General Manager - Airline Catering Operations

We're looking for motivated, engaged people to help make everyone's journeys better.The General Manager (GM) is responsible for leading all aspects of a single airline catering unit, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient operations while delivering exceptional customer service and achieving financial and operational targets. This role drives day-to-day execution, people leadership, and continuous improvement in alignment with gategroup's standards and strategic priorities.Scope: $80 Million + in revenue, 10+ Airline customers, 400+ FTEsAnnual Hiring Range/Hourly Rate:$165K - $175K Per YearThis position is eligible for incentive pay of 20% of the annual base salary, dependent upon successful attainment of company, team, and individual goals.BenefitsPaid time off401k, with company matchCompany sponsored life insuranceMedical, dental, vision plansVoluntary short-term/long-term disability insuranceVoluntary life, accident, and hospital plansEmployee Assistance ProgramEmployee DiscountsMain Duties and Key Responsibilities:Operational Leadership & ExecutionLead daily operations across all departments including food production, transportation, equipment processing, warehousing, and quality assurance.Ensure consistent delivery of customer specifications, on-time performance, and service excellence across all airline accounts.Monitor and drive performance against key operational KPIs including labor productivity, food cost, waste, and quality.Implement and sustain SOPs, Lean initiatives, and continuous improvement practices within the unit.People & Culture LeadershipLead, coach, and develop department managers and frontline teams to drive accountability and high performance.Foster a safety-first, inclusive, and high-engagement culture aligned with company values.Support hiring, training, and succession planning to build a strong leadership pipeline.Ensure compliance with labor agreements and maintain positive employee relations.Safety, Quality & ComplianceEnsure full compliance with HACCP, FDA, TSA, OSHA, airline specifications, and company quality standards.Maintain audit readiness and successfully support customer, regulatory, and internal audits.Drive proactive risk management, defect prevention, and corrective/preventive actions.Customer & Stakeholder ManagementMaintain strong day-to-day relationships with airline customers and local stakeholders.Ensure rapid issue resolution, clear communication, and high levels of customer satisfaction.Partner with commercial, culinary, and support functions to deliver service excellence and support business needs.Financial & Business PerformanceOwn unit-level financial performance, including labor and food cost control, productivity, and budget adherence.Monitor financial and operational KPIs, identifying gaps and implementing corrective actions.Support forecasting, reporting, and cost improvement initiatives.Continuous Improvement & ExecutionDrive Lean/OPEX initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance operational performance.Support implementation of operational systems, tools, and standard processes (e.g., GPS).Contribute to local execution of ESG initiatives (waste reduction, energy efficiency, etc.).Balance time across people leadership, operational execution, and customer focus in line with business prioritiesKey Success MetricsSafety & Compliance: OSHA rates, ramp safety performance, food safety performance, audit resultsCustomer: Safety, on-time performance (OTP), service quality, customer satisfactionFinancial: Labor cost, food cost, productivity, budget adherencePeople: Retention, engagement, training completion, team performanceOperations: Waste reduction, efficiency, adherence to SOPsQualificationsProven leadership experience in high-volume operations (airline catering, food manufacturing, logistics, or similar).Strong operational and financial management skills.Knowledge of food safety and regulatory requirements (HACCP, FDA, etc.).Experience managing diverse teams in a fast-paced, unionized environment preferred.Continuous improvement (Lean/OPEX) experience preferred.Education:Bachelor's Degree in business administration or a related field if preferredWork 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 performanceLabor 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 skillsExcellent problem solving skills, planning and scheduling capabilities managing multiple account requirementsAbility 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 sealLanguage / Communication Skills:Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with multiple departments and customersExcellent written and oral communication skills.Job DimensionsGeographic Responsibility: UnitType of Employment: Full-timeTravel %: Up to 25% as required to attend management or leadership team meetingsExemption Classification: ExemptInternal Relationships: Unit and leadership employeesExternal Relationships: 10+ Airline customers / VendorsWork Environment / Requirements of the Job:Regularly, stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during shifts of 10+ 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: $80 Million + in revenueOrganization StructureDirect Line Manager (Title): VP of Operations or Dir, Business UnitDotted Line Manager (Title, if applicable): NANumber of Direct Reports: 400+ FTEsNumber of Dotted Line Reports: Estimated Total Size of Team: Varies by unit 20+gategroup Competencies Required to be Successful in the Job:Thinking - Information Search and analysis & problem resolution skillsEngaging - Understanding others, Team Leadership and Developing PeopleInspiring - Influencing and building relationships, Motivating and Inspiring, Communicating effectivelyAchieving - Delivering business results under pressure, Championing Performance Improvement and Customer FocusDemonstrated Values to be Successful in the PositionEmployees 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 integrityWe communicate and keep each other informedWe put our heads together to problem solve and deliver excellence as a teamWe have passion for our work and we pay attention to the little detailsWe foster an environment of accountability, take responsibility for our actions and learn from our mistakesWe do what we say we will do, when we say we are going to do itWe care about our coworkers, always taking an opportunity to make someone's day betterThe 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: We anticipate that this job will close on:05/01/2026For 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!

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