Café and Cafeteria Manager

College of Eastern Idaho • Idaho Falls, ID

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Café and Cafeteria Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the College of Eastern Idaho's campus café, cafeteria, catering services, and related food service operations. This position is responsible for leading daily operations, supervising staff, ensuring outstanding customer service, maintaining food quality and safety standards, managing inventory and cash handling, and supporting the financial success of the operation. Working collaboratively with college leadership and the College's food service consultant, the manager helps implement operational goals, improve customer satisfaction, and create an exceptional dining experience for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This position is based primarily at CEI's Main Campus and also supports food service operations at the Workforce Training Campus. CEI's mission is to provide fresh, high-quality, affordable food options while creating a welcoming, efficient, and student-focused dining experience.

Requirements

• Three years of progressively responsible supervisory or management experience in a café, cafeteria, restaurant, catering, hospitality, institutional dining, or similar food service environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing day-to-day food service operations, including staffing, point-of-sale systems, balancing, budgeting, purchasing, menu planning, and cost control
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop employees while fostering a positive, accountable, and customer-focused work environment.
• Knowledge of basic food preparation, sanitation, inventory control, and cash handling practices.
• Experience providing exceptional customer service in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with leadership while exercising sound judgment and independent decision-making.
• Current ServSafe Manager certification or ability to obtain and maintain ServSafe Manager certification within the timeframe established by the College.
• Ability to work legally in the State of Idaho and meet College employment requirements.
• Ability to repetitively lift 50 pounds.
• Able to work 8 hours on your feet.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Active Idaho Driver’s License.
• Incumbent must reside in Idaho (Currently, CEI doesn’t sponsor Visas)

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s degree in culinary arts, hospitality, business management, or related field.
• Five or more years of leadership experience in food service, hospitality, institutional dining, or catering operations.
• Current ServSafe Manager certification or equivalent food safety certification.
• Experience overseeing operating budgets, food cost analysis, labor scheduling, and inventory management.
• Experience managing food service operations within a college, university, healthcare, corporate, or institutional environment.
• Experience planning and coordinating catering services and special events.
• Bilingual (Spanish)

Responsibilities

• Seeking ways to improve kitchen processes and ensure prompt service.
• Set standards for kitchen cleanliness and ensure cleaning is done regularly.
• Oversee daily operations of the café, cafeteria, and campus catering, ensuring timely, efficient, and friendly service.
• Supervise, train, and provide evaluation input for the food service employees and student workers.
• Shift management, training, and coaching kitchen staff.
• Coordinate food preparation, service, and replenishment to meet campus needs throughout operating hours.
• Managing inventory for food and beverage items to ensure the kitchen is adequately stocked.
• Work with Consultant, CEI leadership, and vendors to support vendor accounts related to cafeteria, café, and catering needs for CEI.
• Work with Consultant and CEI leadership to ensure that the menu is correct and up-to-date.
• Ensure all food is prepared, handled, stored, and served in accordance with health, safety, and sanitation requirements.
• Monitor food quality, presentation, portion control, and service standards.
• Track kitchen waste and looking for improvements for financial return.
• Maintain accurate inventory of food, beverages, supplies, and equipment; place orders as needed and control waste.
• Receive, inspect, and store deliveries following proper food safety and purchasing procedures.
• Operate and oversee point-of-sale transactions, cash handling and related records. Partner with the Business Office on deposits and financial reporting.
• Analyze sales trends, customer feedback, and operational performance to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Respond professionally to customer questions, concerns, and feedback.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe kitchen, service, dining, storage, and equipment areas.
• Assist with menu planning, daily specials, pricing recommendations, and campus catering or special event support as assigned.
• Ensure compliance with college policies, departmental procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Prepare reports, maintain records, and communicate operational needs to the appropriate administrator.
• Promote a positive, inclusive, and service-oriented environment for employees and customers.

Benefits

• Affordable Health Plans: With three medical plan options, you can select healthcare coverage that best meets your needs.
• Supporting Work-Life Balance: Earn sick leave with no accrual limit starting day one. Staff accrue vacation leave starting at 15 days a year with a tiered system (Faculty excluded from vacation leave).
• Retirement Savings: Faculty and exempt staff are enrolled in the Fidelity 401 (a)plan. Non-exempt or vested employees are enrolled in the PERSI base plan.
• Life Insurance: no-cost coverage for you and your dependents with the option to add more.
• Educational Savings: Significant tuition fee discounts for qualifying employees and their dependents.
• Exclusive Discounts: Enjoy local discounts on cell plans, movie tickets, gyms, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED