About Sarku Japan

Sarku Japan is the largest Japanese quick-service restaurant chain in the United States, with 150+ locations across the country. Backed by Garnett Station Partners, we're entering an accelerated phase of growth and transformation.

Great restaurants are built by great people. We believe our success starts with the people who bring our values to life every day. By investing in our employees, creating opportunities for growth, and recognizing meaningful contributions, we will become America’s Favorite Japanese Restaurant---because of you.

Overview

You will be the COO's strategic partner and trusted advisor for the Office of Operations. You will help set the operations agenda, turn strategy into results, and give the COO the administrative support, analysis, perspective, and follow-through needed to lead operations across both corporate-owned and franchised Sarku Japan restaurants.

This role sits at the center of the operations function and works across Field Operations, Operations Services, Supply Chain, Training, IT, Marketing, Finance, and franchise partners. You will lead through influence: you'll shape priorities, drive cross-functional initiatives, and advise on decisions that affect enterprise performance. The role will change as the COO's priorities and the needs of the business change. Successful candidates combine strategic judgment, strong operating instincts, and the credibility to work as a peer with senior leaders and franchisees while using administrative and organizational planning skills to support the COO.

This role reports to the Chief Operating Officer.

Essential Responsibilities

The Ops Administration Advisor is accountable for the following essential responsibilities:

Strategic Advisory to the COO

• Serve as a thought partner and sounding board to the COO on operations strategy, organizational priorities, and key decisions
• Provide independent analysis and recommendations on operational performance, risks, and opportunities across corporate and franchise restaurants
• Anticipate issues before they escalate, frame options and trade-offs, and recommend a course of action
• Represent the COO in meetings and decisions as directed, speaking for the Office of Operations with authority
• Advise on sensitive organizational, people, and franchise matters with the highest discretion

Operations Strategy and Planning

• Lead development of the annual operations plan and strategic priorities, aligning them with enterprise goals and the budget
• Turn strategy into measurable objectives, initiatives, and accountabilities across operations teams
• Partner with Finance to monitor operations performance against plan, including KPIs, unit economics, and department spend
• Lead or advise on high-impact, cross-functional initiatives such as new restaurant openings, LTO launches, technology rollouts, and process redesign

Operating Rhythm and Governance

• Design and run the operations management system, including leadership meetings, operations reviews, scorecards, and decision forums
• Own the integrated operations calendar of major launches, openings, rollouts, and field commitments; resolve conflicts and resource constraints across functions
• Make sure decisions, commitments, and action items from COO-led forums are documented, owned, and delivered
• Build and maintain operations dashboards and scorecards that give the COO and leadership a clear view of performance and progress

Executive Communication

• Develop executive-level presentations, board materials, and franchise communications for the COO
• Shape and coordinate operations messaging to field teams and franchise partners, in partnership with Operations Services
• Synthesize input from operations leaders into concise briefings, insights, and recommendations

Cross-Functional Leadership and Alignment

• Serve as the primary link between the Office of Operations and other enterprise functions, the executive team, and franchise partners
• Drive alignment and resolve competing priorities across functions; escalate thoughtfully when needed
• Strengthen operations team effectiveness, including input on organizational design, leadership offsites, onboarding of senior operations leaders, and team culture initiatives
• Identify and lead improvements in how the operations function plans, decides, and executes
• Lead special projects and strategic assignments as directed by the COO

Leadership Expectations

The Ops Administration Advisor is expected to model enterprise and collaborative leadership and reinforce a people-first culture.

Knowledge and Experience

The role requires advanced operations knowledge and strategic judgment across the following areas:

• Knowledge normally obtained through a bachelor's degree and 10+ years of progressive experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Significant experience in multi-unit restaurant, hospitality, or retail operations, including senior-level operations leadership, strategy, department-level chief of staff, or senior advisory roles
• Demonstrated experience advising C-suite or senior executives and leading enterprise-wide, cross-functional initiatives
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including operational KPIs, P&L drivers, and budgeting
• Proven ability to design operating cadences, governance processes, and performance scorecards
• Advanced proficiency with Artificial Intelligence, Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint and Excel, and collaboration tools such as Teams or SharePoint
• Experience working with franchisees or in a franchise system strongly preferred
• MBA or advanced degree a plus

Physical Requirements

This role requires the ability to perform corporate and field-facing responsibilities, including:

• Regular use of a computer, keyboard, telephone, and collaboration technology for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and through digital channels and to review detailed technical and business information.
• Ability to move within office and restaurant environments and occasionally lift or carry equipment or materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to travel by car or air and work at restaurant or vendor locations, with reasonable accommodation as applicable.

Working Conditions

Works primarily in a corporate office, field, travel, and restaurant environment.

• Periodic (10-20%) travel required.
• Schedule may include occasional early mornings, evenings, or extended hours based on business needs
• This role interacts regularly with senior leadership, requiring professionalism, discretion, and the ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
• Restaurant visits may involve noise, heat, cold, food preparation areas, and other conditions typical of an operating quick-service restaurant.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Sarku Japan strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, veteran status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state 

Founded in 1987, Sarku Japan began with four entrepreneurs who saw an opportunity to introduce Japanese teppanyaki cooking to the United States. Starting with a single location in the Liberty Tree Mall in Boston, Massachusetts, they built the company through hard work, shared responsibility, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
From the beginning, the vision was simple: serve fresh, made-to-order meals cooked directly in front of customers while delivering an experience that stood apart from traditional food court dining. Through energy, showmanship, and quality, Sarku Japan quickly built a loyal customer following.
The early years required determination, long hours, and an unwavering belief in the brand. As the company grew throughout the Northeast, Florida, Texas, and eventually across the country, the founders stayed committed to the philosophy of Kaizen — continuous improvement. That mindset continues to shape how we operate today, from refining recipes and operations to investing in our people and guest experience.
Today, Sarku Japan has grown into a nationally recognized brand with locations across the United States, including shopping centers, street-front restaurants, and military bases. While we have grown significantly since 1987, our commitment to quality, teamwork, innovation, and growth remains at the center of everything we do.

Salary

$110000.00 - $150000.00 per year

Benefits

Bonus pay, Paid time off

Job Type

Full time