Director of Operations - Central Region

Director of Operations
- Central Region

At Refreshments, operational excellence is the foundation of sustainable growth. We are seeking an experienced, field-oriented Director of Operations to support the Central Region by driving execution, improving consistency, and accelerating performance across a complex, multi-market business. Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, this leader will serve as a key operational partner across the Central Region, with informal authority over regional operations and formal responsibility for one assigned District.

In addition to direct operational accountability, this role will serve as an informal leader and thought partner across the broader region, helping translate strategy into disciplined execution, measurable outcomes, and sustainable operating routines. This role is responsible for supporting revenue growth, profitability, client retention, service execution, safety, employee engagement, operational efficiency, fleet readiness, and margin improvement. The successful candidate will bring strong business judgment, operational discipline, financial acumen, and the ability to influence leaders at multiple levels of the organization.

This is a highly visible, field-facing leadership role requiring the ability to balance strategy with hands-on execution. The Director of Operations will help identify performance gaps, simplify complex operational challenges, build accountability, and support a culture focused on safety, service, continuous improvement, and results. This is a remote position with up to 80% travel.

Location:

Milwaukee, WI, US, 53151

Nearest Major Market:
Waukesha

Nearest Secondary Market:
Milwaukee

What You'll Lead
- Operational Leadership & Growth

Regional Operational Excellence

Serve as a key operational partner across the Central Region, helping drive consistency, standardization, and continuous improvement across core operating processes.

Translate regional priorities into actionable plans that improve service execution, productivity, safety, client satisfaction, and financial results.

Support Market Center and District leaders in identifying performance gaps, root causes, and practical solutions that can be executed in the field.

Establish clear expectations, operating routines, and follow-up mechanisms to ensure disciplined execution across assigned areas of responsibility.

Champion operational initiatives that improve productivity, service quality, employee engagement, safety performance, revenue, EBIT, and margin.

Assigned District

Maintain formal operational responsibility for one assigned District.

Lead business performance for assigned areas, including revenue growth, profitability, client retention, safety, service execution, employee engagement, and operational discipline.

Support the continued integration, stabilization, and optimization of this acquired business, ensuring alignment with Refreshments standards, systems, expectations, and operating practices.

Build strong leadership routines within assigned operations to improve communication, accountability, staffing, service execution, and financial performance.

Ensure leaders maintain a safe, healthy, compliant, and productive environment for employees, clients, customers, and consumers.

Growth & Client Partnership

Drive growth within the existing client base by partnering with Sales, Operations, and Market Center leadership to identify opportunities, strengthen relationships, and improve service delivery.

Ensure exceptional customer service and operational execution that support client loyalty, retention, and long-term value creation.

Identify innovative solutions, process improvements, and emerging opportunities that position the business for continued success.

Partner with commercial leaders to support organic growth, improved client penetration, and execution of strategic service offerings.

What You'll Lead
- Performance, Leadership & Operational Readiness

Performance, Financial Discipline & Margin Improvement

Leverage data, financial insights, and operational metrics to identify opportunities and accelerate performance.

Understand and analyze key performance indicators, including revenue, EBIT, margin, labor, route performance, order trends, inventory, service levels, client retention, customer satisfaction, and safety.

Educate and coach leaders on the operational levers that impact margin, productivity, service execution, and financial performance.

Help leaders move beyond reporting results by identifying actions, owners, timelines, and measurable improvement plans.

Leadership, Talent & Change Management

Model key leadership behaviors and reinforce a culture of safety, service excellence, accountability, inclusion, and continuous learning.

Lead through influence, collaboration, and visibility while fostering trust across all levels of the organization.

Coach and mentor District, Market Center, and functional leaders to elevate performance and prepare future organizational leaders.

Lead organizational change…