Food & Beverage Category Operations Manager in Edinburg, Texas at La Lomita, Inc.

The Food Operations Manager leads operational execution for all food and dispensed beverage programs across a 37-store convenience store and travel center chain. This role drives food safety, quality, operational consistency, merchandising standards, profitability, and training for core food categories including tacos, burgers, chicken sandwiches, fresh-made sandwiches, pizza, and breakfast sandwiches, as well as dispensed beverage programs such as fountain, coffee, and frozen beverages.

Key Responsibilities

Food Operations & Execution

· Ensure daily operational excellence across all core food categories.

· Drive execution of dispensed beverage programs.

· Implement SOPs for production, prep, hold times, waste control, and sanitation.

· Perform structured weekly store visits.

Food Safety & Compliance

· Ensure 100% compliance with food safety regulations.

· Conduct food safety audits.

Financial Management

· Own all food & beverage P&L levers.

· Achieve 2026 KPIs:

• Total Deli Sales Growth: 10% YoY

• Food Add-Ons: 15%

• Waste: = 4%

• Overall GP% Goal: 55%

• Food: 53%, Coffee: 65%, Fountain: 35%, Frozen: 35%

Merchandising & Guest Experience

· Ensure planogram adherence and product presentation.

· Maintain menu accuracy and displays.

People Leadership & Training

· Train and develop store food leaders.

· Support hiring, scheduling, and performance.

· Supply Chain & Vendor Management

· Maintain par levels and manage distributor issues.

· Ensure equipment maintenance.

KPIs Overview

· Sales & Growth: 10% Deli Growth, 15% Add-Ons

· Profitability: Waste = 4%, GP% Goals Met

· Operational Excellence: Food safety, logs, production accuracy

· People: Training completion and retention

· Guest: Mystery shop, speed, cleanliness

Qualifications

· 3–5+ years multi-unit foodservice leadership.· Strong food safety background.· Proven sales, waste, and labor performance.· Experience with fresh-made food programs.· Ability to travel between stores.

Incentives/Benefits

· Flexible Work Schedules

· Exceptional Training

· Competitive Pay

· Great Health Benefits

· Career Advancement and Development Opportunities

· Referral Program

· 401K With a Competitive Company Match

Physical Requirements

N (Not Applicable) = This activity is not required for this position.

O (Occasionally) = This activity is required for this position up to 33% of the time (up to 2.5+ hours per day)

F (Frequently) = This activity is required for this position up to 66% of the time (2.5 – 5.5+ hours per day)

C (Constantly) = This activity is required for this position more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hours per day)

Activity

Frequency

Activity

Frequency

Sit

Frequently

Reach Outward

Frequently

Stand

Constantly

Reach Above Shoulder

Frequently

Walk

Constantly

Lift/Carry 10 lbs. or less

Frequently

Climb

Occasionally

Lift/Carry 11 – 20 lbs.

Frequently

Crawl

Occasionally

Lift/Carry 21 – 50 lbs.

Occasionally

Squat/Kneel

Occasionally

Push/Pull 12 lbs. or less

Frequently

Manually Manipulate

Constantly

Push/Pull 13 – 25 lbs.

Frequently

Speak

Constantly

Push/Pull 26 – 50 lbs.

Occasionally

Other Physical Requirements: Specific vision abilities required include close, distance, and peripheral vision.

Work Environment

• Frequent travel, long-distance driving.

Disclaimer

La Lomita, Inc. has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential and other duties have been included. This job description is intended only to be a guideline for job expectations and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, abilities, and skills that may be required of this position. Additional functions and duties may be assigned by supervisors and management. This job description is not a contract for employment, and either the incumbent or La Lomita Energy may terminate employment at any time, for any reason. La Lomita, Inc. reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign duties and tasks for the Associate to perform at any time, as La Lomita, Inc. deems appropriate.