DIRECTOR, DINING SERVICES - American Leadership Academy (ALA), Mesa, AZ

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:  $65,000 - $70,000

Other Forms of Compensation:  Medical, dental & vision insurance, 401K, PTO 

Chartwells K12's goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent. For more information, visit

Job Summary

Working as a Director of Dining Services , you will oversee dining operations for  American Leadsership Academy (ALA) located in Mesa, AZ.  You will oversee food operations for 11 schools serving approximately 10,000 students within a larger district account that supports 24 schools and 20,000 students. Reporting directly to the Resident District Manager, and a team of 4 salaried managers, you will lead an Assistant Director and a frontline team of approximately 45 associates while ensuring successful execution of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) . This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role requiring a strong operational presence in the schools, a commitment to food quality and service excellence, and the ability to build strong client relationships.

The ideal candidate will have experience managing large-scale K-12 food service operations, a thorough understanding of NSLP requirements , and a passion for developing teams. In addition to overseeing daily operations, you will support a growing catering program that ranges from simple meetings to high-profile events for district leaders, community stakeholders, and executive guests. Success in this role requires a leader who enjoys being in the kitchen and the units, coaching teams, driving operational performance, and delivering an exceptional dining experience for students and staff.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and inspire our team of 70 frontline associates.
• Drive strategic initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction and increase profitability.
• Recruit, train, and develop top talent within the organization.
• Own the annual budget and control costs optimally.
• Ensure adherence to quality, safety, and sanitation standards.
• Build strong relationships with clients, customers, and associates. 
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient functioning of a dining service operation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Nutrition/Management/Hospitality/Culinary preferred or equivalent experience.
• K12 food service management experience
• Five plus years of foodservice management experience.
• Strong knowledge of high-volume food production and (catering trends) is preferred.
• Previous P&L accountability or contract-managed services experience.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills.
• Proficiency in computer skills.

Apply to Chartwells Schools today!

Chartwells Schools is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer.  At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. 

Chartwells K-12 maintains a drug-free workplace.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Associates at Chartwells K-12  are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

- usa.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_ChartwellsK12.pdf

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details:  

Req ID: 1555120

Chartwells K12 

KRISTEN STROHMYER

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