Food Service Director

WHO ARE WE?
We've been serving Canadian clients for over 75 years. The companies that began independently and now form Dexterra Group have an outstanding record of supporting the infrastructure and built assets that play a vital role in our society and helping our clients achieve higher performance and productivity. Powered by passionate people, we bring the right teams with the right skills together – offering both experience and regional expertise so companies can operate their day to day, confidently and successfully.

WHAT'S THE JOB?

A Food Service Director in higher education is responsible for overseeing the dining operations within campus residential facilities, ensuring quality service, food safety, and a positive dining experience for students, faculty, and staff. All job responsibilities below are based on compliance with both corporate and franchise brand expectations and standards.

• Operations Management:
  • Supervise daily dining operations within residence halls, ensuring efficiency and smooth service.
  • Manage staffing, scheduling, and workflow to meet operational needs during peak hours.
  • Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards
• Team Leadership:
  • Hire, train, and manage dining staff, including cooks, servers, and custodial personnel.
  • Foster a positive working environment that promotes teamwork, communication, and collaboration.
  • Conduct performance evaluations, provide ongoing feedback, and address disciplinary issues as needed.
• Menu Planning and Food Quality:
  • Collaborate with the Executive Chef or Head Chef to plan menus that meet nutritional guidelines and cater to diverse dietary needs.
  • Oversee food preparation to ensure high-quality standards are maintained.
  • Monitor inventory levels, and work with vendors to procure ingredients and supplies.
• Customer Service:
  • Ensure exceptional customer service is delivered consistently to all students and guests.
  • Respond to customer feedback, addressing complaints and resolving service issues promptly.
  • Conduct surveys or other feedback mechanisms to continuously improve the dining experience.
• Budget and Financial Management:
  • Manage the budget for residence dining operations, including labor costs, food costs, and equipment.
  • Monitor financial performance and implement cost-control measures where necessary.
  • Develop and implement strategies for increasing revenue and optimizing operational efficiency.
• Special Events and Programming:
  • Coordinate dining services for special events, such as banquets, themed dinners, and university-sponsored programs.
  • Support student activities, clubs, or organizations by providing dining options that align with their events.
• Sustainability and Innovation:
  • Promote sustainability initiatives, such as waste reduction, recycling, and local food sourcing.
  • Implement innovative dining trends and technologies, such as mobile ordering, to enhance the dining experience.
• Health and Wellness Initiatives:
  • Support campus health and wellness programs by offering nutritionally balanced meals.
• Other duties as assigned

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in food service management, preferably in a higher education or institutional setting.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and dining operations best practices.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills.
• Budgeting and financial management experience.
• Experience with sustainability initiatives in dining services.
• Familiarity with dietary restrictions and creating inclusive dining environments.
• Proficiency in using dining management software or systems.

This role often involves long hours, especially during peak mealtimes, and requires strong leadership skills to manage both the front- and back-of-house operations efficiently.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Security - in a time when other companies are downsizing, we are growing
• Very competitive compensation package
• Advancement opportunities
• Be #1 on day 1 by joining an industry leader

Dexterra Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veterans’ status, Indigenous status, or any other legally protected factors. Disability-related accommodations during the hiring selection process are available upon request.

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