Assistant Director Dining Services I - American Leadership Academy (ALA), Mesa, AZ

Job Description

Job Description

Salary:  $48,500 - $55,000

Other Forms of Compensation:  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

Working as the Assistant Director of Dining Services , you will support dining operations for American Leadership Academy (ALA) in Mesa, AZ, helping oversee food service across 11 schools serving approximately 10,000 students. Reporting to the Director of Dining Services, you will work closely with school leadership, managers, and frontline teams to ensure successful execution of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) while maintaining high standards for food quality, safety, and customer service. This is a visible, hands-on leadership role that requires a strong presence in the schools and a commitment to building positive client relationships.

The ideal candidate will have experience in K-12 food service, knowledge of NSLP requirements, and a passion for developing teams . This role requires someone who is comfortable working in a kitchen environment and has hands-on food service operations experience . In addition to supporting daily operations, you will help grow the catering program, assist with training and team development, and drive operational excellence across multiple locations. Success in this position requires a leader who enjoys being in the schools and kitchens, coaching teams, solving problems, and delivering a great experience for students and staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Works the team in creating nutritious and top quality food. 
• Implements new culinary programs in conjunction with the marketing and culinary teams. 
• Maintains excellent relationships with the client. 
• Manages, trains, and develops associates. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications: 

• 1 to 3 years of food service management experience.
• Experience in restaurants, hotels, corporate dining, education, military, health care, and/or related food service operations.
• Strong leadership and communication skills. 
• Financial experience and business acumen skills.
• Proficient computer skills and knowledge of MS Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and internet.
• Associate’s degree is preferred. 

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: 1555188

Chartwells K12 

KRISTEN STROHMYER

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