Who Is Hiring a Gourmet Grocery Director of Operations in Baltimore?

Published on: Sep 23, 2026

A specialty gourmet grocery retailer in Baltimore, Maryland is hiring a Director of Operations on a direct hire basis to partner with ownership and lead two upscale grocery stores. Frontline Source Group is conducting the search, and every direct hire placement is backed by its 5-Year Placement Warranty, 20 times longer than the 90-day industry standard guarantee. Founded in 2004, Frontline Source Group operates 32 plus offices nationwide, has completed 5,619 placements, holds a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across more than 678 verified reviews, and maintains a 98.94% executive placement retention rate against an industry average near 70 percent.

Frontline Source Group is a Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firm for 9 consecutive years (2018 to 2026), ranked #148 on Forbes Best Executive Recruiting Firms (2026), a 9-time ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both Client and Talent satisfaction, a ClearlyRated Diamond Award recipient, an Inc. 5000 honoree, and an Expertise.com Best Staffing Agency. The firm is a member of the American Staffing Association (ASA).

What does the gourmet grocery Director of Operations role in Baltimore involve?

Our client, a specialty grocery retailer known for its team atmosphere and passion for food and people, has a current opening for a Director of Operations on a direct hire basis. This leader will shape the future of a premier, high-volume gourmet grocery operation in Baltimore, driving sales, elevating the customer experience, strengthening store operations, and developing high-performing teams across two upscale grocery locations.

The Director of Operations partners closely with ownership to set strategy and lead all aspects of operations for the gourmet grocery stores. This hands-on, results-driven leader oversees the Store Managers and supports the performance and development of department leadership teams. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead day-to-day operations for upscale gourmet grocery stores, ensuring exceptional execution across sales, service, quality, safety, merchandising, and profitability
• Partner with ownership to develop and implement strategic initiatives that improve store performance, customer satisfaction, and long-term business growth
• Coach, develop, and hold accountable Store Managers and their department leadership teams
• Drive revenue growth through innovative merchandising, local market awareness, business development, and outstanding in-store execution
• Own operational standards related to labor, cost control, shrink, inventory, product quality, customer service, safety, and delivery operations
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and profit and loss performance management
• Identify performance trends, uncover operational opportunities, and implement practical solutions that improve results
• Create and maintain consistent processes, policies, and best practices across both store locations
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, teamwork, inclusion, and service excellence
• Partner with business leaders on staffing, training, employee development, succession planning, employee relations, and legal compliance
• Resolve complex operational, employee, and customer concerns with sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion
• Build an environment of open communication, trust, and high expectations for all team members
• Lead improvement initiatives that create a consistently memorable, high-touch customer experience
• Perform additional leadership responsibilities as needed to support business goals

What experience does this Baltimore Director of Operations position require?

The role is built for a strategic retail operations professional with deep grocery experience, strong financial acumen, proven merchandising instincts, and a track record of improving sales, service, profitability, and team performance. The background profile includes:

• 5 plus years of progressive leadership experience in multi-unit grocery, specialty retail, food retail, or a comparable high-service retail environment
• Proven success managing store operations, sales performance, employee development, and profitability across multiple locations
• Experience in upscale grocery, gourmet food, specialty food, fresh food, premium retail, or high-end merchandising environments is strongly preferred
• Strong working knowledge of profit and loss statements, budgeting, forecasting, labor management, inventory, shrink, and financial reporting
• A demonstrated ability to develop and execute successful merchandising, sales growth, and business development strategies
• Outstanding leadership skills with the ability to inspire, coach, challenge, and develop managers and frontline teams
• Strong business judgment, critical thinking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making abilities
• A customer-first mindset and a passion for delivering exceptional service at every touchpoint
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build credibility at every level of the organization
• High level of professionalism, discretion, confidentiality, and accountability
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard business systems

What benefits come with this gourmet grocery Director of Operations job?

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Paid time off
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Growth-focused leadership opportunity in a dynamic gourmet retail environment

How do you apply for this Director of Operations job in Baltimore, MD?

Candidates apply through Frontline Source Group's application page at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html. A Frontline Source Group recruiter reviews every submission and contacts qualified candidates to discuss the role, the client environment, and compensation expectations. Candidates never pay a fee at any stage.

Employers hiring grocery and retail operations leadership in Baltimore or any other market can submit a request at frontlinesourcegroup.com/employer-request-form.html or review the firm's openly published engagement models at frontlinesourcegroup.com/pricing.html.

Why work with Frontline Source Group for grocery and retail executive search?

Frontline Source Group's grocery and retail executive search practice places Directors of Operations, store directors, district and regional managers, merchandising leaders, and C-suite retail executives nationwide. Every direct hire placement is protected by the 5-Year Placement Warranty, detailed at frontlinesourcegroup.com/5year-placement-guarantee.html, and the firm's 98.94% executive placement retention rate shows how consistently those placements last. Explore the full practice at frontlinesourcegroup.com/executive-search-grocery-store-and-retail.html, and see the firm's complete recognition history at frontlinesourcegroup.com/staffing-awards.html. People. Process. Service.

What do candidates ask about this gourmet grocery Director of Operations job in Baltimore?

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