Director of Retail Operations

HPN Airport | Director of Retail Operations – Airport Bar & Market

Director of Retail Operations
(Retail Market with To-Go Bar)

Location: Westchester County Airport (HPN) – White Plains, NY
Salary: $85,000 – $90,000 + Bonus
Status: Full-Time | Onsite Leadership Role

Lead a High-Visibility Airport Retail Operation

SSP America is seeking a Director of Retail Operations to lead a high-volume airport retail market with a small to-go bar component at Westchester County Airport (HPN).

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role responsible for full operational ownership of a single location generating approximately $7–$10M in annual revenue. The Director will lead a small leadership team and frontline staff while partnering closely with airport stakeholders and SSP corporate partners.

This role is ideal for a strong retail leader with experience in high-volume environments who can bring structure, consistency, and operational discipline to a fast-paced airport setting.

What You’ll Own

Retail & Operational Leadership

Full ownership of day-to-day retail market operations with a supporting beverage component
Strong floor presence to drive sales, merchandising standards, and customer experience
Execution of retail standards, food safety, and regulatory compliance
Oversight of a team of 3 managers and approximately 14 staff
Maintenance of liquor compliance for the to-go bar

Business & Financial Management

Accountability for unit-level P&L performance
Inventory management, merchandising, ordering, and vendor coordination
Labor planning, scheduling, and cost control
Forecasting and operational planning to support business needs

People Leadership

Hiring, onboarding, coaching, and performance management
Building leadership capability within the management team
Creating a culture of accountability, service, and operational discipline

Stakeholder Partnership

Represent SSP America with airport leadership and partners
Communicate effectively with corporate support teams
Serve as a brand ambassador for a diverse traveler base

What You Bring

Experience

Minimum 5+ years of progressive retail leadership experience (required)
Current or recent experience as a General Manager, Store Manager, or similar role
Proven ownership of a high-volume retail operation
Experience in airport, travel retail, convenience retail, or street-side retail environments strongly preferred
Experience overseeing a food or beverage component is a plus

Leadership Profile

You are a leader who:

Operates with ownership and accountability
Is highly visible and hands-on with your team
Drives sales through strong merchandising and operational execution
Brings structure and consistency to fast-paced environments
Communicates confidently with senior stakeholders
Is comfortable working in a regulated airport environment
Can maintain consistent onsite presence at HPN

Experience with Crunchtime or similar inventory systems is strongly preferred.

Why This Role

High-impact, single-unit ownership with DO-level visibility
Opportunity to stabilize and build a team from the ground up
Exposure to airport leadership and premium travel environment
Blend of retail execution with light food & beverage complexity

Minimum Requirements:

5+ years of retail leadership experience
Experience managing high-volume retail operations
Ability to work onsite at HPN

About SSP America

We’re travelers serving travelers. With restaurants in over 80 airports, we bring local favorites to passengers across North America. If you thrive in fast-paced environments, value accountability, and enjoy leading strong teams — this is your opportunity.

SSP America is an equal opportunity employer. All decisions concerning the employment relationship will be made without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, age, disability, genetic information, or and other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. SSP America will provide reasonable accommodations during the application and interview process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws.