Field Operations Lead Specialist - Northern California

At Philz, growth is never just about opening more stores, it’s about opening them the right way. We’re looking for a Field Operations Lead Specialist based in the San Francisco Bay Area to help lead that work by owning the readiness, coordination, and continuous improvement of our New Store Opening model. This role plays a critical part in making sure each opening is set up to launch on time, operate smoothly, and support long-term success.

You’ll work across teams to bring structure, discipline, and consistency to how we open new stores, while also helping strengthen field execution through tools, support, and project leadership. If you’re someone who knows how to keep moving parts aligned and build systems that can scale with growth, this role will give you the chance to make a visible impact.

This role involves monthly travel in our operating markets. 

 

WHAT YOU’LL DO

NSO Strategy & Execution 

• Lead the end-to-end NSO lifecycle from hiring to post-open support exit across multiple concurrent openings
• Facilitate high-impact group training and in-store coaching across all roles. Other NSO training support as needed
• Ensure stores open: 
• On time aligned to rent commencement and turnover readiness 
• Operationally ready (systems, product, training, staffing) 
• Customer experience ready 
• Financially disciplined 
• Performance metrics met 
• Lead NSO planning 
• Own assigned NSO location opening calendar and readiness milestones (Staffing - Post-Open support exit)
• Build training pod teams for maximum training excellence 
• Biweekly staffing readiness calls 
• Risk identification + collaborate on mitigation plans 
• Standardize and continuously improve 
• NSO playbooks, timelines, and readiness checklists as needed
• Post-open support structure and stabilization process 
• Raise the quality bar after every opening by leading post-mortems for each assigned opening and reviewing opening results, guest scores, hiring readiness, and first 60-day outcomes 
• Coordinate findings with the Manager, and present to Senior Leadership 
• Lead pilots, tests, and new process rollouts tied to openings.

Field Operations Leadership 

• Act as a bridge between NSO and existing store operations 
• Step into high-risk openings or underperforming launches; make decisions on support deployment, timeline adjustments, and recovery actions in partnership with Field and Central Operations Leadership
• Support Area Leaders in stabilizing new stores post-open, driving consistency across mature locations, and reinforcing operational standards and SOP adherence 
• Identify field-wide execution gaps in training and hospitality and translate into training improvements and tools
• When not in NSO cycles:
  • Deploy into the field to strengthen existing stores 
  • Support underperforming locations with structured recovery plans 
  • Reinforce the Bettering Days mission through operational excellence 

Projects & Cross-Functional 

• Consult and participate in high-impact operational projects such as:
  • NSO Process design and updates 
  • Training system enhancements 
  • Operational dashboards 
  • Pilots and tests not related to New Store Openings 
• Build and maintain:
  • NSO Workbooks/Project plans 
  • Communication cadence across stakeholders 
• Training & readiness alignment through design, validation, execution and evaluation 

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• 3+ years in multi-unit training
• Direct experience supporting new store openings in a lead training role with project management responsibilities
• Must be able to achieve Manager-level ServSafe within 30 days of hire (company-provided)
• Background in high-volume retail or food & beverage environments
• Must reside in the Northern California market areas
• Ability to sustain high energy across multi-week openings 
• Requires flexibility, resilience, and strong time management
• High travel role (local and regional; NorCal - SoCal and beyond)
• Assignments may range from daily travel to multi-week deployments 
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills with the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels
• Strategic Operator: Understands how all departments impact opening success
• Systems Thinker: Builds repeatable tools, calendars, scorecards, and processes
• Influencer without authority: Moves teams through alignment and clarity
• Resource planner: Balances people, travel, labor, and timelines across multiple openings

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Visual acuity
• Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Bending, Reaching, Pulling, Pushing, Extending arms/hands for majority of shift.
• Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Exerting up to 20-40 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible
  amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater
  than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

**Compensation & Benefits A reasonable estimate of the starting annual base salary for this role is $75,000 to $78,000. Please note that the base salary will vary based on qualifications, previous experience, and work location. When you join our team, we better your days through our benefits and support programs – we offer our team members medical, dental, and vision insurance, company-paid basic life insurance, optional family life insurance, 401(k) with company match, flexible spending accounts, health savings account with company contribution, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, commuter benefits, mental health support, holiday pay, vacation & sick time, Team Member discounts, freebie drinks and discounted beans, fun Philz swag, opportunities for growth and advancement, and more!   Philz maintains a policy regarding the employment of relatives and individuals with close personal relationships. Candidates with family members or close personal relationships currently employed by Philz may be subject to additional review to ensure there are no conflicts of interest, supervisory relationship concerns, or impacts on team performance and morale.

 

At Philz, we are an equal opportunity employer and embrace a diverse workforce.

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