DIRECTOR, DINING SERVICES - K12 Belding Area Schools, Ionia, MI

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:  $70,000 - $75,000

Other Forms of Compensation:  Annual Bonus Incentive up to 15%, 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

Chartwells K12 | Compass Group USA
Belding Area Schools, Ionia, MI
Director of Dining Services (DDS)

We’re looking for a dynamic, high‑impact Director of Dining Services (DDS) to lead our long tenured account with Belding Area Schools in Ionia, MI. In this role, you’ll support four schools serving approximately 1,350 students, acting as the key partner to school administrators while working side‑by‑side with frontline teams to deliver exceptional dining experiences every day.

Reporting to the Area Director, you’ll bring visible, hands‑on leadership—driving operations, financial performance, compliance, and team development. This is a highly engaged role where you’ll spend time in schools coaching managers, building strong relationships, and ensuring consistency across a high‑profile district.

Even better—you’ll enjoy a strong work‑life balance with a steady Monday–Friday schedule, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM, giving you the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while keeping your evenings and weekends free.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manages hourly associates in the Food Service Department
• Oversees the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the account
• Interviews, hires, and trains associates; plans, assigns, and directs work; appraises performance; rewards and disciplines associates; addresses complaints and resolves problems
• Prepares and manages annual budget
• Utilize company systems for completion of required daily/weekly/monthly reports such as inventory, cash reports, production records, payroll/time-keeping, etc.
• Oversees and participates in the preparation and service of food and beverage items in adherence to company food standards for preparation, presentation, sanitation and safety (meeting HACCP and OSHA guidelines) and portion control

Preferred Qualifications:

• Assocaites degree, preferably in foodservice, hospitality management, dietetics, culinary or related fields preferred.
• Three years of direct foodservice operational management experience with inventory and purchasing knowledge and control, K12 experience preferred.
• Solid knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
• Previous P&L accountability or contract-managed service experience is desirable
• Strong supervisory, leadership, management and coaching skills
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to communicate on various levels to include management, client, customer and associate levels
• Fnancial, budgetary, accounting and computational skills
• Proficient computer skills to include; various computer programs, Microsoft Office programs, e-mail and the Internet

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: 1538971

Chartwells K12 

SHANNON MOORE

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