Food Service Director

Houston, TX, USA|

Job Overview

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plan

Employee Discounts

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Job Description

Aramark is a global leader in food service, facilities, and uniform services, proudly serving millions of guests every day across 15 countries. With a deep commitment to service, Aramark's mission is rooted in doing great things for their employees, partners, communities, and the planet. The company fosters an inclusive workplace where every individual is valued and given equal employment opportunities regardless of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Aramark believes in nurturing talent, encouraging professional growth, and empowering its workforce to achieve their fullest potential. Their strong emphasis on community, sustainability, and innovation makes them a preferred employer for those seeking a rewarding career in the service industry.

The Food Service Director at Aramark is a pivotal management role responsible for developing and executing dining solutions tailored to meet diverse customer needs and preferences. This position oversees dining operations where customers order prepared foods from a menu, ensuring an exceptional food service experience. The Food Service Director leads and mentors teams to optimize their performance through recruitment, training, coaching, and motivation. They ensure compliance with safety and sanitation standards while maintaining efficient and cost-effective operations. Financial oversight includes budget management, cost control, and achieving food and labor targets. The role also involves inventory management, menu planning, and maintaining client relationships to align food service offerings with client expectations and business objectives.

This leadership position demands strategic thinking to implement operational frameworks that promote quality, productivity, and growth. The Food Service Director collaborates with client management, participates in sales processes, and explores opportunities for introducing new products and services to enhance customer satisfaction and client retention. They oversee the front-of-house dining operations, including cafeterias or residential dining facilities, and develop sustainable food service plans that reflect the client’s mission and vision. Working at Aramark means embracing flexibility, continuous learning, and contributing positively to the organization’s success and the communities served.

Aramark values strong communication skills and the ability to build effective rapport with clients and customers, ensuring a unified food service experience. The role requires a hands-on approach, with physical stamina to stand for extended periods and perform physical tasks when necessary. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience, with at least four years in food service and one to three years in a management role. The Food Service Director will be instrumental in shaping the dining experience and operational excellence at Aramark, driving both customer satisfaction and business performance.

Job Requirements

Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
Minimum 4 years of experience in food service
At least 1-3 years experience in a management role
Strong communication skills
Ability to build and maintain effective client and customer relationships
Ability to provide excellent customer service following company standards
Ability to work collaboratively with other departments
Physical ability to lift up to 50 lb occasionally
Ability to stand for long 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
Develops operational component forecasts and can explain variances
Coordinates and supervises unit personnel regarding production, merchandising, quality and cost control, labor management and employee training
Recruits, hires, develops and retains front line team
Conducts period inventory
Maintains records to comply with ARAMARK, government and accrediting agency standards
Interacts with Client Management and maintains effective client and customer relations at all levels with client organization
May participate in sales process and negotiation of contracts
Looks 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