Food Service Director - Chicago Public Schools - Hyde Park Hospitality

Food Service Director - Chicago Public Schools

Job Description

The Food Service Director is a management position responsible for developing and executing dining solutions to meet customer needs and tastes. Oversees and manages dining operations where customers order prepared foods from a menu. The Food Service Director travels to multiple different sites within the Chicago Public Schools District on regular basis

Job Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead, mentor, engage and develop teams to maximize their contributions, including recruiting, assessing, training, coaching and managing performance
• Ensure food services appropriately connects to the Executional Framework
• Coach employees by creating a shared understanding about what needs to be achieved and how to execute
• Reward and recognize employees
• Ensure safety and sanitation standards in all operations

Client Relationship

• Identify client needs and effectively communicate operational progress

Financial Performance

• Adopt Aramark process and systems
• Build revenue and manage budget, including cost controls regarding food, beverage and labor
• Ensure the completion and maintenance of P&L statements
• Achieve food and labor targets
• Manage resources to ensure quality and cost control within budgetary guidelines

Productivity

• Implement and maintain Aramark agenda for both labor and food initiatives
• Create value through efficient operations, appropriate cost controls and profit management
• Full compliance with Operational Excellence fundamentals, including food and labor
• Direct and oversee operations related to production, distribution and food service

Compliance

• Maintain a safe and healthy environment for clients, customers and employees
• Comply with all applicable policies, rules and regulations, including but not limited to those relating to safety, health, wage and hour

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain systems and procedures for the ordering, receiving, storing, preparing and serving of food related products, as well as menu planning and development
• Develops operational component forecasts and can explain variances. Responsible for component accounting functions.
• Ensures that requirements for appropriate sanitation and safety levels in respective areas are met
• Coordinates and supervises unit personnel regarding production, merchandising, quality and cost control, labor management and employee training
• Recruits, hires, develops and retains front line team.
• Conducts period inventory
• Maintains records to comply with ARAMARK, government and accrediting agency standards
• Interacts with Client Management and maintains effective client and customer relations at all levels with client organization
• May participate in sales process and negotiation of contracts
• Looks for opportunities to implement new products and services which support sales growth and client retention

Additional Responsibilities

• Manage the front of the house of the dining operation (Cafeteria/ Residential Dining Facility)
• Develop and implement food service plans aligned with the client's mission and vision, to include sustainable practices

This job profile does not contain a comprehensive listing of all required activities, duties, or responsibilities. Job duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

• Requires at least 4 years of experience
• Requires at least 1-3 years of experience in a management role
• Requires previous experience in food service
• Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to develop and maintain effective client and customer rapport for mutually beneficial business relationships
• Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service using Aramark's standard model
• Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with other departments to a unified food service experience for all customers
• Requires occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lb.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Multiple sites within a designated area

Salary: $65,000.00 annually

Benefits

• Medical Insurance (Health, Dental, Vision)
• $75 Monthly Cell Phone Stipend
• $600 Monthly Gas Allowance
• Disability Insurance
• Vacation and PTO
• 401K Plan with generous Company Matching
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Corporate Discounts for nationally recognized products and services (childcare, electronics, entertainment, hotels, home, groceries, restaurants, auto, travel, and pets)

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Hyde Park Hospitality (HPH) is a young—but dynamic and fast-growing—company built on deep roots in the food business. HPH earned Crain’s Fast 50 Award in 2024 for being one (ranked 30th) of the fifty fastest growing businesses in the Chicago-area! We provide services ranging from airport concessions, management staffing, brand licensing, to contracted food and facilities management. With a 75% diverse senior management team, HPH values diversity and welcomes everyone with necessary qualifications and experience, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, and any other protected status, to apply. Learn more about us at hph-us.com.