Food Operations Manager 3

Sodexo Careers•Alfred, NY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Sodexo's Campus Segment is seeking an accomplished and visionary Food Operations Manager 3 to support Alfred University in Alfred, NY. As a senior operational leader within our Universities segment, you will influence the direction, performance, and strategic evolution of a best-in-class campus dining program that reflects the university’s academic excellence and deep commitment to student well-being. The Food Operations Manager 3 is an experienced, innovative, and highly strategic leader responsible for advancing food quality, elevating the student experience, and driving operational excellence across a complex, high-volume dining portfolio. This role integrates culinary leadership, hospitality innovation, financial acumen, talent development, and client partnership to shape a dining experience that is central to campus life. As a key member of the on-site leadership team, you will guide multiple service lines, lead department managers and frontline teams, and ensure consistent, top-tier execution across residential, retail, and/or catering operations. Your leadership will directly impact service excellence, financial performance, staff engagement, and client satisfaction. At Sodexo, you’ll find the ingredients for a great career—including work-life balance, professional growth, and meaningful work that makes a difference in the daily lives of students.

Requirements

Prior experience managing multi-unit or complex food service operations.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, develop, and retain teams.
Proven ability to drive operational improvements and deliver financial results.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with clients and campus partners.
Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and operational compliance standards.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with strong problem-solving skills.
A passion for hospitality, service excellence, and elevating the student experience.
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
3 years Minimum Management Experience
3 years Minimum Functional Experience - work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily operations across multiple dining platforms (residential, retail, catering).
Lead and develop management teams and frontline staff to achieve high performance.
Ensure excellence in food quality, service delivery, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Drive financial performance through labor management, cost controls, forecasting, and analysis.
Partner with campus leadership to strengthen client relationships and support university initiatives.
Implement Sodexo programs, standards, and systems to enhance operational consistency.
Lead student engagement efforts, feedback programs, and service improvements.
Support hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, and performance management.
Ensure a clean, safe, efficient, and student-centered dining environment.