DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Compass Group, North America - Rahway, NJ
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Compass Corporate Salary: $80000 to $95000 Other Forms of Compensation: Pay Grade: [[payGrade_obj]] A family of companies and experiences As the leading foodservice and support services company, Compass Group USA is known for our great people, great service and our great results. If youu2019ve been hungry and away from home, chances are youu2019ve tasted Compass Groupu2019s delicious food and experienced our outstanding service. We have over 284,000 US associates who work in award-winning restaurants, corporate cafes, hospitals, schools, arenas, museums, and more in all 50 states. Our reach is constantly expanding to shape the industry and create new opportunities for innovation. Join the Compass family today great people. great services. great results. Each and every individual plays a key role in the growth and legacy of our company. We know the next big idea can come from anyone. We encourage developing and attracting expertise that differentiates us as a company as we continue to raise the bar. Job Summary The Director, Operational Excellence drives operational excellence across all FLIK-managed Merck locations, ensuring compliance with Merck, Compass Group, and FLIK requirements. This role develops strategies for brand standards, self-evaluation, third-party evaluations, training, and continuous improvement. Reporting to the Vice President of Experience & Operational Excellence, the Director partners with unit operations, culinary, marketing, and executive client stakeholders to optimize performance, streamline processes, and uphold service standards. Key Responsibilities u2022 Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive operational excellence program across all Merck campuses. u2022 Enhance divisional standards, protocols, and service training to drive client retention and customer satisfaction through a tailored Merck u201cplaybook.u201d u2022 Conduct operational reviews and self-assessments to analyze business trends and identify improvement opportunities across cafu00e9, catering, and conference operations. u2022 Serve as the liaison between FLIK Hospitality and Merck client leadership, providing transparency and proactive updates. u2022 Deliver ongoing training for management and frontline associates on operational excellence, platinum service, and operational areas including marketing, purchasing, culinary, finance, and HR. u2022 Reinforce daily operational standards through pre-shift meetings, spot checks, and coaching. u2022 Lead quarterly site-level reviews aligned with KPI reporting and SLA requirements. u2022 Partner with site leadership to proactively drive excellence, reduce gaps to standards, and improve KPIs. u2022 Communicate gaps to standards, action plans, and training to stakeholders and senior leadership. u2022 Guide stakeholders in developing division-specific operational standards informed by review insights and best practices. u2022 Support action plan submission and completion, ensuring effective resolution of gaps. u2022 Prepare and present regular performance reports, improvement plans, and insights to client leadership. u2022 Support KPI documentation, audit results, and compliance reports within the SLA framework. u2022 Liaise with the synK experience team and operational excellence team to implement Merck culture, leading practices, and training opportunities. u2022 Monitor and analyze review results to identify trends and opportunities. u2022 Support other quality assurance initiatives including food safety, HACCP, risk mitigation, and workplace safety as needed. Additional Responsibilities u2022 Fulfill any other assigned duties as needed. Preferred Qualifications u2022 Associateu2019s or Bachelor's Degree in food-service, culinary arts, hospitality, or related field. u2022 Minimum five yearsu2019 experience in multi-site foodservice or corporate dining management; hospitality management and quality assurance background preferred. u2022 Exceptional communication skills to share customer insights and drive performance improvement. u2022 Adaptability to new/evolving technologies. u2022 Ability to thrive in complex, fast-paced environments. u2022 Strong relationship-building skills. u2022 Self-driven mindset with ability to manage multiple workstreams. u2022 Project management skills: timeline management, prioritization, and simultaneous deliverables. u2022 High attention to detail and quality. u2022 Strong coaching, training, and development skills. u2022 Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, iOS, and data analysis programs. u2022 ServSafe Manager Certification. u2022 Ability to travel up to 50%. This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer. Apply to Compass Group today Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story ( Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angelesu2019 Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply. Compass Corporate maintains a drug-free workplace. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Associates at Corporate are offered many fantastic benefits. + Medical + Dental + Vision + Life Insurance/ AD + Disability Insurance + Retirement Plan + Paid Time Off + Paid Parental Leave + Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state) + Personal Leave + Associate Shopping Program + Health and Wellness Programs + Discount Marketplace + Identity Theft Protection + Pet Insurance + Commuter Benefits + Employee Assistance Program + Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here ( or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information. Req ID: 1487999 Compass Corporate Shane Tirpak [[req_classification]]
Created: 2026-01-16