Director of Operations - Houston (52426)

• Competitive salary + performance bonus plan
• 3 weeks PTO — because burnout isn't a flavor we serve
• Medical, Dental & Vision after 30 days
• Company-paid Vision and Dental (employee only)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) & Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Employee Assistance Program — Stand Together Fund
• Company-paid STD, LTD, and Life Insurance
• 401(k) Plan
• Free TACOS. Obviously.
• Get a Velvet Taco tattoo? Our CEO will pay for it. We're not kidding.

The Director of Operations owns the quality of restaurant operations across the Houston market and is obsessed with building a culture of operational excellence. You'll align teams across both regions around performance goals that drive real business results, lead each restaurant's execution, and coach management teams to hit high operational standards while growing sales and profits. Bottom line: you make Velvet Taco a place people are proud to work — and a place guests can't stop talking about!

What You'll Own:

• People Leader — You develop Management Teams by setting challenging and measurable goals for their growth. You read the room, adapting your communication and feedback style to the audience. You handle performance conversations head-on, holding teams accountable constructively and on time.
• Talent Development — You live and breathe continuous improvement — for your teams and for yourself.
• Workforce Planning — You build succession plans, spot talent at every level, and understand that a strong bench wins championships.
• Operations — You've got serious P&L acumen and build action plans that keep raising the bar. You champion change and get others excited to evolve with you.
• Culinary — You make sure culinary standards are locked in: food safety, storage, prep recipes, line procedures — all of it.
• Food Safety — You keep things clean, compliant, and professional — while somehow still making it fun and high-energy.
• Financial Aptitude — You build annual plans, take initiative, and actually hit your numbers.
• New Restaurant Openings — You lead and execute NROs as we grow our footprint in Houston.

Proven track record managing P&L and operations of at least $5–10M in AUV. You think analytically and execute tactically. You know how to assess talent and build teams that perform.

BE A REBEL

You're hands-on when it counts and comfortable with a rotating schedule that includes late nights and weekends. You model high ethical standards and have a proven ability to lead management teams in high-volume, fast-paced environments.

KICK ASS & TAKE NAMES

Minimum 5 years in a multi-unit food service leadership role. You multitask under deadlines without breaking a sweat. You know your way around MS Excel, Windows, and POS systems.

STAND TOGETHER

Excellent written and verbal communication — you can talk to anyone from the line cook to the C-suite.

• Located in the Houston Metro area
• 5+ years in a leadership role with a multi-unit restaurant brand
• Willing and able to travel regularly in the Houston market
• Out-of-the-box thinker
• Problem identifier and solver
• Excellent relationship builder
• Skilled at turning goals into action
• Experience leading successful sales-building initiatives
• Track record of data-driven decision-making
• Self-starter who can juggle multiple projects at once
• Expected to maintain a strong on-site presence in designated restaurants (~80%)

Velvet Taco is a temple to the liberated taco. We're a one-of-a-kind concept serving a chef-driven menu in a unique, funky fast-casual setting. Founded on the idea that tacos don't have to mean Tex-Mex — and can be made with the same care and quality as fine dining — Velvet Taco is where “anything goes” meets the art of the possible.

We use only the freshest ingredients on a menu that pushes the boundaries of multicultural cuisine. We slow-roast our chicken and corn, pour some serious booze into our margaritas, and make everything from scratch — because that's what makes our food taste awesome. Our tacos may not change the world, but we think they're pretty freakin' great.

The best part? Our kick-ass Tribe is at the center of it all!  Learn more at velvettaco.com/about-us

Velvet Taco celebrates individuality. We are an equal opportunity employer and select and retain Team Members and Managers based on job-related qualifications, regardless of race, color, creed, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or medical condition.