Food Service Director

Santa Monica, CA, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $90,000.00 - $95,000.00

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Benefits

Medical

Dental

Vision

retirement plans

Paid Time Off

Parental leave

Disability Coverage

Job Description

Aramark is a global leader in food services, facilities management, and uniform services, proudly serving millions of guests daily across 15 countries. As a company rooted in service and united by a clear purpose, Aramark strives to deliver exceptional experiences for its clients, partners, employees, communities, and the planet. Known for fostering an inclusive work environment that values diversity and offers equal employment opportunities, Aramark is committed to empowering employees, supporting their professional growth, and cultivating talent so they can reach their full potential. Whether you are seeking new challenges, a sense of belonging, or a great place to develop your career, Aramark provides a supportive and dynamic workplace environment that encourages innovation and excellence.

The Food Service Director role at Aramark is a critical management position responsible for leading the dining operations to meet customer needs and preferences. This position involves overseeing a dining environment where customers order prepared foods from a menu, ensuring smooth operations aligned with the company’s standards and frameworks. The Food Service Director will lead, mentor, and engage a team while fostering development and performance optimization through recruiting, training, coaching, and performance management. With a salary range of $90,000 to $95,000, this role blends leadership, financial management, and operational excellence to deliver outstanding food service experiences. The Food Service Director will be tasked with client relationship management, ensuring effective communication and aligning service delivery with client expectations. Managing budgets and revenue, driving cost controls around food, beverage, and labor, and maintaining P&L statements are vital components of the role. The Director will be instrumental in enforcing safety and sanitation regulations, maintaining compliance with health, wage, and hour laws, and ensuring a safe environment for employees and customers alike. Additionally, this position requires overseeing inventory management, menu planning, operational forecasts, and staff scheduling. The Food Service Director also plays a strategic role in business growth through sales support, contract negotiation participation, and exploring new products or services for client retention. This leadership position demands a hands-on approach along with a vision for sustainable food service aligned with client missions. Aramark offers comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision coverage, retirement plans like 401(k), paid time off such as parental leave, disability coverage, and extensive work/life resources. This role is suited for experienced food service professionals ready to embrace a leadership challenge within a reputable global company that values growth, compliance, and operational excellence.

Job Requirements

Requires at least 4 years of experience
Requires at least 1-3 years of experience in a management role
Previous experience in food service
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
Physical ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 lb
Ability to stand for extended periods

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 connects 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 can explain variances
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, to include sustainable practices