Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer | Food Service Management | Midwest

RHH202619

Harvey Hohauser & Associates has been retained to find the next Chief Operating Officer for a leading food service management company in the Midwest.

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a high-performing, relationship-driven organization as it enters its next phase of growth. Our client needs an accomplished food service executive who can build a more scalable, disciplined enterprise while preserving the entrepreneurial culture and exceptional customer relationships that have fueled the company's success.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the CEO with six direct reports, the COO will own operational excellence, financial performance, customer retention, and leadership development across all markets and locations. This leader will translate strategy into action, build scalable systems and processes, and raise the bar on accountability, all without sacrificing the agility and culinary quality that set this organization apart.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO and executive team to turn enterprise strategy into operational results
• Lead all multi-site operations and ensure a consistent, high-quality customer and guest experience
• Build a scalable operating model that strengthens accountability and standardizes best practices
• Drive P&L performance, labor and food cost management, and enterprise-wide metrics
• Champion customer retention and executive-level relationship management
• Partner with culinary, procurement, and supply chain leadership on quality and compliance
• Lead the evaluation, mobilization, and integration of new business
• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing operations leadership team

What You Bring

• 20+ years of progressive leadership experience in contract food service, hospitality, dining services, or a closely related business
• Full P&L accountability with strong command of budgeting, forecasting, and margin improvement
• A track record of leading complex organizations through growth, standardization, or transformation
• Experience with food service technology including POS, ERP, scheduling, and BI platforms
• Experience in K-12, higher education, corporate dining, or institutional food service strongly preferred
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or relevant certifications preferred
• Willingness to travel regularly to locations and customer sites

If you are a low-ego, field-oriented leader who builds trust through visibility and follow-through, we want to hear from you.