Director of Car Wash Operations

Direct message the job poster from Surf Thru Express

Surf Thru Express Car Wash is seeking a results-driven Director of Car Wash Operations
. This is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the executive team with full responsibility for operational performance across a growing, multi-state express car wash platform.
This is an onsite role in Bakersfield, CA with travel required (up to 50%) to all locations.

The Director of Car Wash Operations is expected to own outcomes, not manage tasks. This role requires a self-directed, high-execution leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, proactively identifies opportunities, and brings new ideas, solutions, and improvements to ownership without being asked.

This is not a maintenance role. We are seeking a leader who builds, improves, and scales operations, not one who requires day-to-day management.

• Full ownership of operational performance across all locations, including wash quality, customer experience, labor efficiency, safety, and profitability
• Proactively identify operational weaknesses and opportunities; develop and implement solutions without requiring executive direction
• Lead, develop, and hold accountable all regional and site leadership; build a culture of execution, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Drive innovation in processes, systems, training, and performance management; regularly present new ideas and recommendations to the executive team
• Establish and enforce operating standards while continuously raising the bar for performance and consistency
• Act as the final decision-maker for operational issues and escalations, resolving problems quickly and decisively
• Conduct frequent multi-state site visits to assess performance, coach leaders, and personally validate standards
• Lead operational planning, KPI reviews, and performance accountability meetings with a focus on measurable results
• Partner with executive leadership to support growth, new site openings, integrations, and scalability initiatives
• Lead the organization through change, growth, and increasing operational complexity without creating dependency on ownership

• Ownership does not need to manage day-to-day operations
• Performance issues are identified and addressed before they reach the executive level
• Regional and site leaders are strong, accountable, and improving
• KPIs trend positively across quality, labor, membership, safety, and profitability
• The Director consistently brings well-thought-out ideas and initiatives to ownership, backed by data and execution plans

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, or related field; advanced degrees or certifications a plus
• 8–10+ years leading multi-site operations, ideally in express car wash, retail, QSR, or another high-volume service business
• Demonstrated history of building and scaling operations, not just maintaining them
• Proven ability to operate independently, prioritize effectively, and execute without close supervision
• Track record of developing leaders and creating accountability at scale
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate data into action
• Excellent communication skills with the confidence to challenge assumptions and influence executive leadership
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 50% across operating locations

• Leaders who require frequent direction or close management
• Operators focused primarily on maintaining the status quo
• Candidates uncomfortable being fully accountable for results
• Managers who escape problems without proposing solutions

This role offers the opportunity to run operations at scale, partner directly with ownership, and materially impact the performance and growth of a multi-state platform. For the right leader, this position provides significant influence, autonomy, and upside.

• Full-time

Salary range is between $150,000 and $175,000, with opportunities to earn additional compensation through bonuses that could bring total earnings up to $225,000 per year.

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

• Director

• Full-time

• Management and Manufacturing
• Consumer Services

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