General Manager – Campus Dining Food Service Operations

Job Overview

We are hiring an experienced General Manager – Food Service Operations to lead a high-volume, multi-outlet campus dining program at the University of Tennessee at Martin. This senior leadership role is responsible for the full operational and financial performance of residential dining, retail, and catering services within a university environment.

The General Manager serves as the senior-most on-site leader, ensuring service excellence, financial accountability, and strong client partnership in a fast-paced institutional setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all food service operations across residential dining, retail, and catering
• Serve as primary on-site leader and key client contact for operational and strategic matters
• Own full P&L responsibility, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and financial reporting
• Manage, coach, and develop on-site leadership and management teams
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, labor, and workplace safety regulations
• Oversee cash control, payroll processes, and operational reporting
• Maintain strong client and customer relationships to ensure satisfaction and contract success
• Drive operational efficiency, innovation, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Lead hiring, training, scheduling, and performance management for site teams
• Manage special events, catering programs, and high-volume campus dining services

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• Minimum 5 years of food service management experience
• Minimum 5 years of management experience with direct supervision of managers
• Proven P&L ownership for large-scale food service operations
• Experience managing accounts with $3M+ annual revenue
• Strong background in multi-outlet operations (residential dining, retail, catering)
• Demonstrated knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance
• Experience in contract-managed or institutional food service environments

Preferred Experience

• Campus or university dining leadership experience strongly preferred
• Prior experience as General Manager or Operations Manager in large contract food service accounts
• Background in healthcare, military, corrections, or corporate dining operations with a similar scale and complexity
• Strong client-facing leadership and long-term account management experience

Key Skills

• Food Service Operations Management
• P&L / Financial Accountability
• Multi-Unit Dining Operations
• Campus Dining & Hospitality Leadership
• Client Relationship Management
• Budgeting, Forecasting & Cost Control
• Team Leadership & Development
• Food Safety & Compliance

Work Environment

• On-site leadership role at a university campus
• High-volume, fast-paced operational setting
• Daily interaction with client leadership and campus stakeholders
• Full accountability for the operational and financial success of the account

Location Note

This role is based in Martin, Tennessee. Candidates within commuting distance (Union City, South Fulton, Paris, Dyersburg, and surrounding areas) are preferred. Relocation may be considered for highly qualified candidates, subject to business need.