General Manager

General Manager In K-12 Food Service

Lead with purpose? Become a General Manager in K-12 Food Service! Are you ready to take the reins and drive impact in a school district’s food service program? As a General Manager, you’ll lead a dedicated team, oversee daily operations, and build strong relationships with district leaders – all while ensuring students receive high-quality, nutritious meals. This is your opportunity to combine leadership, strategy, and service to make a real difference every day.

The General Manager is responsible for overseeing food service operations across a school district site or group of sites. This includes leadership of salaried and hourly teams, direct client communication, financial oversight, operational efficiency, and program growth. The role requires a strong balance of leadership, strategy, and hands-on involvement in service and execution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage salaried managers and hourly associates across multiple school sites
• Direct all aspects of account management and client relationships
• Train and develop Assistant Managers to support business expansion or new contracts
• Lead innovative efforts to increase student participation and support academic success
• Build and maintain strong relationships with district administrators and school boards
• Hire, train, evaluate, and support the development of all staff
• Oversee budget preparation and manage labor, food, and operational costs
• Ensure timely completion of required reports including inventory, production, and payroll
• Oversee food preparation and service in accordance with quality, safety, and sanitation standards
• Drive performance in sales, service, facility appearance, and cleanliness through staff training and development
• Follow all cash handling and reconciliation procedures
• Support daily service operations when needed to ensure smooth functioning
• Implement marketing and promotional activities to support program growth
• Fulfill additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High school diploma, GED, or relevant vocational training (Bachelor’s degree preferred)
• Minimum 5 years of experience in food service, with 2–3 years as a Food Service Director (K-12 experience preferred)
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Adobe Acrobat
• Experience with POS systems and online reporting tools preferred
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills
• P&L accountability experience and strong cost control skills
• Must be able to pass a background check, fingerprinting, and MVR audit (driving required)
• Deep knowledge of food service trends, food safety, cost controls, and K-12 nutrition standards
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively with executive leadership
• Physical & Work Environment Requirements:
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally
• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and use hands
• Moderate noise level in the work environment
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including occasional extended weeks
• Requires driving and attendance at meetings or company events
• We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (Gender/Minority/Veterans/Disabled) and participate with the federal E-Verify Employment Eligibility Program.