Head of Operations Excellence

JobsCloseBy Editorial Insights

Schnitz Franchising seeks a Head of Operations Excellence to lead improvements across sites, reporting to the General Manager, Restaurant Success. The role owns the Operations Manual, SOPs, operating standards, governance, network dashboards, WHS, the 5-Star Audit program, and network-wide initiatives. You will drive improvement, simplify processes, coordinate cross-functional and franchise communications, and shape equipment, technology and standards while leading guest experience. For applicants, highlight senior Operations Excellence experience in QSR or hospitality, governance delivery, data-driven decisions and large-scale rollouts; quantify outcomes such as COGS, guest scores and audit pass rates, show stakeholder management, and confirm you can work onsite in South Yarra with hybrid options aligned to Schnitz culture.

Head of Operations Excellence

At Schnitz, we're passionate about serving real food that makes people happy. With more than 80 restaurants across Australia and an exciting growth journey ahead, we're looking for an experienced Head of Operations Excellence to join our leadership team.

Reporting to the General Manager – Restaurant Success, you'll be responsible for building and continuously improving the operational systems, standards and governance that enable every restaurant to operate consistently, efficiently and safely. Working across the business, you'll drive continuous improvement, operational reporting, guest experience, audit and compliance, while supporting the successful rollout of new initiatives across our national network.

What You'll Be Doing

• Own and continuously improve the Operations Manual, SOPs and restaurant operating standards.
• Simplify operational processes and improve consistency across the network.
• Manage operational systems, including labour, COGS, audit tools and reporting.
• Develop dashboards and balanced scorecards to drive business performance.
• Lead the network operating rhythm, including operational meetings and field communications.
• Coordinate operational communications across franchise partners and restaurant teams.
• Lead the network's WHS framework, reporting and compliance.
• Own the 5-Star Audit program and drive operational improvements.
• Develop operational standards for equipment, technology and restaurant formats.
• Lead guest experience initiatives using customer insights and operational data.
• Drive continuous improvement through audits, data and restaurant feedback.
• Evaluate operational trials and oversee successful network rollouts.
• Build strong relationships with franchise partners and key internal stakeholders.

About You

• Senior experience in Operations Excellence, Continuous Improvement, Transformation or Multi-site Operations within QSR, retail or hospitality.
• Strong process improvement, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience leading operational governance, audit, compliance and cross-functional projects.
• Practical knowledge of WHS and embedding safe operating practices into day-to-day operations.
• Experience managing operational systems, dashboards and performance reporting.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience leading operational change and large-scale business rollouts.
• Tertiary qualifications in Business, Operations or a related discipline will be highly regarded.

The Good Stuff!

• Join a growing Australian success story.
• Shape the learning experience for franchise partners, restaurant teams and Support Office employees nationwide.
• Play a key role in developing the capability that supports our continued growth.
• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Birthday leave.
• Monthly Support Office lunches and social events.

Schnitz is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace environment. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds - not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it makes our organisation stronger. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other people of colour, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people and those with a disability.