Director of Dining Operations

Appalachian State University•Boone, NC

16d

About The Position

The Director of Campus Dining Operations exists to ensure the seamless daily execution of all food services, maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and efficiency across multiple venues. This role provides the operational oversight necessary to manage complex supply chains, optimize labor, and resolve real-time service challenges that impact the student experience. By grounding long-term strategy in day-to-day excellence, the position ensures that every meal served meets both the university’s rigorous standards and the evolving needs of the campus community.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or related field, plus 5 years of related experience, or 7+ years of related experience
Demonstrated experience directly managing operations or contracts for 3rd party local or national retail brands or contract service providers
Demonstrated success managing a portfolio of units with combined budgets and teams
Demonstrated project management skills
Advanced communication skills
Demonstrated ability to analyze data and develop action plans
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Good interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with team members
Degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a higher education or high volume customer service environment
Track record of leading cross-departmental transformation projects
Experience directly managing contractors, capital projects, or facility renovations
Experience directly managing portfolio volumes >$10mm
ServSafe for Managers Certification and advanced food safety certifications
Knowledge of OSHA standards and federal safety legislation.
Familiarity with labor legislation and federal tax laws.

Responsibilities

Direct the comprehensive day-to-day operations of residential, retail, culinary, and support functions to ensure a seamless integration of services that enhances the guest experience.
Serve as the Acting Executive Director in the absence of the Executive Director, exercising a high level of discretion and decision-making that impacts the image and credibility of Campus Dining.
Provide strategic stewardship of physical and capital assets, aligning facility maintenance and emergency management systems with broader University values and long-term goals.
Plan and execute ambitious but achievable operational milestones, monitoring progress and adapting strategies to overcome barriers to goal achievement.
Establish and lead formal feedback loops, such as the Campus Dining Advisory board, to ensure the student experience is directly shaped by the diverse needs of the student body.
Drive enterprise-wide operational efficiency by strategically leveraging physical, fiscal, and personnel resources to maximize benefits to the University while minimizing waste.
Lead the development and refinement of integrated operational platforms—including production forecasting, inventory management, and point-of-sale—challenging the status quo to identify and implement creative improvements.
Analyze complex operational metrics to develop and implement proactive action plans, ensuring all work units consistently meet or exceed performance requirements.
Manage departmental risk by ensuring the absolute integrity of scheduling, payroll, performance management, and hiring processes in strict compliance with University personnel policies and state/federal regulations.
Champion a proactive culture of safety and hazard recognition, motivating staff to support improvements in safety policies, training compliance, and occupational safety programs.
Develop and maintain high-level business relationships with regulatory agencies, ensuring the highest standards of food safety and professional practice.
Foster a culture of continuous learning and professional growth by providing candid, timely, and constructive feedback and identifying development opportunities that broaden employee talent and effectiveness.
Partner with the Directors of Retail, Culinary, Nutrition, Brand Management, Catering, and Campus Dining Business Officer to align service standards, menu innovation, and promotional campaigns across all dining venues.
Hire and retain a diverse, high-potential staff while modeling trust, commitment, and civility to improve team dynamics.
Lead and facilitate collaborative partnerships with key campus stakeholders to ensure dining operations are strategically aligned with the University’s mission and student engagement goals.
Actively involve relevant stakeholders in the refinement and adoption of new dining initiatives; build consensus among partners to ensure high-impact programs meet the diverse needs of the campus community.