Director Of Operations (Food Service)- Higher Education

ABOUT GENUINE FOODS

At Genuine Foods we create nourishing food environments at schools and workplaces through great-tasting and wholesome meals, made from genuine ingredients. We are a growing social enterprise that uses food to enhance health, productivity and happiness. We believe that fresh, scratch-made food together with unparalleled service and meaningful enrichment programs can transform lives and build community. Food service management is what we do, but what we achieve together with our customers, our partners and our dedicated team goes beyond the plate.

ABOUT THIS POSITION

The Director of Operations will lead a cross-functional team and oversee multiple Higher Education dining accounts throughout the continental United States.? This role will provide overall planning and direction within Higher Education locations to achieve operations and financial goals, comply with all applicable regulations, maintain strong client relationships, manage staff and ensure Genuine Foods continuously support our communities in our dynamic environment.

This role reports to the Vice President of Higher Education.

This position will require 75-80% overnight travel across the continental United States.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead, manage, and inspire a diverse team of Site Leads/Food Service Directors and their teams to ensure top quality food and customer service is being served at each location.
• Drive and develop self and team to build strong relationships with clients and achieve KPIs (profitability, safety, engagement, etc.).
• Communicate with the leadership team and peers to share best practices, mitigate risks, champion diversity, and build community.
• Manage accounts in assignment and ensure decisions are weighed for risk/reward and short/long term implications.
• Support senior leadership in setting the Genuine cultural tone in division; meet regularly with team and partners to ensure full transparency, understanding, safety, and accountability.
• Serve as the representative/brand ambassador of the Genuine Foods team at assigned accounts; attend client and community engagement events as needed.
• Collaborate with the Sales, Human Resources, Culinary and Finance teams on sales proforma and proposal development; participates in full sales and retention process including onsite presentations, negotiations and contract review and implementation;
• Assist location managers in employee selection and performance management; communicate any to HR any employee issues or staffing needs;
• Collaborate with partners to support the needs of the locations and division and solve problems by thinking through all angles and downstream impacts.
• Ensure compliance with applicable USDA, regional, state, and local policies governing meal and retail programs, along with safety and QA requirements; conduct audits and offer solutions for improvement.
• Champion development, performance evaluations, succession planning, and have focus on building single- and multi-unit management skills; have full understanding of all roles within operation; support team with tools and systems.
• Own financial results and P&L for districts in assigned area and work with leadership to ensure accuracy in reporting, forecasting, and budgeting.
• All other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 5 years progressive experience in Higher Education multi-unit foodservice.
• Strong background in a leadership role with exposure to contract/budget management, customer service, people development, Food Services, negotiations, etc.
• Have a proven track record and knowledge of growing a business, along with solid business and financial acumen.
• Previous experience in managing a portfolio of at least $10 million.
• The ability to think quickly, analytically, strategically, and accurately.
• Show expert client relationship, influencing, presentation, listening, and communications (written and verbal) skills.
• Champions the inclusion mindset, and is proactive, positive, professional, flexible, and resilient
• Demonstrates initiative, ownership, multitasking, prioritization, and organization skills
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Suite and other computer skills.

Benefits and Perks:

• Health and retirement benefits
• Paid time off, Holiday Pay
• 401K
• Performance-based bonuses
• Growth Opportunities

GENUINE VALUES

Trustworthiness: Integrity. Transparency. Reliability. Consistency. Best quality possible. Delivery excellence.

Personal accountability: Ownership in solving problems. No excuses. Never compromising. Learn from mistakes. Financial stewardship of the bottom line (ours and customers’), without sacrificing quality.

People first: Human centered solutions/approach. Whole person. Teamwork. Hospitality. Every single person matters. Humanity. Empathy. Meeting people where they are. Culturally responsive.

Entrepreneurial: Adaptable. Nimble. Go the extra mile. Responsive. Encouraged to try new things.

Genuine: Real, tasty, scratch-cooked healthy food. Strive for the highest quality, freshest and tastiest product at the price customers can afford. Authentic interactions. Honest. Positive. Proven. Professional.