Chief Operating Officer (Birmingham)

SHR Talent is partnering with a fast-growing, multi-unit food & beverage platform across the Southeast in its search for a Chief Operating Officer (COO). This organization has experienced consistent growth and is seeking a dynamic operational leader to help scale its footprint while maintaining a strong, people-first culture. The Chief Operating Officer will serve as a key partner to executive leadership, with direct visibility to ownership and investors, and will play a critical role in driving operational consistency, team development, and overall business performance across 30+ locations.

The organization is open to individuals stepping into this level for the first time, provided they bring strong multi-unit experience, leadership capability, and a track record of driving results in a fast-paced environment, with a clear path toward broader operational leadership.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and oversight across a multi-unit, geographically dispersed operation
• Partner closely with executive leadership to develop and execute operational strategy
• Build strong relationships with field leadership and store-level teams
• Identify operational gaps and implement scalable solutions across locations
• Drive consistency in processes, performance metrics, and customer experience
• Lead, mentor, and develop regional and store-level leadership teams
• Travel regularly to locations to ensure alignment, support, and execution
• Assist in scaling infrastructure to support continued growth and expansion

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in multi-unit food & beverage, restaurant, or hospitality operations
• Proven leadership experience overseeing multiple locations or regions
• Strong ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
• Demonstrated success improving operational performance and team engagement
• High emotional intelligence and ability to lead through influence
• Experience in high-growth or evolving organizations strongly preferred
• Willingness to travel regularly across the Southeast