General Manager

We’re looking for motivated, engaged people to help make everyone’s journeys better.

Manages and directs the operation of the airline catering unit or “flight kitchen” with gross revenues of $2M to $17M+ and direct and indirect headcount of 30 to 150+ employees.

Annual Hiring Range:
•    $115,000-$120,000/Per Year
•    This position is eligible for incentive pay of 20% of the base salary, dependent upon successful attainment of company, team, and individual goals. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads and manages exempt staff of all Departments in the Airline Catering unit. This includes but not limited to: Food production, Transportation, Equipment Processing, Storeroom Department, Dish-room/Porters, Quality Assurance, and related departments to ensure production standards and customer service requirements are met.
• Ensures Customer requirements/specifications and service requirements are complied with on all airline accounts. This includes production processing, on-time performance, equipment inventory, and quality assurance controls.
• Drives to meet business objectives and goals set by superior related to food costs, labor costs, sanitation, quality assurance, market track goals, airline goals and objectives, and all other specific goals set thereof.
• Ensures that all HACCP, FDA, Local Airport, Quality Assurance, and Airline Specifications are maintained at the highest level.

• Monitors all menu cycles to ensure customer service and satisfaction is not interrupted. Ensures that proper equipment is maintained and controlled in the Unit for operation excellence.

• Manages operation staff on a day-to-day operation aspect to drive for exceeding set targets.
• Supports and assist Lean initiatives, and Quality initiatives to achieve OPEX targets.
• Monitors all training programs that are required to be conducted to ensure all Corporate Policies and Procedures are followed and maintained.
• Monitors employee relations in each Department, and ensures compliance with the National Master and Local Addendum labor agreements are maintained in the Departments.
• Supports customer audits, government audits to meet compliance
• Responsible for annual performance evaluations of direct reports in compliance with corporate initiatives.

• Maintains customer communication with all local and corporate airline representatives to ensure all request, investigations, and/or related are concluded to the satisfaction of the customer and company.
• Assists the Regional MD on projects, investigations, training, corporate goals and objectives, and airline requests.
• Completes all administrative reports in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ensures the security of the facility by monitoring and maintaining existing programs including all TSA, local airport and corporate requirements.
• Drives prevention vs. detection of defects.
• Coordinates actions to prevent the occurrences of nonconformities.
• Maintains customer compliance resolution.
• Responsible for the maintenance of key performance metrics for the Operation organization.
• Verifies and insures company policies and procedures are followed.
• Insures quality specifications and requirements are followed and met.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures.
• Responsible for safety, quality and compliance to customer specification.
• Completes all company required training including but not limited to ServSafe Sanitation Manager Certification.

Qualifications

Education:

• Associate or Bachelor degree in business administration or related field preferred

Work Experience:

Successful track record as a Manager or Assistant Manager in airline catering required. 10+ years of experience in in-flight catering or food manufacturing environment required. Demonstrated experience with managing financials with budget responsibility required. Demonstrated knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and/or six sigma and continuous improvement methodologies preferred. Proven experience successfully managing a team of supervisors and managers required. Previous customer service and/or account management experience required. Strong track record of innovation and making changes to the operation to further improve the work environment and unit performance Labor relations experience is required.

Technical Skills: (Certification, Licenses and Registration)

Candidate should be comfortable with all levels of employees and have the ability to drive positive program change. Must be a Team builder with the ability to lead and motivate a diverse management and hourly staff. Must have strong and effective leadership skills Excellent problem solving skills, planning and scheduling capabilities managing multiple account requirements Ability to effectively manage the operation while maintaining compliance in a heavy regulated environment e.g. FDA, HACCP and security. Advanced Microsoft office tool skills (excel, word). Knowledge of quality auditing, inspection methods. Detail oriented and excellent project management skills. Strong organizational skills, able to prioritize responsibilities and multi-task. Change Agent. Able to obtain an AOA badge and customs seal.

Language / Communication Skills:

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with multiple departments and customers Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Job Dimensions

Geographic Responsibility: Unit

Type of Employment: Full-time

Travel %: Up to 25% as required to attend management or leadership meetings

Exemption Classification: Exempt

Internal Relationships: Employees at all levels of the organization

External Relationships: Customers and Vendors

Work Environment / Requirements of the Job:

Regularly, stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during shifts of 10+ hours. In a normal production kitchen facility there may be physical discomfort due to temperature and noise. Must be able to lift, push, pull and move product, equipment, supplies, etc., in excess of twenty-five (25) pounds. A rotating schedule of 55+ hours per week is typical.

Budget / Revenue Responsibility: (Local Currency)

Organization Structure

Direct Line Manager (Title): Dir, Business Unit

Dotted Line Manager (Title, if applicable):  n/a

Number of Direct Reports: varies by unit: 10+

Number of Dotted Line Reports: 30-150+

Estimated Total Size of Team: varies by unit size (up to 150+)

gategroup Competencies Required to be Successful in the Job:

• Thinking – Information Search and analysis & problem resolution skills
• Engaging – Understanding others, Team Leadership and Developing People
• Inspiring – Influencing and building relationships, Motivating and Inspiring, Communicating effectively
• Achieving – Delivering business results under pressure, Championing Performance Improvement and Customer Focus

Demonstrated Values to be Successful in the Position

Employees at gategroup are expected to live our Values of Excellence, Integrity, Passion and Accountability. To demonstrate these Values, we expect to observe the following from everyone:

• We treat each other with respect and we act with integrity
• We communicate and keep each other informed
• We put our heads together to problem solve and deliver excellence as a team
• We have passion for our work and we pay attention to the little details
• We foster an environment of accountability, take responsibility for our actions and learn from our mistakes
• We do what we say we will do, when we say we are going to do it
• We care about our coworkers, always taking an opportunity to make someone’s day better

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required.  Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.  In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

gategroup is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status or other category under applicable law.

For further information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, copy and paste the following URL into your web browser: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

We anticipate that this job will close on:

03/28/2025For California Residents, please click here to view our California privacy notice.

If you want to be part of a team that helps make travel and culinary memories, join us!