Head of Central Operations

Role Overview

Joe & The Juice is looking for a senior operations leader to build and run the central systems that support U.S. expansion. Based in New York, this position partners with the Managing Director and acts as the operational backbone for the market, helping the business scale with consistency, readiness, and strong guest experience.

The role has a broad remit across implementation, communications, labor planning, training, operational standards, new store openings, and channel sales support for delivery and catering. It is both strategic and execution-focused, with responsibility for creating the structure, tools, and processes needed for sustainable growth.

About the Company Culture

The company describes itself as a culture-led, people-first food and beverage brand. The environment is energetic and service-driven, with strong emphasis on personality, teamwork, and development. Its guiding principles are positive attitude, inclusion, social ties, and growth.

Team members are encouraged to learn on the job, build connections, and grow through a clear internal career path. The organization highlights that many of its leaders began their careers behind the bar and that it values progression from within.

Central Operations Strategy

In this role, you will shape the long-term Central Operations roadmap for the U.S. business and build the operational infrastructure needed for scale. You will create governance, processes, and support models that improve clarity and accountability across markets while connecting global standards to local execution.

Implementation and Communications

You will oversee the rollout of regional and global initiatives, ensuring stores and field leaders receive timely, clear, and consistent communication. The role also requires maintaining the U.S. operations calendar and creating rollout methods that improve adoption and readiness in the field.

Labor Strategy and Operational Planning

A major part of the position involves labor planning and workforce deployment in line with budget, productivity, and service goals. You will collaborate with Finance, HR, global labor management, and Operations to set targets, review labor performance, spot efficiency opportunities, and help ensure compliance with wage, break, scheduling, and other labor-related obligations.

Training Operations

You will lead regional training programs for team members, store managers, and field leaders. This includes adapting global training content for U.S. needs, building scalable onboarding and development programs, and monitoring results through metrics such as completion, speed to competency, retention, performance, and promotion readiness.

Operational Standards

The role is also responsible for ensuring service standards, workflows, audits, and operational routines are followed consistently across stores. You will help maintain playbooks, SOPs, checklists, reporting tools, and other central resources, while working with field leaders to make sure programs are practical and effective in day-to-day operations.

New Store Openings

You will lead the regional new store opening function so that sites launch on time, fully trained, and ready to operate. This includes coordination across Operations, Real Estate, Construction, Facilities, IT, Marketing, HR, and Training, as well as building repeatable opening playbooks, timelines, readiness standards, and support for growth initiatives such as drive-thrus and new market entry.

Channel Sales Support

The position supports growth in delivery, catering, and app-led channels through operational planning and execution. You will work with Brand, Finance, Commercial, and Operations teams on campaigns, pricing, product positioning, and platform relationships, while also improving program execution and guest experience through performance analysis.

Cross-Functional Leadership

This role serves as a central connector across field Operations, HR, Finance, Commercial, Procurement, Facilities, and Global teams. You will help ensure stores have the tools, communication, training, and resources they need, while encouraging knowledge-sharing, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. The role is part of the U.S. Leadership Team and contributes to regional strategy.

What You Need

The company is seeking a leader with deep experience in restaurant, hospitality, retail, or multi-unit operations. Ideal candidates have a background in central operations, operational excellence, training operations, new store openings, or similar support functions, and can turn global strategy into local execution.

Strong financial and operational judgment is important, along with the ability to manage cross-functional teams, build scalable systems, influence stakeholders at different levels, and perform effectively in a fast-moving growth environment.

Compensation

The starting compensation for this position is $170,000.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination

The employer states that it is an equal opportunity company and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. Hiring decisions are made without regard to race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or background.

A non-discrimination policy notice is referenced in the source material.

Company Background

Joe & The Juice was founded in Copenhagen in 2002 and has grown to more than 500 locations across 20 countries, with over 4,500 employees worldwide. The concept focuses on freshly prepared juices, shakes, coffee, and sandwiches in contemporary café settings that combine convenience with a distinct urban feel.

The company emphasizes internal growth through its Moneyball career system and says many leaders, including executives and directors, began in store-level roles. It also highlights its sustainability mindset and Nordic heritage.