Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer - Food Service Management

Harvey Hohauser & Associates is a boutique retained executive recruiting firm. We partner with clients exclusively to find ideal candidates. We are experts in the placement of strategic, adaptive, and culturally aligned executives. Founded 35+ years ago and located in the metropolitan Detroit area, HH&A is a member of AESC.

Must-haves :

• Multi-state, multi-unit / vertical senior operations leadership experience in a service management industry (not IT)

The Company :

Our client is a privately held, mission-driven food service management company located in the Western United States. They provide tailored culinary services to healthcare facilities, senior living communities, corporate dining, independent schools, sports organizations, and other clients. They are committed to providing personalized, intentional service, using naturally sourced ingredients, and crafting nourishing, thoughtfully prepared real food from scratch. Their culture is based on their commitment to the health and well-being of their team and clients.

The Opportunity :

A newly created role, the Chief Operating Officer will oversee operations across a national footprint, ensuring consistency, quality, and exceptional experiences in every location through strong team and client relationships. Our client seeks someone with character and competence to help lead a thoughtful transformation. This is a strategic and tactical leadership role in a culture-driven organization. At its core, this is about nourishing people and communities. The COO has the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the health, wellness, and overall experience of clients, their employees, patients, and students. This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer and has six direct reports.

Job Definition / Characteristics :

The COO is a company-wide executive charged with ensuring operational consistency, scalability, and strategic alignment across the entire organization. They will translate vision into comprehensive operational frameworks that align with the company's mission, vision, and growth goals, ensuring alignment and accountability across all departments and functions. This role requires balancing premium customer experiences with strong financial performance while driving long-term value through innovation and new service models. It is essential for this position to establish and build credibility amongst a well-established, dedicated, and loyal team. The goal is to maintain customer retention above 98% through dependable service, proactive communication, and teams that deliver on promises. The right candidate will scale operations and embed processes that support increased operational consistency, expansion, and innovation while maintaining company culture.

Summary of Key Responsibilities :

Leadership and Management :

The COO will build and nurture a world-class, mission-aligned operations leadership team, creating a culture of excellence, accountability, and personal growth.

The Requirements :

Education :