the standard of service per location.
• Experience managing in a high-volume catering, fine-dining catering, and/or equivalent banquet events.
• Leads team through active coaching and upholding the standard of service as necessary to the success of the operation.
• Comfortable with managing an employee life-cycle, from hire to retire.
• Operational oversight of full Food Service program on location - inclusive of quick-service restaurants, carts, kiosks, & food truck (where applicable) locations.
• Works directly with Executive Chef and/or General Manager onsite in mapping out Food Service programs.
• Knowledge of food safety standards, quality, and presentation.
• ServSafe or Food Handling Certification a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate to our client, General Manager, and HQ personnel.
• Proven leadership skills with an understanding of the importance of team building/development, while fostering partnerships.
• Demonstrates financial management, merchandising, analytical, planning, and leadership skills.
• Computer knowledge and skill level for basic office functions.
• Exceptional problem solving/decision making skills combined with the ability to be organized.
• Individual who brings excitement and opportunity to engage with the team and guests.
• Responsibly geared towards presenting a clean and welcome experience for guests through upholding sanitation requirements.

Limited positions available, PPE (face mask, gloves, apron) will be required for all shifts, Job duties will require individual to lift up to 15-35lbs and be on feet for long periods of time, please discuss with interviewing manager if accommodation is needed

Compensation and Benefits

• Full-Time
• Salary – based on range in consideration of relevant job experience and certification/education
• Vacation or TAFW (time away from work) Plan – we want our team to take time as they need, so don’t accrue hours but rather give you freedom to schedule within scope of the business and your needs
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance; employee premiums applicable
• Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability, employer sponsored; scaled-salary pay following submission and approval of leave
• Birthing Parent Plan covers up to (6-8) weeks fully paid leave, based on birthing event
• (4) Week fully paid Parental leave following birth, adoption or foster event, can be coupled with Birthing Parent Plan to extend above timeline
• 401k program, eligible for enrollment after (1) year of employment during January or June open enrollment periods, company is not matching at this time
• $75 monthly cell phone stipend

Please inquire for full job description

How to Apply:

Complete online application with information requested directly through this link; Resume is required, Cover Letter not required but encouraged; should you wish to submit your application directly through email, you may reach out to People Department with the subject line: Application for Position.

SSA Group, LLC. is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity through our commitment to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.

SSA Group, LLC. is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and equal opportunity through our commitment to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. 

Apply today!  

Who are we: 

SSA Group works with zoos, aquariums, museums, and other cultural attractions on integrating dining, retail, admissions and more. We increase revenue opportunities for partners across the United States. With 50 years in the business, SSA has refined the basics while pioneering better ways forward. With pillars of focus like sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, SSA is transforming the cultural attraction industry. 

SSA was built by families, for families, with a family’s sense of love and dedication. We don’t just rely on the best practices in our industry, we customize best practices for each partner to set the bar higher and higher, always. We do all we can to further the mission of our partners because their guests and the communities they serve, deserve it. 

This job opportunity is classified as a medium exposure risk job: include those that require frequent and/or close contact with (i.e., within 6 feet of) people who may be infected with SARS-CoV-2, but who are not known or suspected COVID-19 patients. In areas without ongoing community transmission, workers in this risk group may have frequent contact with travelers who may return from international locations with widespread COVID-19 transmission. In areas where there is ongoing community transmission, workers in this category may have contact with the general public (e.g., schools, high-population-density work environments, some high-volume retail settings). Workers must comply with location specific vaccination and testing requirements. 

All California Residents: By clicking the "APPLY NOW" button and submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the SSA Group California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Candidate and Employee Privacy Notice ("Notice"). The English Notice is linked here, and the Spanish Notice is linked here.  

San Francisco Residents: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Please see the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document linked here for more information. By clicking the "APPLY NOW" button and submitting your job application, you agree you have reviewed the "Fair Chance Ordinance - Know Your Rights" document. 

Salary range is $65,000.00-$70,000.00, commensurate with education and experience.

Salary : $75 - $65,000