Operations Administration Advisor

Sarku Japan is the largest Japanese quick-service restaurant chain in the United States, with 150+ locations across the country. Backed by Garnett Station Partners, we're entering an accelerated phase of growth and transformation.

Great restaurants are built by great people. We believe our success starts with the people who bring our values to life every day. By investing in our employees, creating opportunities for growth, and recognizing meaningful contributions, we will become America's Favorite Japanese Restaurant--
- because of you
.

You will be the COO's strategic partner and trusted advisor for the Office of Operations. You will help set the operations agenda, turn strategy into results, and give the COO the administrative support, analysis, perspective, and follow-through needed to lead operations across both corporate-owned and franchised Sarku Japan restaurants.

This role sits at the center of the operations function and works across Field Operations, Operations Services, Supply Chain, Training, IT, Marketing, Finance, and franchise partners. You will lead through influence: you'll shape priorities, drive cross-functional initiatives, and advise on decisions that affect enterprise performance. The role will change as the COO's priorities and the needs of the business change. Successful candidates combine strategic judgment, strong operating instincts, and the credibility to work as a peer with senior leaders and franchisees while using administrative and organizational planning skills to support the COO.

This role reports to the Chief Operating Officer.

The Ops Administration Advisor is accountable for the following essential responsibilities:

Strategic Advisory to the COO

• Serve as a thought partner and sounding board to the COO on operations strategy, organizational priorities, and key decisions
• Provide independent analysis and recommendations on operational performance, risks, and opportunities across corporate and franchise restaurants
• Anticipate issues before they escalate, frame options and trade-offs, and recommend a course of action
• Represent the COO in meetings and decisions as directed, speaking for the Office of Operations with authority
• Advise on sensitive organizational, people, and franchise matters with the highest discretion

Operations Strategy and Planning

• Lead development of the annual operations plan and strategic priorities, aligning them with enterprise goals and the budget
• Turn strategy into measurable objectives, initiatives, and accountabilities across operations teams
• Partner with Finance to monitor operations performance against plan, including KPIs, unit economics, and department spend
• Lead or advise on high-impact, cross-functional initiatives such as new restaurant openings, LTO launches, technology rollouts, and process redesign

Operating Rhythm and Governance

• Design and run the operations management system, including leadership meetings, operations reviews, scorecards, and decision forums
• Own the integrated operations calendar of major launches, openings, rollouts, and field commitments; resolve conflicts and resource constraints across functions
• Make sure decisions, commitments, and action items from COO-led forums are documented, owned, and delivered
• Build and maintain operations dashboards and scorecards that give the COO and leadership a clear view of performance and progress

Executive Communication

• Develop executive-level presentations, board materials, and franchise communications for the COO
• Shape and coordinate operations messaging to field teams and franchise partners, in partnership with Operations Services
• Synthesize input from operations leaders into concise briefings, insights, and recommendations

Cross-Functional Leadership and Alignment

• Serve as the primary link between the Office of Operations and other enterprise functions, the executive team, and franchise partners
• Drive alignment and resolve competing priorities across functions; elevate thoughtfully when needed
• Strengthen operations team effectiveness, including input on organizational design, leadership offsites, onboarding of senior operations leaders, and team culture initiatives
• Identify and lead improvements in how the operations function plans, decides, and executes
• Lead special projects and strategic assignments as directed by the COO

The Ops Administration Advisor is expected to model enterprise and collaborative leadership and reinforce a people-first…