Dining Assistant Manager

The University of Texas at Austin is a prestigious public research university known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovative research, and community service. Located on the UT Main Campus, the University Housing and Dining department plays a vital role in enhancing the campus life experience by providing high-quality dining services to students, faculty, and visitors. University Housing and Dining (UHD) is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of food safety, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency while fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all guests. With a focus on continuous growth, professional development, and sustainability, UHD supports a dynamic team of professionals who contribute to the university's overall mission of fostering educational success and campus engagement.

The Dining Assistant Manager position is a full-time role with a weekly schedule of 40 hours, designed to support the daily operations of a large residential dining facility or dining retail unit under the direction of the General Manager. This role demands a hands-on leader who excels in managing service delivery, staff coordination, and operational oversight to ensure a seamless dining experience for all patrons. The Assistant Manager will be an essential part of the team, focusing on everything from food quality, safety, and sanitation compliance to supervising a diverse team of full-time, part-time, student, and temporary employees. The position is ideal for candidates who are passionate about food service management and eager to contribute to a positive, customer-centric culture aligned with UHD 5-Star standards. The role also offers a competitive salary starting at $58,000 plus additional compensation based on qualifications and experience.

Key responsibilities include overseeing daily service operations to uphold food safety and quality standards, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal food safety regulations, and maintaining the proper sanitation practices specific to university housing dining facilities. The Assistant Manager will play a leadership role by being the manager-on-duty during assigned shifts, providing real-time direction on floor operations, coordinating between kitchen and service staff, resolving service issues promptly, and supporting timely meal service delivery.

Additionally, this position involves collaborative efforts with culinary teams to ensure excellent food presentation and customer satisfaction. The Assistant Manager will conduct weekly inventory checks, monitor supply levels, and assist with financial management aspects such as food costs, labor control, and inventory accuracy. Utilizing tools like the FoodPro food production system, they will help forecast orders, plan production, and implement cost-control measures that align with the department’s budget.

A critical component of the role includes team leadership and development. The Assistant Manager is responsible for promoting a respectful and accountable team culture, providing on-the-job coaching and feedback, assisting with hiring and training processes, scheduling, and driving performance reviews. They are expected to set clear performance and behavior expectations while modeling the highest professional standards.

The university values transparency, equal opportunity, and compliance with legal standards. This includes mandatory background checks for finalists, observance of equal employment opportunity laws, and strict adherence to employment eligibility verification and pay transparency policies. Employees in this role will be required to complete requisite training related to food safety, cash handling, and maintain certifications relevant to their duties.

Emerging candidates will find a fulfilling career path within a supportive and diverse workplace culture that offers considerable benefits such as fully employer-paid basic medical coverage, retirement contributions, paid vacation and holidays, free transportation, and professional development opportunities. Work conditions may include exposure to various weather conditions, usage of personal protective equipment, and physical activity like climbing stairs and manual dexterity tasks. Shift times and locations may vary to meet business operational needs.

Ultimately, the Dining Assistant Manager will play an integral role in upholding the university’s commitment to providing exceptional dining services that enhance the campus community's overall experience. They will be a key ambassador of UHD values, ensuring that every guest receives five-star service and that team members thrive in a supportive, collaborative, and efficient working environment.