Manager of Operational Excellence

About The Company

Yay is rethinking K–12 school dining from the ground up. We partner with schools to deliver fresh, student-loved food through a modern operating model that combines on‑site kitchens, regional production, and technology‑enabled service — all designed to make lunch better for kids and easier for schools.

Founded in 2018, Yay has grown into a multi‑market operation serving schools across the country with a proven, scalable model. What began as a marketplace has evolved into a full‑service dining platform built to meet the real operational and customer service needs of school communities.

Our culture is grounded in ownership, resilience, and a strong can‑do mindset. We value people who take initiative, solve problems, and stay positive under pressure, with a deep commitment to serving schools and families well. Backed by experienced venture partners, we are entering our next phase of growth and building the team that will carry us forward.

• Develop and implement comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all school dining facilities
• Create scalable operational frameworks and best practice documentation
• Partner with market operational managers to support continuous improvement initiatives
• Establish quality standards and operational benchmarks across all locations

• Lead end‑to‑end launch process for new schools and dining facilities
• Oversee and manage equipment procurement, installation, and buildout projects
• Collaborate with school partners to secure all required food service operating permits and licenses
• Develop comprehensive launch plans including timelines, milestones, and risk mitigation strategies
• Create and execute hiring plans for new locations in partnership with market operational managers
• Conduct site assessments and feasibility analysis for prospective locations

• Serve as strategic partner to market operational managers during and after launch phases
• Provide expertise and support in troubleshooting operational challenges
• Conduct regular site visits to both new and existing schools to assess operations and identify opportunities
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and best practice transfer across markets
• Act as liaison between field operations and central leadership

• 5+ years of experience in food service, retail, or K‑12 operations
• Proven track record managing multiple locations or supporting multi‑unit operations
• Experience with operational buildouts, launches, or openings
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to create and implement operational processes and procedures
• A strong “can‑do” mindset — you are a proactive problem‑solver who takes ownership, stays positive under pressure, and figures out how to get things done well
• High accountability and resilience; you approach challenges with solutions, not excuses
• Customer‑obsessed orientation, with a deep understanding that serving schools and families well comes first
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency in Google suite and Slack
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively (50‑70%)

• Experience in K‑12 food service or school nutrition programs
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and permitting processes
• Familiarity with commercial kitchen equipment and facilities
• Experience working in high‑growth or scaling organizations
• Lean operations or Six Sigma experience

This Is a Remote Position Requiring Extensive Travel To Markets Across Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Washington DC, New York, Illinois, And Pennsylvania. Travel Will Include:

• Site visits to evaluate new and existing school locations
• Multi‑day/week on‑site presence during buildouts and launches
• Regular visits to support operational teams and conduct assessments

Preferred home locations:
Dallas/Fort Worth, Raleigh, Philadelphia, or Washington DC to optimize travel logistics.

• Opportunity to shape operational strategy in a growing company
• High visibility role working directly with company President
• Diverse portfolio of markets and schools to support
• Remote flexibility when not traveling
• Competitive salary and benefits package

Mid‑Senior level

Full‑time

Management and Manufacturing

Food & Beverages