General Manager

General ManagerBon Appétit is seeking an experienced and collaborative General Manager to lead campus dining operations at Carthage College. In this role, you will oversee all aspects of the dining program, ensuring operational excellence, financial stewardship, outstanding guest experiences, and strong team engagement.The ideal candidate brings direct higher education dining experience and understands the unique needs of a college campus environment, including residential dining, retail dining operations, catering, student engagement, and partnership with campus stakeholders. You will serve as a strategic partner to the college while creating a welcoming, inclusive dining experience for students, faculty, staff, and guests.As a leader, you will foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement while supporting the professional growth and development of your team. You will also work closely with campus partners to ensure dining services contribute to the overall student experience and institutional goals.Our passion is food! At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!Key ResponsibilitiesLead, develop, and support a diverse team of managers and frontline associates.Create an environment that encourages engagement, learning, growth, and recognition.Conduct employee meetings, performance discussions, and training programs.Support hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and succession planning efforts.Foster strong relationships across departments and campus leadership teams.Build and maintain strong partnerships with college administration, campus stakeholders, students, faculty, and guests.Ensure exceptional hospitality standards and service excellence throughout all dining operations.Collaborate with culinary teams to develop menus that meet client expectations and evolving dining trends.Respond proactively to guest feedback and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.Support the integration of dining services into the broader campus experience.Manage the account in alignment with approved budgets and client expectations.Oversee financial performance, including P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, sales reporting, and financial analysis.Analyze operational and financial trends to drive performance and identify opportunities for growth.Manage purchasing, inventory controls, food cost management, and labor optimization.Ensure adherence to cash-handling procedures, reconciliation practices, and financial controls.Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.Maintain high standards for food quality, sanitation, and workplace safety.Oversee HACCP procedures and proper food storage and handling practices.Monitor compliance with health, fire, and safety regulations related to food preparation and service.What We're Looking ForDemonstrated leadership experience within a higher education dining environment, including college or university food service operations.Experience managing complex dining programs, including residential dining, retail dining, and catering services.Proven success leading, developing, and mentoring teams in a hospitality or food service environment.Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting, P&L statements, food costs, labor costs, and inventory controls.Experience building relationships with clients, campus leadership, students, and other key stakeholders.Knowledge of food safety regulations, HACCP principles, and operational compliance requirements.Strong communication, problem-solving, organizational, and conflict-resolution skills.Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of service and operational excellence.Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Culinary Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.Experience within contract-managed or self-operated collegiate dining programs.Strong catering and special events experience within a campus environment.Demonstrated success achieving operational, financial, and guest satisfaction goals.Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.ServSafe Certification or Department of Health certification preferred.