Food Service Director

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
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Work Schedule

Standard Hours
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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Employee assistance program
Training and Development
career advancement

Job Description

Aramark is a global leader in food services and facilities management, proudly serving millions of guests daily across 15 countries. Rooted deeply in a service-oriented mission, Aramark is committed to making a positive impact on its employees, clients, communities, and the planet. The company places a high emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring every employee enjoys equal employment opportunities and a welcoming work environment regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, or other protected characteristics. Aramark believes in fostering an empowering workplace where employees can grow their talents, fuel their passions, and advance professionally. Aramark is known for its innovative food services and commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and client satisfaction across various dining and venue contexts.

The Food Service Director role at Aramark is a pivotal management position responsible for overseeing and directing dining operations where customers order prepared meals from a menu. This role requires a dynamic leader who can develop and execute innovative dining solutions that meet diverse customer tastes and needs while ensuring alignment with Aramark's Executional Framework. The Food Service Director leads a team by recruiting, mentoring, training, and managing performance to maximize productivity and service excellence. This position entails maintaining safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance in all operations alongside managing financial and operational effectiveness, including budgeting, revenue growth, cost controls, and labor management.

As a Food Service Director, you will spearhead the front-of-house operations of dining facilities such as cafeterias or residential dining areas. Your responsibilities will include menu planning, food ordering, receiving, preparation, and ensuring high-quality service delivery. You will manage resources efficiently, handle inventory, and maintain records that satisfy company and governmental standards. This role demands a strong orientation towards client relationship management, with the ability to identify client needs, communicate operational progress, and support business growth through innovative food and service solutions.

Operational excellence is critical in this role, involving adherence to Aramark's labor and food initiatives, ensuring full compliance with safety regulations, and supporting sustainable food service practices aligned with the client's mission. The Food Service Director will also participate in sales processes and contract negotiations where applicable, seeking opportunities to implement new products and services to enhance client retention and satisfaction. Through leadership, strategic vision, and operational expertise, the Food Service Director plays an essential role in delivering exceptional food experiences while contributing to Aramark’s overall success and reputation in the food services industry.

Job Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
  • Minimum 4 years of relevant experience
  • Minimum 1-3 years in a management role
  • Previous experience in food service
  • Strong communication skills
  • Ability to maintain client and customer rapport
  • Ability to provide excellent customer service
  • Ability to work effectively with other departments
  • Physical ability to lift up to 50 lb occasionally
  • Ability to stand for extended periods
  • Compliance with safety and health regulations

Job Qualifications

  • Requires at least 4 years of experience
  • Requires at least 1-3 years of experience in a management role
  • Requires previous experience in food service
  • Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
  • Strong communication skills
  • Ability to develop and maintain effective client and customer rapport for mutually beneficial business relationships
  • Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service using Aramark's standard model
  • Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with other departments to a unified food service experience for all customers
  • Requires occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lb
  • Must be able to stand for extended periods of time

Job Duties

  • Lead, mentor, engage and develop teams to maximize their contributions, including recruiting, assessing, training, coaching and managing performance
  • Ensure food services appropriately connect to the Executional Framework
  • Coach employees by creating a shared understanding about what needs to be achieved and how to execute
  • Reward and recognize employees
  • Ensure safety and sanitation standards in all operations
  • Identify client needs and effectively communicate operational progress
  • Adopt Aramark process and systems
  • Build revenue and manage budget, including cost controls regarding food, beverage and labor
  • Ensure the completion and maintenance of P&L statements
  • Achieve food and labor targets
  • Manage resources to ensure quality and cost control within budgetary guidelines
  • Implement and maintain Aramark agenda for both labor and food initiatives
  • Create value through efficient operations, appropriate cost controls and profit management
  • Full compliance with Operational Excellence fundamentals, including food and labor
  • Direct and oversee operations related to production, distribution and food service
  • Maintain a safe and healthy environment for clients, customers and employees
  • Comply with all applicable policies, rules and regulations, including but not limited to those relating to safety, health, wage and hour
  • Establish and maintain systems and procedures for the ordering, receiving, storing, preparing and serving of food related products, as well as menu planning and development
  • Develop operational component forecasts and explain variances
  • Ensure requirements for appropriate sanitation and safety levels in respective areas are met
  • Coordinate and supervise unit personnel regarding production, merchandising, quality and cost control, labor management and employee training
  • Recruit, hire, develop and retain front line team
  • Conduct period inventory
  • Maintain records to comply with ARAMARK, government and accrediting agency standards
  • Interact with Client Management and maintain effective client and customer relations at all levels with client organization
  • Participate in sales process and negotiation of contracts
  • Look for opportunities to implement new products and services which support sales growth and client retention
  • Manage the front of the house of the dining operation (Cafeteria/Residential Dining Facility)
  • Develop and implement food service plans aligned with the client's mission and vision, including sustainable practices

Job Criteria

Experience

Mid Level (3-7 years)


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