Food Service Manager

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) is a leading public research university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is part of the University of Wisconsin System, which is known for providing high-quality education and fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. UWM’s Dining and Retail Services Department operates as a self-managed dining venture on campus, with an $18 million annual operating budget. This department plays an essential role in supporting the campus community by offering a variety of high-quality food and retail services across multiple facilities. These include three dining locations, retail outlets in the Student Union, catering units, multiple Grind coffee shops, convenience stores, and concessions operations. The department is supported by a dynamic management team, approximately fifty permanent staff members, and over three hundred student employees, all working together to ensure excellent service and smooth operations across UWM’s vibrant campus.

The Food Service Manager position at UWM is a critical role within the Dining and Retail Services Department, specifically overseeing operations at Cambridge Commons—the department’s facility dedicated to providing high-quality dining experiences to students, faculty, and staff. Reporting directly to the Associate Director of Residential Dining Services, the Food Service Manager is responsible for managing daily food service operations, ensuring compliance with food safety and sanitation standards, and overseeing a diverse team including full-time, part-time, and student employees. With a focus on effective leadership and operational excellence, this role involves planning, coordinating, and delivering food and related services for regular operations and special events.

This role includes managing front-of-the-house activities such as food preparation and distribution, operating cash registers, monitoring inventory, and adhering to budgetary controls. The Food Service Manager will establish and oversee staff schedules, ensure consistent and outstanding customer service, and lead staff onboarding, training, and development programs. The position demands a highly organized and strategic individual who thrives in a dynamic environment, can adapt quickly to evolving operational needs, and is passionate about fostering a positive team culture and customer experience.

Beyond daily operations, the Food Service Manager will also handle administrative duties including payroll, budgeting, billing, sales tracking, and preparing financial and operational reports. This position requires close collaboration with vendors, health inspectors, and other stakeholders to maintain compliance and promote continuous improvement. The University offers a competitive salary range for this role, between $65,000 and $70,000 annually, along with benefits typical of a regular academic staff position within the university system.

Overall, the Food Service Manager at UWM plays a vital role in enhancing the campus dining experience by providing effective leadership, ensuring food quality and safety, optimizing operations, and building a motivated and engaged workforce made up of staff and students alike. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a reputable academic institution known for its commitment to community, diversity, and excellence in service.