Director of Food Service and Catering -Concordia Seminary - CLAYTON, MO

Position Title: DIR, DINING SERVICES -Concordia Seminary - CLAYTON, MO

Salary: 65,000-75,000

Other Forms of Compensation: relocation assistance

Fresh Ideas Management is a dynamic food service management company that believes good food is a powerful thing. Food brings people together and food creates memories.

Fresh Ideas encourages creativity by creating fun working environments for our teams! Our diverse teams enjoy a workplace where creativity, openness and innovation flow free and new, Fresh Ideas are encouraged. Our team-members are excited about creating delicious, unique and engaging dining experiences for our guests.

Fresh Ideas offers a full benefits package, flexible schedules that respect one of our core values, work life balance, and ongoing training and development opportunities. This, along with our rapid growth, means accelerated promotion opportunities for every motivated Fresh Ideas team member!

Job Summary

FRESH IDEAS is hiring an energetic and growth-minded Director of Food Service and Catering on the campus of CONCORDIA SEMINARY in the beautiful suburb of CLAYTON, MO. In this operations role, you will manage and lead a team of employees and you will be responsible for managing the food service account, client relationships, and talent development.

Living in Clayton, Missouri, offers a sophisticated "urban-suburban" blend, serving as both a major regional business hub and a premier residential community. It is widely considered one of the most desirable places to live in the St. Louis area and consistently ranks as one of the safest communities in Missouri. Shaw Park is the city’s centerpiece, featuring an aquatic center, an outdoor ice rink, and extensive trails. Clayton is widely recognized as one of the premier culinary destinations in the St. Louis region. The food scene is generally characterized by an upscale, sophisticated, and professional atmosphere that mirrors its status as a major business hub, yet it maintains pockets of neighborhood charm. There is a strong emphasis on European-inspired cuisine, with a vast selection of traditional and modern Italian, French, and Mediterranean options. You will also find diverse global flavors including Spanish tapas, contemporary Asian fusion, and specialized sushi restaurants.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversees all P&L and budgeting as it pertains to the account
• Maintains excellent relationships with the client
• Works with the Chef and management team in creating nutritious and top quality food for the students
• Implements new culinary programs in conjunction with the Company marketing and culinary teams
• Lead and oversee all catering events, ensuring seamless execution from planning through completion.
• Manage catering operations, including event logistics, quality assurance, sanitation, facility operations, and compliance with foodservice standards.
• Collaborate with the Chef to develop and execute catering menus that meet client needs, event requirements, and budget expectations.
• Train and coach catering associates on service techniques, menu presentation, hospitality, customer service, and event procedures.
• Monitor and manage labor and food costs for each event to ensure operational efficiency and profitability.
• Communicate effectively with management, clients, customers, and associates to coordinate event details and resolve concerns promptly.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships by delivering exceptional service and consistently exceeding expectations.
• Assist with the oversight of all foodservice-related activities, ensuring high standards of food quality, safety, sanitation, and presentation.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements and implement practices that enhance service quality and efficiency.
• Acts as a liaison between the Company, Client, and the community

Preferred Qualifications:

• BS Hospitality degree preferred
• Three to five years of foodservice management experience required
• Contract dining experience preferred
• Extensive Catering
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Financial and business acumen
• Excellent communication skills

About Compass Group: Achieving leadership in the foodservice industry

Associates at Fresh Ideas are offered many fantastic benefits.

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

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.

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.

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

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Fresh Ideas maintains a drug-free workplace.