FOOD UNIT LEAD

Gulfport, MS, USA|Onsite

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Hourly

Exact $15.00

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Day Shifts

Benefits

Retirement Plan

Associate Shopping Program

Health and wellness programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet insurance

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance/AD

Disability insurance

Commuter Benefits

Employee assistance program

flexible spending accounts

Job Description

Compass Group is a leading global foodservice company known for its commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability within the foodservice industry. As a widely respected enterprise, Compass Group operates multiple brands and services, including Chartwells K12, which specializes in delivering nutritious and enjoyable dining experiences in educational settings across the United States. Chartwells K12 serves more than 4,300 schools from large public districts to small charter and private institutions, focusing on the health and happiness of students by offering meals they love and customized dining programs. The company employs over 16,000 associates dedicated to culinary excellence, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability, ensuring a positive and inclusive workplace culture dedicated to diversity of thought and inclusion.

This particular opening is for a full-time Food Unit Lead position located at Long Beach School District in Long Beach, Mississippi. This role is designed for individuals with a strong background in food service, especially within K12 settings, who are ready to take on leadership responsibilities in a dynamic school cafeteria environment. The position offers a fixed pay rate of $15.00 per hour and operates on a Monday through Friday schedule from 6:00 am to 2:30 pm. The company welcomes online applications exclusively and provides an internal employee referral bonus, encouraging current employees to participate in recruitment efforts.

As a Food Unit Lead, you will coordinate and supervise the activities of food-service employees to ensure an efficient and enjoyable dining experience for students, staff, and visitors. The role involves overseeing food preparation and service, maintaining sanitation and safety standards, planning menus, and managing inventory and cash handling. The Food Unit Lead will be instrumental in fostering a positive environment by training staff, handling customer feedback promptly, and ensuring compliance with company policies and government regulations. This role requires someone who is detail-oriented, proactive, and passionate about delivering high-quality food service in a school setting. The ideal candidate will have prior supervisory experience in a K12 food service environment and a genuine interest in contributing to the well-being and satisfaction of school communities.

Joining Chartwells K12 through Compass Group means becoming part of a vibrant team focused on positive nourishment and educational support. The organization offers a variety of benefits to both full-time and part-time associates, including retirement plans, health and wellness programs, and unique voluntary benefits such as pet insurance and identity theft protection. Full-time employees additionally receive comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts, and access to employee assistance programs. Compass Group strives to provide an inclusive, fair, and supportive work environment where all employees can thrive and grow professionally while making a meaningful impact on young learners' daily lives.

Job Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Previous food service and kitchen supervisory experience preferred
Ability to work Monday through Friday from 6:00 am to 2:30 pm
Strong organizational skills
Ability to handle multiple tasks effectively
Good communication skills
Ability to comply with safety and sanitation standards
Willingness to perform physical tasks associated with food service
Ability to work in a team environment
Legal authorization to work in the United States

Job Qualifications

Previous food service and kitchen supervisory experience in a K12 setting is preferred
Ability to lead and train foodservice staff effectively
Strong knowledge of food safety and sanitation standards
Experience with inventory and cash handling procedures
Excellent customer service and communication skills
Ability to plan and coordinate work schedules and workflow
Proficient in using reporting systems for food production, inventory, payroll, and timekeeping

Job Duties

Provides quality customer service by providing one-on-one attention to detail
Oversees and participates in the preparation and service of food and beverage items in accordance with company standards for presentation, sanitation, safety and portion control
Helps plan menus
Ensures timely, efficient meal service
supervises serving of meals
Responds to customer complaints in person at the time of the complaint and via email for electronic complaints
Trains employees
assigns and coordinates work of employees to promote efficiency and excellence in food and service
Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules and expedites work flow
Uses proper systems for completion of required daily/weekly/monthly reports such as inventory-cash reports-production records, payroll and time- keeping
Responsible for proper cash handling as established by the Food Accounting Manual (deposits - petty cash - change funds)
Orders food and other necessary supplies from approved sources or purveyors
Directs and participates in the overall sanitation and safety of the facility and employees in accordance with company standards and government regulations
Develops sanitation schedule and ensures food-service employees adhere to the schedule for cleaning of kitchen and dining area and washing of kitchen utensils and equipment
Issues written and oral instructions
Help select and orient employees
oversees staff training in areas of responsibility
Performs other duties as assigned