DIRECTOR, DINING SERVICES - K12 Alvarado ISD, TX

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:  $80,000 - $85,000

Other Forms of Compensation:  Annual Bonus Incentive up to 20%, Medical, dental & vision insurance, PTO, 401K 

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 – Alvarado ISD, Alvarado, TX

Chartwells K12 is seeking an experienced Director of Dining Services to lead a well-established school nutrition program serving approximately 3,000 students across five schools, including three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. Supported by a strong Assistant Director and a team of approximately 40 frontline associates, this leader will oversee all aspects of dining operations while ensuring exceptional food quality, financial performance, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction. This is an outstanding opportunity to join a long-tenured partnership and make a meaningful impact on students, staff, and the broader school community.

The ideal candidate is a highly visible, hands-on leader who excels at building strong client relationships and fostering a positive, collaborative culture among managers, frontline associates, and district stakeholders. We are seeking someone who leads from the field rather than the office, actively mentoring, coaching, and supporting teams across all school locations. Success in this role requires a passion for operational excellence, employee development, and program innovation, including the successful execution of marquee Chartwells programs such as Mood Boost, Student Choice, Discovery Kitchen, Global Eats, and Game On. The Director will serve as a trusted partner to district leadership while creating an exceptional dining experience that drives participation, engagement, and team success.

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:

• Associates's degree in Nutrition/Management/Hospitality/Culinary preferred or equivalent experience.
• K12 food service management experience
• Five plus years of foodservice management experience.
• Strong knowledge of high-volume food production and (catering trends) is preferred.
• 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

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: 1565615

Chartwells K12 

KRISTEN STROHMYER

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