Senior General Manager

Michigan Dining at the University of Michigan is a prominent dining service provider that operates nineteen on-campus cafes and markets, nine residential dining halls, the Michigan Bakeshop, and a dedicated Michigan Catering unit. With a workforce composed of 500 full-time employees and 1,300 student workers, Michigan Dining is committed to delivering creative, healthy, and nutritious foods. The department emphasizes international cuisines and sustainability across all dining operations, continuously striving to enhance the dining experience for their community. As the department grows, it prepares to open a new facility in the fall of 2026, which will expand opportunities and roles within the organization, including potential placement in either new or existing dining locations based on business needs.

The Dining Hall Senior Manager, also known as the Senior General Manager, position at Michigan Dining offers an exciting leadership opportunity for a seasoned food service professional. This full-time, exempt role is integral to ensuring an exceptional dining experience within a large residential dining facility serving over 25,000 meals weekly. Reporting to the organizational group Dsa Housing Services and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this position commands a salary range of $68,450 to $82,200, reflecting the responsibility and expertise required for the role.

The Senior General Manager leads and mentors a diverse team comprising professional, bargained-for, and student staff. This includes supervising approximately 12+ professional staff members, 75+ bargained-for staff, and over 125 student employees. The manager provides strategic and operational direction to all back-of-house and front-of-house personnel, ensuring alignment with the department's goals and University of Michigan's standards. Leadership responsibilities encompass setting clear performance expectations, conducting staff training and development sessions, and fostering an environment that supports inclusive excellence and student engagement.

Operational oversight includes guaranteeing the quality, presentation, and safety of all food served, maintaining compliance with health and sanitation standards such as HACCP, and ensuring all kitchen equipment and facilities remain fully operational. The manager actively supports continuous improvement initiatives by recommending new food concepts, programs, and services aimed at enhancing guest satisfaction.

Financial management is a critical aspect of this role, with the incumbent responsible for overseeing a substantial budget of at least $17 million. This includes monitoring food and labor costs, analyzing financial reports, projecting budgets, and aligning operational practices to meet fiscal objectives. Human resource management duties include recruitment, training, staff development, performance evaluation, and maintaining positive labor relations with AFSCME leadership and employees while ensuring compliance with bargaining agreements.

The role demands flexibility, requiring the ability to work evenings and weekends throughout the year, and the physical capacity to navigate a dynamic work environment involving extended periods of standing and lifting up to 30 pounds. Furthermore, the position is classified as critical, with expectations to be present during university emergency closures.

Successful candidates will hold a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, business administration, dietetics, nutrition, culinary arts, or a related field, or possess an equivalent combination of education and experience. They will have five to seven years of management experience, knowledge of culinary budget management, proficiency in basic computer applications, strong communication skills, and ServSafe certification within 60 days of hire. Desired qualifications include experience in high-volume college or university food service management, culinary experience, and expertise managing budgets exceeding $10 million and a bargained-for workforce.

In summary, the Senior General Manager role at Michigan Dining presents a challenging and rewarding career path for leaders passionate about food service excellence, operational management, and team development within a vibrant university community. This position not only offers a meaningful opportunity to influence the dining experience of thousands but also to contribute to a sustainable and innovative food service environment at one of the nation’s leading educational institutions.