General Manager - Airline Catering

About us

LSG Sky Chefs is one of the world’s largest airline catering and hospitality providers, known for its outstanding reputation and dynamic approach in the industry. Voted “Airline Caterer of the Year in North America” for 2023 and 2024, we are committed to excellence and innovation, driven by the dedication and expertise of our talented employees. Our team members are the heart and soul of our success, consistently delivering exceptional culinary experiences and outstanding service to our clients and their passengers across North and Latin America.

Role Purpose Statement

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic General Manager to lead our Tampa Customer Service Center (CSC). This is the top leadership role for our Tampa operations, overseeing a team of approximately 130 employees and driving performance across all functional areas, including Procurement, Manufacturing, Logistics, HR, Finance, Quality, and Customer Service.

This role requires an experienced and hands-on leader who will champion our strategic pillars of Safety, People, Client, Culinary, Service, and Digital, ensuring operational excellence and customer satisfaction. The General Manager will be responsible for setting and executing the business strategy, optimizing financial and operational performance, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

Location: near Tampa Airport

Working Condition: This position is based in a food manufacturing/production environment, requiring regular presence on the production floor. This is not a restaurant or kitchen operations position.

Main Accountabilities

Business Strategy, Policies and Tools
 Contribute to the definition of the CSC/regional strategy
 Develop and execute the implementation of the CSC strategy
 Ensure compliance with the policies provided by regions and Corporate
Managing Business
 Ensure the development of an annual business plan and budgeting for the CSC based on the regional specific objectives and strategy in coordination with the relevant interfaces
 Ensure the development and implementation of short- and mid-term planning on products and services in coordination with Sales & Services and other relevant interfaces. Ensure efficient and timely corrective actions in case of significant deviations
 Oversee the CSC’s economic and operating performance.
 Ensure that the CSC is managed and controlled efficiently in line with the company’s framework and market requirements.
 Ensure optimal deployment of human, technical, financial and material resources
 Ensure that the CSC’s work methods are in line with the company standards and customer contracts
 Initiate capital expenditure requests
 Initiate and control continuous optimization of processes
 Ensure the compliance with safety, health, environmental and quality guidelines provided by corporate and local regulations and customer requirements
 Ensure clear communication and close co-operation with all relevant internal and external interfaces
 Where applicable: ensure the procurement/purchase of all materials and services needed at the CSC in line with the company’s standards
Leadership
 Ensure that the area of responsibility is properly organized, staffed and directed
 Guide, motivate and develop the subordinate employees within the Human Resources Policy
 Participates in coaching the expanded Global Performance System (GPS) process, as well as additional career development activities to enhance the effectiveness and potential of the team
 Make the company's values and management principles live in the department(s)
 Plan / Implement and control the cost budget in the area of responsibility; initiate and steer corrective actions in case of deviations
 Participate and support company sponsored initiatives such as Global Quality Standard (GQS), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Lean Manufacturing, Employee Safety

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

 Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
 In addition, minimum five years of relevant management/operations experience
 Working knowledge of lean manufacturing
 Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
 Ability to build, develop, and maintain strong cross-functional teams, employee relations and union relations
 Experience in managing multiple departments
 Successful record in stretching to exceed Corporate expectations
 Polished presentation and interpersonal skills
 Good knowledge of Microsoft Office and Windows-based computer applications