General Manager/Operating Partner

Job Description

About the job

Whataburger Family: Who we are

People make the difference at Whataburger—Family Members take pride in their work, take care of each other, and love serving our customers. At Whataburger, you will work for a brand and legacy that fills you with pride, on a team that cares about helping you learn and grow and belong to a family that loves winning together. Join the Whataburger Family and we’ll work together to instill values and skills that will serve you well no matter where your journey leads you.

Restaurant High Performing Teams: How we deliver Family Member Experience, Operations Excellence, and Customer Experience

Restaurant High Performing Teams, (RHPT), are groups of Family Members who share a common vision, goal, and approach to work. They collaborate, challenge, and hold each other accountable to deliver the Whataburger experience to each other and our customers using the six Restaurant High Performing Team Characteristics; Coaching, Communication, Engagement, Empowerment, Recruiting, and Rewards and Recognition.

Operating Partner: How you bring value

At Whataburger, our Operating Partners direct and develop a strong team to drive operational excellence in their restaurant. Operating Partners report to the Area Manager. Operating Partners are coaches and mentors who provide development opportunities for their teams. They lead and supervise all aspects of the Family Member experience in our restaurants, from talent management to recruitment to training and promotion of current Family Members. Operating Partners inspire Family Members to deliver and succeed, and they create action plans based on performance data and financial goals. Operating Partners ensure that operations are always clean, safe, and in the customer's eye, "ready for business."

Responsibilities

Leads by example to gain commitment from Family Members by reinforcing team behaviors consistent with Whataburger Core Values and Guiding Principles; inspires people and celebrates the team

Provides leadership and mentoring to Family Members; accountable for the in-restaurant Family Member experience, aligns the team around a common vision, provides effective coaching, sets realistic expectations, holds themselves and others accountable, and celebrates successes

Models High Performing Team behaviors and foster relationships through open and honest communications, coaching, and engagement

Facilitates discussions among Family Members and Managers to ensure expectations are clear, share best practices, address underperforming areas, and resolve open questions

Exercises high level of independent judgment and discretion in managing the daily operations of the restaurant to ensure effective and efficient performance of the restaurant and its Family Members in all Whataburger operational and customer experience standards

Demonstrates ownership for growing Managers' and Team Leaders' capabilities by creating tailored development plans and establishing effective feedback mechanisms

Trains and coaches Team Leaders and Managers, empowering them to lead their shift and focus on developing their Family Members

Coaches and encourages Managers and Team Leaders on ways to effectively work as a High Performing Team and use operational tools to improve restaurant performance

Demonstrates appreciation for the contribution of Family Members at all levels by recognizing best work through celebrating and sharing success stories

Identifies Managers, Team Leaders and Team Members with potential to progress to the next level

Works with the Family Member to develop the necessary skills and behaviors to be considered for promotion

Evaluates progress and provides feedback

Demonstrates, explains, and champions change initiatives; ensure change initiatives are deployed in the restaurant

Participates in inter-restaurant collaboration through sharing best practices, individual perspectives and supporting other restaurants in area

Leads recruiting, interviewing, and hiring to achieve staffing levels to drive, maintain, and sustain Restaurant High Performing Teams

Instills a customer-service mindset and demonstrates how to reinforce the brand by engaging with our customers, addressing concerns, and creating a welcoming environment within the restaurant

Recognize when customer preferences are changing and adjust service delivery to meet customer demands

Works with Managers and the Area Manager to execute operational plans utilizing reporting tools, customer metrics, and labor metrics to monitor restaurant performance and processes consistent with Whataburger standards of excellence

Develops the budget, expense plans, and sales goals as part of financial planning in order to achieve financial targets; manages profit and loss, oversee financial tasks such as cash reporting, labor, food expenses, repairs and maintenance

Age

REQUIREMENTS:

Must be at least 18 years of age

Education

High school diploma/GED or equivalent work experience

Experience And Demonstrated Behaviors

3-5 years’ experience in the restaurant industry preferred

Previous experience in a restaurant leadership position preferred

Demonstrated intermediate to advanced level of ability to communicate, influence, and negotiate decisions while motivating assigned staff

Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment

Demonstrated ability to observe and coach

Demonstrated ability to encourage open communication

Demonstrated ability to engage others in a team environment

Demonstrated ability to empower Managers and team members

Demonstrated ability to recognize and reward positive contributions by restaurant Family Members

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Proficiency in MS Office Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint preferred

Strong general knowledge of the organization and its functions

Strong general knowledge of working practices, procedures, and techniques

Intermediate to advanced understanding of budgetary concepts and procedures

Intermediate to advanced ability to delegate projects and get work done through others

Intermediate to advanced understanding of performance review process

Ability to prepare and present ideas and recommendations to colleagues, managers, and direct reports with ample notice and preparation

Professional Certifications

Food Safety Certification (may vary based on city, county, and state requirements)

Food Handler’s Certification

Working Conditions/Travel Requirements

Must be available and work the necessary time to satisfactorily fulfill job responsibilities

Must be able to report to work timely and as required by operational/business needs

Must be able to work a full-time schedule and be able to work all shifts based on operational needs of the restaurant

Must be able to travel occasionally, both locally and long distances (including air travel) to work sites, meeting sites, and other locations

Working conditions exist to satisfactorily fulfill job responsibilities

Must possess a valid driver’s license, submit to releasing a Motor Vehicle Record that adheres to the Whataburger standards, and maintain current automobile liability at minimum levels in their state of residence

Physical Requirements

Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. on occasion

Must be able to stand during entire shift

Must be able to reach, bend, stoop, lift, shake, stir, pour, carry, and push on occasion

Must be able to read (orders on tickets, menu board, receipts, etc.)

Frequent contact/immersion of hands in water, cleaning and sanitation solutions, meat products, poultry products, seafood, and produce items

Frequent washing of hands

Must be able to use computers, telephones, and office equipment

Salary

Salary base is $85,000 + bonuses for meeting expectations

Relocation assistance available.

This Job Posting does not contain an exhaustive list of all roles, activities, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the position. This description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position. Whataburger reserves the right to revise the position or to require that other or different activities be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel or workload, rush jobs, technological developments or other operational need).

Whataburger is more than a burger chain. It’s a place that feels like home to more than 43,000 Family Members and millions of customers. We take PRIDE in our work. We CARE for each other. And absolutely LOVE serving our customers.

Whataburger is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, disability, veteran status, age, or other condition or status protected by law.

Full-time