Director of Dining Operations

Title: Director of Dining Operations

Executive Area: Administration and Finance

College/School/MBU: Auxiliary Enterprises

Department: Meal Plan Office

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule:Full time

Work Arrangement:Onsite

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Executive Director of Dining Services (EDS), responsible for the overall success of Retail Dining Services (RDS) and oversight of the day-to-day operations of Residential Dining Services (RDS). The Director of Dining Operations provides leadership in developing and executing strategies to deliver high quality dining experiences and excellent customer service to University students, faculty, staff, campus visitors, and guests, while achieving operational and financial goals and ensuring safety and sanitation standards are maintained. Specific areas of responsibility include the oversight of the University's self-operated dining operations, maintenance, and janitorial.

Essential Functions

Planning

Leads administration of a multi-faceted dining program with financial responsibility for an annual budget of $120 million, including shared responsibility for all aspects of customer service, quality control, food, labor and operating costs.

Develops a vision for the future of the department, pursues new avenues of growth, and prepares strategic plans accordingly.

Creates strategic initiatives based on internal and external trends to determine actions and policies that will enhance collaboration, improve employee morale, and add benefit to Dining's customers.

Participates in administrative staff meetings; serves on committees as requested; conducts training and development programs for assigned personnel.

Leads engagement programs to cultivate a respectful, cooperative work environment for a diverse employee workforce. Acts a main liaison for Dining Services in labor/management forums

Understands, is committed to and supports affirmative action and non-discrimination goals and customer focused quality services.

Manages multi-million-dollar budgets across dining operations. Develops revenue generation as well as cost control measures and ensure financial responsibility in purchasing, labor and waste reduction.

Creates proactive staffing plans. Partners with Human Resources and local agencies to recruit, train, mentor, and retain a high-performing, diverse workforce. Leads succession planning and talent assessment strategies.

Operations

Acts as main liaison for Dining Services in labor/management forums to ensure that food is prepared and presented per UMASS dining's established food service standards. Partners with departmental leads on product quality, staffing levels, equipment maintenance and wear, including culinary and dietary. Consults with unit Associate Directors and Exec. Director of Residential Dining and Retail Services when changes are necessary.

Creates communication platform for employees, customers, student organizations, campus departments, vendors, and summer conference groups. Resolves any and all problems and customer complaints in a professional manner.

Oversees logistics coordination of large campus events.

Maintains highest levels of safety and sanitation to comply with all University, county, state, and federal standards and regulations.

Coordinates the preparation and delivery of food services for all special functions, maintains an effective quality assurance program, establish and maintain food service standards.

Promotes program enhancements, sustainability efforts, team accomplishments and UMass Dining vision alignment to staff, customers and students.

Assesses Dining Services performance in relation to established goals; recommends new approaches, menus, policies or procedures to effect continued improvement of efficiency and effectiveness.

Oversees the maintenance and repair of buildings and equipment of Dining Services. Assist the Exec. Director, Residential Dining and Retail Services to ensure that the facilities are properly maintained.

Ensures that University Policies are adhered to in the delivery of food services; set and approve uniform policies for RDS. Maintain metrics, reports, process documentation, customer service logs, training and safety records.

Identifies reporting and data processes that are inefficient and drive change that will lead to measurable gains in data quality and processing time

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in preferably in hospitality management, business, culinary arts, or relevant field.

A minimum of eight years of progressive management experience in a large volume residential dining environment with multiple dining centers or relevant management in other large and multi-unit dynamic restaurant environments.

Microsoft Office proficiency.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Ability to make decisions and act in a dynamic working environment to achieve organizational goals.

Strong ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with multiple constituents.

Preferred Qualifications

ServSafe Certification preferred upon hire, or obtainable within 90 days of hire.

Additional Details

Please complete online application and provide cover letter, resume, and contact information for (3) three professional references.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

8:30 - 5:00 PM; flexible unrestricted schedule to ensuring high visibility and availability. May include occasional nights, weekends, and holidays.

Salary Information

UMass Amherst expects to pay within an approximate range between $102,132 and $153,199 for this position.

Special Instructions for Applicants

Please complete online application and provide cover letter, resume, and contact information for (3) three professional references.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.