Title:  Operational Excellence Director I

Job Description

The Senior Manager, Mobilization is a critical leadership role responsible for driving the successful onboarding, transition, and implementation of new business across the Refreshments portfolio. This position leads complex mobilization initiatives, partnering closely with Sales, Operations, National Account Services, Supply Chain, Finance, Human Resources, Technology, and other cross-functional stakeholders to ensure seamless client launches and operational readiness.

The Senior Manager, Mobilization serves as a subject matter expert in implementation strategy, project governance, and change management, ensuring new accounts are onboarded efficiently, consistently, and in alignment with organizational standards. This role requires strong project leadership, exceptional stakeholder management, strategic thinking, operational acumen, and a continuous improvement mindset.

Job Responsibilities

Mobilization Leadership & Execution

• Lead end-to-end mobilization efforts for new business wins, account transitions, acquisitions, and strategic growth initiatives across multiple regions and business segments.
• Develop and execute comprehensive mobilization plans that ensure operational readiness, service excellence, and successful client launches.
• Partner with operational leaders to establish clear account-opening objectives, timelines, responsibilities, and success metrics.
• Facilitate structured project governance and provide regular status updates to senior leadership and key stakeholders throughout the mobilization lifecycle.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority to drive alignment, accountability, and execution of critical implementation milestones.
• Coordinate resources across Operations, Sales, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Finance, Procurement, Technology, Customer Service, and other support functions to ensure successful mobilizations.
• Serve as the primary liaison between internal stakeholders and client leadership during implementation and transition periods.
• Foster strong working relationships that promote collaboration, transparency, and efficient issue resolution.

Project Management & Risk Mitigation

• Identify, assess, and proactively manage project risks that may impact operational readiness, client satisfaction, or financial performance.
• Develop mitigation strategies and contingency plans while escalating critical issues appropriately.
• Monitor project performance, ensure adherence to timelines, and drive execution against key deliverables.
• Utilize project management tools and methodologies to improve visibility, accountability, and consistency across mobilization initiatives.

Process Improvement & Standardization

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives that enhance mobilization effectiveness, scalability, and operational efficiency.
• Evaluate existing implementation processes and identify opportunities to streamline workflows, improve stakeholder experiences, and reduce implementation risks.
• Support the development and adoption of standardized mobilization tools, templates, best practices, and governance frameworks.
• Leverage lessons learned and post-launch assessments to drive ongoing process enhancements.

Operational Transition & Client Experience

• Ensure successful transition of newly mobilized accounts into ongoing operational management and support structures.
• Partner with account leadership to establish sustainable operating rhythms, reporting processes, and performance measurement standards.
• Support client onboarding efforts and ensure commitments made during the sales process are effectively translated into operational execution.
• Drive a culture of customer focus and operational excellence, ensuring mobilizations consistently exceed client expectations.

Leadership & Influence

• Provide guidance, coaching, and project leadership to mobilization team members and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted advisor to operational leaders regarding implementation strategy, organizational readiness, and change adoption.
• Influence decision-making through data, business acumen, and collaborative leadership.
• Demonstrate strong executive presence while presenting project updates, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Project Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in project management, business implementation, operations leadership, account management, or large-scale business transitions.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong project management capabilities, including planning, execution, risk management, governance, and stakeholder communication.
• Proven ability to influence and drive results across organizations without direct reporting authority.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage ambiguity and competing priorities.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, including experience presenting to senior leaders and clients.
• Experience leading change management initiatives and driving organizational adoption of new processes.
• Results-oriented leader who demonstrates initiative, accountability, adaptability, and a strong sense of urgency.
• Proficiency with project management methodologies, tools, and reporting practices.
• Ability to travel up to 25% within North America.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or related project management/process improvement certification preferred.
• Experience in hospitality, refreshment services, facilities management, food service, retail services, or other multi-site operational environments preferred.
• Experience supporting national account implementations and/or large-scale client transitions preferred.

Education

About Aramark

Our Mission

Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet.

At Aramark, we believe that every employee should enjoy equal employment opportunity and be free to participate in all aspects of the company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

About Aramark

The people of Aramark proudly serve millions of guests every day through food and facilities in 15 countries around the world. Rooted in service and united by our purpose, we strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and our planet. We believe a career should develop your talents, fuel your passions, and empower your professional growth. So, no matter what you're pursuing - a new challenge, a sense of belonging, or just a great place to work - our focus is helping you reach your full potential. Learn more about working here at http://www.aramarkcareers.com or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.