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.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Standardization & Excellence

• 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

New Location Launch Management

• 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

Operational Support & Collaboration

• 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

Qualifications

Required:

• 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%)

Preferred:

• 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

Travel & Work Environment

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.

What We Offer

• 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