Director of Operations and Business Growth - Global Energy America's

Job Description

The Director of Operations & Business Growth will lead the Global Energy business in the Americas region, with a particular focus on business growth, operations, client retention strategies and profit improvement strategies ensuring excellence safety leadership, operational excellence, people management, client relationships, service delivery and compliance with Global Energy and Aramark brand standards, to achieve customer advocacy and acquisition of new customers, and retention of existing customers

This role will report directly to the Aramark Global Energy Managing Director and will manage a dedicated team to deliver a best-in-class customer experience across all clients and sites within the Americas and associated geographical areas.

The role will act as a key point of contact with the Client and requires a credible, dynamic, and commercial individual to join the Global Energy business and assume responsibility for creating, shaping, leading the business development and sales strategy, securing competitive advantage for Aramark and developing the region. 

Job Responsibilities

Account strategy and planning

• Provide strategic direction and thought leadership to the client team and ensure that the Aramark team is consistently delivering best in class safety standards, service and customer solutions.
• Lead planning sessions and development of the Account.
• Identify opportunities for account growth.
• Lead the development of business wide initiatives including contract renewal strategy and contract management with a view to further expansion.
• Develop account plans that align with Aramark and the Client's objectives and define agreeable KPIs.

Client Relationship management

• Serve as the primary contact for the Client ensuring strong relationships and long-term satisfaction, leading client reviews quarterly/annually.
• Facilitating and supporting new business / retention activities.
• Leading appropriate contract negotiations, to achieve contract optimization (New business / retentions / scope changes).
• Identifying & unlocking opportunities for growth and diversification into remote sites onshore and offshore
• Developing strategic plans & value propositions.
• Benchmarking best practice internally & externally.
• Understand Client goals, challenge and provide strategic recommendations.
• Oversee all Client communications, presentations and reporting to ensure clarity and value.
• Ensure our teams deliver a fantastic service to the client and their customers through comprehensive standards of excellence and brilliant execution.

Job Responsibilities

Budget and performance management

• Oversee account budgets and profitability ensuring proper resource allocation and cost control.
• Track and report on performance metrics, ROI, and deliverables against Client expectations.
• Deliver on financial commitments which include Revenue and Margin targets.
• Ensure performance against business KPIs are fully leveraged and maximized.
• Review performance metrics in conjunction with the management team to evaluate delivery of service and contractual obligations.

People Strategy

• Manage a team dedicated to our client contracts and be responsible for nurturing and growing a team of talented individuals.
• To contribute to the development of our group strategy. Provide strategic leadership and expertise to the division empowering employees to ensure the most effective teams are currently in place with objectives and targets being achieved.
• Ensure collaboration with other group functions to support group strategy and key business objectives.
• Strive to maintain a positive and ethical work climate that is conducive to attracting, retaining, and motivating a diverse group of quality colleagues at all levels.
• The ability to motivate and lead a team to achieve impressive results, agreed targets, and develop teams and successors.

Job Responsibilities (Cont.)

Safety Operational Excellence & Budget Management:

• Oversee the logistics and operational execution ensuring seamless integration across departments and compliance with health and safety standards.
• Direct the financial planning, budget allocation, and resource management with a focus on maximizing return on investment while maintaining exceptional quality.
• Demonstrated operational depth, including hands-on experience with labor optimization, food cost control, and menu engineering. Proven ability to walk the floor, lead operational teams, and implement best practices that drive efficiency and profitability.
• To be able to fully interrogate, analyze and solution challenges in the P&L that affect both or either party detrimentally and suggest positive change options.
• Lead the operational team by example in the consistent delivery of performance in the sector, demonstrating co-operational processes are efficient, cost-effective, and scalable, supporting long-term business sustainability.
• Be committed to our values and objectives and work those in alignment with the clients.
• Driving safety performance & productivity in accordance with regulatory and statutory obligations, championing and ensuring compliance with all Health and Safety, security and environmental standards and policies.
• Promoting a culture of continuous improvement by reviewing and analyzing reports from company systems.
• Sharing information and collaboration with colleagues/stakeholders to benefit the organization and deliver the global energy strategy in the Americas.
• Promote external collaboration & best practice to improve performance and industry knowledge.
• Execute changes to scope as per contract Delivering Purchasing Compliance and managing non-compliance issues / requests.
• Manage the implementation of Purchasing & Marketing strategies.
• Ensure systems compliance: payroll, food production, purchasing.
• Ensure completion and appropriate authorization of Opening / Change / Closure forms, Pay Increases & Awards, and Equipment Orders

