Food Service Director

Creative Dining Services•Grayling, MI

12d•$0 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

Creative Dining Services is looking for a Food Service Director to join their team at Kirtland Community College in Grayling, Michigan. This role involves leading a culinary and hospitality team, elevating the dining experience, developing future leaders, and building strong relationships within the campus community. The Food Service Director will oversee the day-to-day operations of the dining program, ensuring high standards in food quality, service, safety, and financial performance. This is a hands-on role for a culinary professional who can balance food quality, team management, and business results.

Requirements

Culinary experience and a strong food service background – required.
Demonstrated success leading a food service operation and culinary team.
Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.
Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
The ability to coach, develop, and motivate a diverse team.
Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and decision-making skills.
Experience managing budgets, purchasing, labor, and operating costs.
Experience facilitating training and developing team members.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other computer-based systems.
ServSafe Certification required.
Allergen Certification required.

Nice To Haves

A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Hospitality Management, Culinary Management, or a related field is preferred.
In lieu of a Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 10 years of successful managerial experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of food service operations and ensure company quality and service standards are consistently met.
Create an engaging, welcoming dining experience for students, faculty, staff, and guests.
Monitor sales, labor, food costs, controllable expenses, safety, sanitation, and compliance.
Identify opportunities to improve operations, menus, service, and the overall guest experience.
Partner with the Operations Director and campus leadership to achieve account goals.
Hire, train, coach, develop, and motivate managers and support staff.
Build a positive team culture where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Identify development opportunities and create plans to help team members grow.
Lead regular team and management meetings.
Ensure team members understand and follow company policies, employment regulations, safety standards, and food safety requirements.
Use culinary expertise to create exciting and appealing food experiences.
Help develop and implement new products, recipes, menus, procedures, and culinary techniques.
Plan and execute merchandising and marketing initiatives.
Monitor food quality, presentation, production, and consistency.
Stay connected to dining trends and look for new ways to engage the campus community.
Partner with the Operations Director on annual and period budgeting.
Drive sales and profitability while maintaining exceptional operating standards.
Monitor purchasing and financial performance.
Analyze labor, food costs, and operational results and implement improvements when needed.
Complete quarterly business reviews and communicate results and opportunities with leadership and the client.
Develop positive relationships with students, faculty, staff, campus leadership, and community partners.
Maintain open and effective communication with the Creative Dining team and client.
Promote a positive public image and help ensure long-term account success and retention.