Operations Manager (Lead a Region of 10 Shops)
About Pret A Manger: Building the US Future of a Beloved Global Brand
Pret US is at a defining moment. Backed by substantial investment and strategic commitment, we are not simply operating; we are transforming a beloved brand in the American market. With a newly established US Board and an entirely rebuilt senior leadership team, we are assembling exceptional talent to drive this ambitious vision forward.
This is an opportunity to join a winning team built on an ownership mindset, rapid learning, bias for action, and competitive drive. Our ideal candidates are resilient, flexible, comfortable with ambiguity, and data-driven. We are seeking leaders who thrive in dynamic, high-stakes environments and are energized by the challenge of building something remarkable.
As part of the Pret US team, you will work directly with seasoned leaders who understand turnarounds, scaling operations, and delivering results. If you are driven to exceed ambitious goals, make bold decisions, and build a brand that matters, this is where you belong.
Join us in writing the next chapter of Pret in America.
The Role
As an Operations Manager, you are responsible for leading 10 shop locations and the General Managers within them. You own regional performance end-to-end, ensuring strong financial results, operational excellence, and a consistently outstanding guest experience across all sites. You operate as the critical link between strategy and execution, translating company priorities into disciplined, high-performance operations on the ground.
This role requires a highly entrepreneurial leader, someone who thinks like an owner, proactively identifies opportunities, and takes decisive action to drive performance. You are expected to operate with autonomy, challenge the status quo, and continuously seek ways to improve the business, whether through people, process, or operational innovation. This is a highly visible leadership role with direct impact on growth, profitability, and talent development.
Key Responsibilities
Build and Develop High Performance Leadership
- Develop a strong internal succession pipeline across all levels of shop leadership
- Coach and elevate General Managers and Assistant General Managers to drive both capability and performance
- Identify and accelerate high-potential talent with a clear plan to unlock growth
- Develop a deep bench of future leaders to support rapid and scalable expansion
- Drive proactive hourly recruitment of high-potential internal and external talent
- Create a positive, high-energy, team-oriented environment across all locations
- Foster a healthy competitive spirit focused on winning together and sharing best practices
Operational Excellence at Scale
- Lead a disciplined results oriented culture focused on core KPIs
- Diagnose performance gaps using data, then take decisive timely action
- Drive consistent execution of Pret standards across all locations
- Coach teams in real-time to elevate hospitality, energy, and execution
- Maintain excellence in food quality, safety, cleanliness, and product availability
- Improve throughput, speed of service, and operational flow across locations
- Standardize best practices and scale what works across all shops
Deliver Financial Results
- Own and consistently meet or exceed regional P&L targets
- Drive top-line sales, labor productivity, and food cost management across shops
- Ensure strong production planning, forecasting, and operational efficiency across all locations
- Oversee forecasting, scheduling, and production planning across the region
- Optimize labor deployment based on demand patterns and business needs
Requirements
- 5+ years of multi-unit leadership experience in restaurants
- Proven track record of managing multiple locations (5–15+)
- Strong P&L ownership across a region or district
- Experience leading and developing General Managers
- Ability to drive performance in high-volume, fast-paced environments
- Ability to travel regularly between locations
- Available to work 50+ hours and a flexible schedule based on business needs
- NYC Food Handlers Card
- Led a team of greater than 20 employees
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects up to 50 pounds; bend, reach overhead, squat, kneel, and go up and down stairs as needed; safely maneuver through tight or compact spaces; operate restaurant equipment and handle tools such as tongs, pots, and pans with dexterity; work in environments ranging from hot to cold, including near open flames and occasional outdoor conditions; maintain close, distance, and peripheral vision; communicate continuously with team members; and work in a constant state of alertness while maintaining safe operations
Education
- Bachelor's degree Preferred
Benefits & Salary Range
- Competitive Salary + 30% Bonus Potential
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to suit you and your family's needs
- Paid Time Off
- Complimentary Pret
- 401K enrollment
- The pay range for this role is $105,000 - $115,000. Compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, certifications, and the specific work location of New York, New York, United States. In addition, you will be eligible for a discretionary bonus if you are an active employee as of fiscal year-end.