• Project Management of Design & Build, and Mobilization activities.

• Oversee and lead the supply chain delivery plan in the Americas and associated areas, align supply chain activities to the culinary strategy for global energy within the Americas region
• Drive cost efficiencies, rebate and volume discount performance and drive innovation in the culinary offer and service offer using supply chain partnerships and client feedback
• Deliver the ESG strategy for the Americas and associated areas.
• Align the Americas business to the UK culinary and food platform strategy and deliver locally
• Drive the delivery of the Global Energy brand into front line operations and ensure that opx and culinary technology developments are implemented effectively in the Americas business.
• Drive the delivery of reductions in waste, carbon emissions and ensure regulatory compliance is maintained and service excellence delivered 
• Ensure full compliance with all required statutory and legislative standards & internal policies & procedures.
• Complete the OBW Operational audits, including offshore visits and ensure corrective action within required timelines.
• Ensure compliance with Corporate Responsibility and Quality Assurance systems and policies.
• Develop and maintain disaster recovery and contingency plans

Job Responsibilities (Cont.)

Marketing & Brand Strategy:

• Collaborate with the marketing and communications teams to develop and execute strategies that promote Aramark and Global Energy across digital and traditional channels.
• Work closely with marketing and culinary functions to implement brand initiatives that amplify Aramark’s image and position it as a leader in food and hospitality.
• Strong commercial marketing acumen. Experience in concept development and delivery to align with brand and customer expectations.
• Focus on delivering consistent, high-quality service across diverse locations. Emphasis on everyday operational and safety excellence, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience.
• Collaborate with the Marketing team to develop and implement innovative marketing initiatives in line with the customer and Aramark brand.
• Understand the Market in which our clients and competitors operates and offer clear, workable solutions that aim to improve the experience.

Safety & Risk Management:

• Ensure all sites complies with the highest safety standards, establishing comprehensive risk management protocol.
• Provide oversight of insurance policies, emergency procedures, and compliance with local regulations.

Essential criteria

• Proven track record in food or hospitality sectors.
• Preferable experience in an offshore/energy environment
• Required certification to be able to travel and work offshore
• Demonstrated operational depth, including hands-on experience with labor optimization, food cost control, and menu engineering. Proven ability to walk the floor, lead operational teams, and implement best practices that drive efficiency and profitability.
• Growth determined individual
• Strong commercial marketing acumen. Experience in concept development and delivery to align with brand and customer expectations.
• Focus on delivering consistent, high-quality service across diverse locations. Emphasis on everyday operational excellence, ensuring a seamless and engaging experience.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to manage key stakeholders and high-profile clients.
• Established and demonstrable experience of driving innovation and growth.
• Extensive experience in managing large diverse teams and personalities and developing talent.
• Strong financial acumen, with expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and optimizing programmed performance.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into action.
• Powerful sense of resilience in a fast-paced marketplace.
• Manage change through direct engagement with team and stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment.
• Successfully worked at Multi Client, Operations, building and maintain client relationships.
• Proven history of managing P&L, volume of at least $500-1million revenue pa, strong financial and accounting experience.
• Operating at Account Director level or equivalent in food service or retail
• Experience of working within a matrix designed organization.

Key working relationships

• Managing Director Global Energy.
• Key members of the Global Energy Leadership on a number of different levels
• HR Business Partner
• Finance Director
• Operations Managers
• Camp Boss/Chef Managers

About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.