Food Operations Manager 2

Sodexo Careers•Orono, ME

16h

About The Position

Success is yours when you collaborate and work hard in our team-based culture. Sodexo’s Campus Segment is seeking an experienced Food Operations Manager 2 to join our team at the University of Maine in beautiful Orono, Maine. Situated along the Stillwater River, UMaine is a vibrant flagship institution serving the state, the nation, and the world through its teaching, research, and outreach mission. As a showcase account and one of the largest campuses within Sodexo’s New England portfolio, it offers a dynamic, high-visibility environment for a strong hospitality leader. UMaine’s dining program is robust and diverse, including Residential Dining, Retail, Catering, and Concessions , serving over 3,200 residential students in addition to the greater Orono community. The campus hosts Division I athletics , frequent community events, and leverages innovative dining technology such as KiwiBots , providing a unique opportunity to positively impact student well-being and the overall campus experience. The Food Operations Manager 2 will oversee York Dining Hall , the smaller of UMaine’s two main residential dining facilities. Located on the east side of campus, York serves many upperclassmen and operates seven days per week , providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner . This leader will ensure consistent execution of Sodexo’s culinary, service, safety, and operational standards, delivering a high-quality dining experience while fostering a positive, engaging environment for students and staff alike.

Requirements

Proven experience in high-volume food operations, preferably in campus dining, hospitality, or retail food service.
Strong leadership and team development skills with the ability to inspire and motivate staff.
Hands-on approach to culinary and operational management; comfortable supporting service when needed.
Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving abilities.
Knowledge of food safety regulations, inventory management, and operational best practices.
Passion for creating memorable dining experiences and positively impacting student well-being.
Minimum Education Requirement - Associate's Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience - 2 years
Minimum Functional Experience - 2 years work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day operations of York Dining Hall, ensuring excellent culinary and service standards.
Manage, train, and develop a team of frontline associates and student employees to deliver exceptional experiences.
Oversee scheduling, inventory, ordering, and forecasting to optimize labor and food costs.
Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and HACCP guidelines.
Support special events, catering, and campus initiatives while maintaining operational excellence.
Collaborate with university partners and Sodexo leadership to enhance programs and student engagement.
Promote a culture of hospitality, teamwork, and continuous improvement across all shifts.