SR DIRECTOR, DINING SERVICES - Lawton Public Schools, OK

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:  $74,000 - $85,000

Other Forms of Compensation:  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

Short Description

Step into something extraordinary—a brand-new Chartwells food service partnership with Lawton Public Schools, serving 14,000 students across 27 schools—where you’ll lead the vision, strategy, and execution of a districtwide dining program from the ground up. As the Senior Director of Dining Services, you’ll set the direction for a high-impact, multi-site operation, driving innovation, operational excellence, and an exceptional dining experience that resonates with students, staff, and the community.

In this highly visible leadership role, you’ll oversee a dynamic team of leaders, including a Resident District Manager, Executive Chef, and a frontline workforce of up to 110 associates. You’ll be responsible for building and developing a strong leadership pipeline, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability, and ensuring best-in-class execution across every school site. From strategic planning and financial performance to client relationships and program innovation, you’ll own the full scope of the operation.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a program at its inception—establishing standards, driving engagement, and elevating the overall dining experience. If you’re a visionary leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, excels at building high-performing teams, and is passionate about creating meaningful impact at scale, this is your moment to lead, innovate, and leave a lasting mark on a district ready for something exceptional.

Job Summary

Key Responsibilities: 

• Leads, manages, and inspires a diverse team(s) at a large account or multiple accounts, with the goal of providing top-notch service to the client, students, and community
• Drives and develops self and team at the account(s) towards building strong relationships with client(s) and achievement of key performance indicators (profitability, safety, engagement, etc.) 
• May serve on district leadership team, and participates in ongoing conversations with peers to share best practices, mitigate risks, champion diversity, and build community
• Ensures decisions are weighed for risk/reward and short/long term implications, while gathering input from the team and partners 
• Fosters a culture of transparency, understanding, education, safety, and accountability 
• Serves as the representative/brand ambassador of the Chartwells team within the district(s) and the community; attends key client and community events
• Ensures client(s) needs are met or exceeded, we retain the account(s), find cross-sell opportunities, and assist in rebid process as directed
• Supports functional areas including but not limited to safety, marketing, nutrition and culinary
• Ensures adherence to local, state, federal and company policies, and conducts unit audits to ensure conformance for key areas (e.g. food storage, sanitation) 
• Maintains compliance with USDA regulations and guidance for all applicable meal and retail programs, along with completing all required reporting on time
• Champions development within the account(s) and has a full understanding of all roles within the operation; conducts performance evaluations, along with succession planning for the account(s)
• Owns the financial results for the account(s), and works to ensure accuracy for reporting, forecasting, and budgeting processes 
• Ensures consistent and fair administration of all policies and procedures

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and minimum of three (3) years of management experience, preferably in foodservice, hospitality management, CULINARY OR NUTRITION
• Is well-versed in foodservice management with proven track record of success, ideally in K12 foodservice 
• Has proven track record of leading a business and a team, strong customer service, and good business and financial acumen
• Demonstrates strong initiative, critical thinking, ownership, communications (listening, written, and verbal), multi-tasking, prioritization, and organization skills
• Champions the inclusion mindset, and is proactive, positive, professional, and resilient  
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and POS software 

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: 1546121

Chartwells K12 

KRISTEN STROHMYER

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