Regional Director of Operations- Latin America & Caribbean (LA&C) -Remote in Mexico

Since 1940, Dairy Queen® has been one of the world’s best known and loved brands. Based in Minneapolis, MN, International Dairy Queen Inc., (IDQ), is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation. As a leading franchisor, there are more than 7,000 independently owned and operated restaurants in the U.S., Canada and more than 20 countries around the world. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (Berkshire) which is led by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire.

Here at IDQ, we create extraordinary Fan experiences every day and we do this through our commitment to hiring and retaining only the best in class talent. We firmly believe that our employees are the catalyst to the success of the company where their initiative, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit are recognized and rewarded. We're looking for motivated, passionate and dedicated individuals with an inherent need and ambition to go after bigger challenges.

The Regional Director – Operations will provide visionary leadership and strategic oversight to the LA&C Region and its Franchise Groups, ensuring the achievement of both short-term and long-term objectives. This role is pivotal in developing and executing a regional operations strategy aimed at enhancing sales, profits, operating standards, and systems. This role will also foster strong collaborations with Product Development, Food Safety Quality Regulatory, Marketing, and Supply Chain to ensure all store operations initiatives are aligned and effectively implemented.

Principal Accountabilities

• Strategic Leadership: Spearhead the development and implementation of innovative operational strategies that drive significant improvements in sales and profitability. Serve as a strategic partner to the GM and VP – Int’l Operations, aligning regional goals with broader corporate strategies.
• Team Development and Empowerment: Lead, mentor, and empower the operations team, both internally and externally, to transition from task-focused execution to strategic, proactive business consultants. Enhance their capabilities to operate independently, make critical decisions, and provide valuable insights into their respective markets.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as the operations liaison with all functional leaders, ensuring operational perspectives are integrated into corporate decisions. Build strong, open relationships across all levels, influencing and aligning with other departments to foster a cohesive strategy execution.
• Franchisee Engagement and Compliance: Oversee and elevate franchisee operations to ensure adherence to food safety, product procedures, menu compliance, and trademark protection. Work closely with franchisee leadership to strengthen the DQ Brand identity and execution across the region.
• Operational Excellence and Innovation: Monitor and refine operating procedures and systems to ensure peak efficiency and innovation. Lead by example in utilizing operational data to drive decisions, strategies, and continuous improvement.

Education and Qualifications:

• Required Education: B.A. or B.S. Degree in Business or related field; MBA strongly preferred.
• Experience: Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in Operations, Marketing, or a related field within the QSR, Fast Casual, or Full-Service restaurant industries.
• Franchise Knowledge: Proven track record in a franchisor organization, with exceptional ability to foster strong franchisee relationships.
• Leadership Skills: Demonstrated experience in leading diverse and geographically dispersed teams; capable of inspiring and developing future leaders.
• Strategic Acumen: Strong analytical skills and the ability to think strategically are crucial. Must have a history of making data-driven decisions and implementing scalable operational strategies.
• Communication Skills: Outstanding communication abilities in both English and Spanish are essential. Must be capable of crafting and conveying clear operational and business strategies to a variety of audiences, including senior leadership and franchisee groups.  Verbal and written fluency in both English and Spanish required.
• Technology Proficiency: Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Travel Requirements: Ability to travel internationally with no restrictions; expected travel approximately 30%.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.  You must be work authorized in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion for all who touch DQ.  We believe in and commit to fostering a community where employees bring their authentic selves to work; where we recruit, engage and retain employees, franchise owners and suppliers with diverse background and identities; and where everyone feels welcome engaging with our DQ brand.