DIREctor, DINING SERVICES - La Canada Unified School District, CA

Salary: $80,000 - $87,000

Other Forms of Compensation:  Annual Bonus Incentive up to 20%, 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

DIRECTOR OF DINING SERVICES – La Cañada Unified School District, La Cañada, CA

As the Director of Dining Services, you will lead a dynamic dining program serving approximately 4,000 students across five schools within La Cañada Unified School District . This highly visible role oversees menu management, ordering, procurement, production planning, inventory control, recipe compliance, and staff training while ensuring exceptional food quality and operational excellence. You'll also champion student engagement initiatives including Mood Boost, Student Choice, Nutrition Game On, and Discovery Kitchen. A culinary background is strongly preferred , as you'll play a key role in elevating the student dining experience through creativity, consistency, and innovation.

The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven leader with strong client-facing skills and the ability to build trust with district administrators, school leaders, and Kitchen Managers. While the program includes approximately 25 union frontline employees, success in this role comes from collaboration, influence, and effective communication rather than direct management. This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive, solutions-oriented professional who thrives on strengthening partnerships, improving operations, and delivering a best-in-class dining program for students and the district.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and inspire our team of 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:

• Associate’s degree in Nutrition/Management/Hospitality/Culinary preferred or equivalent experience preferred.**
• Three (3) plus years of foodservice management experience.
• 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

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.

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

Req ID:  1554374

Chartwells K12 

KRISTEN STROHMYER

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