Sodexo's Campus Segment at The State University of New York at New Paltz (SUNY New Paltz) is seeking a Food Operations Manager2 to oversee all aspects of campus dining operations. SUNY New Paltz, a historic and vibrant public college located in the Hudson Valley, traces its roots to 1828 and is one of only four SUNY institutions located in the New York metropolitan area.
Position Overview:This leadership role reports directly to the General Manager and serves as second-in-command, stepping in during the GM’s absence. With a managed volume exceeding $14 million annually, the Food Operations Manager will oversee residential dining, high-volume retail, catering, the on-campus bakery, and the Bake/Coffee Shop.
This position is highly focused on service excellence, team development, financial performance, and client satisfaction. The successful candidate will lead a team of 3 salaried managers and 50+ hourly staff, while also supporting a large student workforce of 100+ during the academic year.
Provide strategic and hands-on leadership across residential dining, bakery, and retail operations
Ensure exceptional service standards and a positive dining experience for students, faculty, and guests
Lead, coach, and develop salaried and hourly teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
Maintain compliance with food safety and physical safety programs
Manage purchasing, food and labor cost controls, and budget adherence
Partner with Human Resources to uphold standards in performance management, training, and team development
Act as a primary point of contact for client engagement and issue resolution
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
Proven experience in college/university dining operations, particularly in resident dining
Strong leadership and management skills with experience guiding large teams (union experience is a plus)
Demonstrated success in cost controls, budgeting, and financial performance
Knowledge of food safety and physical safety protocols
Exceptional customer service and client relations skills
Passion for team building, mentoring, and professional development
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
Minimum Education Requirement - Associate's Degree or equivalent experienceMinimum Management Experience - 2 yearsMinimum Functional Experience - 2 years work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.