Dining Services Manager

The University of Arizona, located in Tucson, AZ, is a renowned public research university offering a wide range of academic programs and campus services. Among its many departments, the Arizona Student Unions play a significant role in providing enriching campus experiences by managing social, dining, and recreational facilities that serve a diverse student body and university community. The Student Unions department is committed to delivering exceptional service and support, enriching student life, and fostering community engagement within its dynamic campus environment.

The Dining Services Manager position at the University of Arizona is a pivotal role within the Arizona Student Unions, based on the Tucson campus. This full-time, exempt managerial role is responsible for overseeing a large dining unit that includes bar service, ensuring operational excellence and superior customer experience. Reporting directly to the Assistant Director of Dining, the Dining Services Manager supervises a multidisciplinary team that includes cooks, bartenders, dining services attendants, cashiers, and sanitation personnel. This leadership role entails a broad scope of responsibilities covering front-of-house and back-of-house operations with a strong focus on maintaining high standards of food quality, safety, sanitation, and budget control.

The manager must demonstrate deep knowledge of food cost control, menu production, food service equipment, and supply management, utilizing this expertise to optimize ordering, receiving, and inventory functions. Key financial responsibilities include managing labor and food costs, budgeting, and profit and loss development, all while adhering to institutional and departmental policies regarding cash handling and security. Additionally, the manager plays an integral role in workforce management, including staff hiring, training, scheduling, counseling, and performance evaluation, fostering a professional and service-oriented work culture.

This position demands flexibility in working hours, as the manager must be available to work days, evenings, weekends, and holidays to meet the needs of the unit. The successful candidate will further enhance the dining facility’s service orientation through continuous improvement and innovation in customer service practices. The role involves direct communication with staff and management to maintain operational effectiveness and promptly address quality or customer service issues.

The University of Arizona offers outstanding benefits to its employees, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans, life insurance, disability programs, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, and tuition reduction opportunities for employees and qualified family members at the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University. Additionally, employees have access to campus recreational and cultural activities, retirement plans, and innovative work-life balance programs.

This is an excellent career opportunity for a seasoned professional in culinary and dining services management who is passionate about delivering excellent customer service and efficient operations within a prominent university hospitality environment. With a competitive salary range of $47,356 to $59,195 annually for full-time employment, this role offers both professional growth and stability at a respected public institution dedicated to community and student success.