Head of Operations

Role overview

We are hiring a Head of Operations for a restaurant group in Germany. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in QSR, enjoys being present in restaurants, and can turn performance data into practical actions across a multi-site network. Every day will bring a different focus.

The position is based in Germany and requires frequent store visits. The successful candidate will oversee the Operations Managers for Germany and Austria and will be responsible for operational excellence across the restaurant estate. This role connects field operations, training, people management and head office, with a strong focus on spotting issues early and resolving them quickly.

Key responsibilities

• Guide, coach and grow the Operations Managers so they deliver strong outcomes in sales, guest experience, service speed, product quality and labour performance.
• Own and continuously improve the operations manual so that standards are clearly understood and consistently followed in every location.
• Work with the Training and Learning & Development team to create and implement operations training, covering onboarding through to management development.
• Support and coordinate new store launches in Germany and Austria, including preparation, on-site presence, ramp-up and final handover.
• Lead recruitment and hiring for important operations positions in the field, in partnership with HR and local leadership.
• Track, analyse and present operational KPIs such as sales, labour percentage, food cost, service speed, guest satisfaction and audit results, then convert insights into clear priorities and action plans.
• Visit restaurants regularly to stay close to day-to-day reality, support managers on the floor and ensure food safety and brand standards are upheld.
• Serve as a cross-functional operations partner for Marketing, Supply Chain and Finance to help ensure smooth campaign rollouts, product launches and promotional activity.

Candidate profile

This opportunity suits someone with several years of multi-site operations experience in QSR or fast casual. You should understand the pace of a busy lunch service and have strong knowledge of system gastronomy, including labour control, food safety, throughput and guest experience.

The role calls for proven leadership across Operations, Area or District Managers and large frontline teams. You should also be comfortable working with data, interpreting KPIs and explaining them in simple, practical terms for different audiences.

We are looking for a person who is approachable, fair and easy to work with, and who can build trust quickly across teams. A pragmatic, solutions-focused mindset is essential, along with calm decision-making under pressure.

Language and location requirements

The role is based in Germany and requires very good German and English. German at B2 level or above is the minimum expectation. Additional languages, including local dialects or neighbouring-country languages, are considered an advantage.

Compensation

The salary range is €80,000 to €90,000 per year, plus additional extras.

Why this role

This is a position for someone who wants to be out in restaurants rather than sitting behind a desk all day, making a visible impact on teams, operations and guest experience.