Food Services - Assistant Manager, Food Services

Colonial Group; Toronto; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Victoria University is seeking an Assistant Manager, Food Services to lead the day-to-day operation of campus dining outlets, coach staff, and provide administrative support to the kitchen to deliver high-quality food service in a residential campus setting.

This role involves managing schedules, training staff, coordinating catering for campus events, maintaining safety and quality standards, and fostering a respectful, inclusive work environment while partnering with campus departments.

Qualifications

• 2- or 3-year diploma in hospitality or an appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Smart Serve certification required.
• Safe Food Handling certification is an asset.
• Three (3) years of progressive hospitality service experience in large campus operation.
• Experience in alcoholic sale, service and bar controls.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily food service operations and outlets.
• Direct and schedule food service staff and shifts.
• Monitor portion control and quality standards.
• Ensure compliant beverage operations and OHSA adherence.
• Deliver high quality customer service and guest experiences.
• Coordinate events and catering services.
• Manage inventories and COGS reporting.
• Recruit, train, and evaluate staff; handle attendance and discipline.

Skills

Leadership

Staff training

Menu planning

Customer service

Budget management

Communication

Scheduling

OHSA compliance

Education

Diploma in hospitality

Tools

Smart Serve

Safe Food Handling

Job description

CURRENT VACANCY
Professionals / Managers & Confidentials - Food Services

Posting Date: October 2, 2026
Closing Date: October 16, 2026
Position Title: Assistant Manager, Food Services
Department: Food Services
Appointment Type: Continuing

Classification: PM 1
Salary:Target hiring range $70,270.19 - $86,423.52
Schedule:Full-time (based on 35 hour week)

Schedules will include mornings and evenings, weekdays, weekends and holidays to ensure sufficient coverage within Food Services. Schedules must ensure operational requirements are met, and flexibility is needed to achieve this. Flexibility is given to balance personal needs.

Victoria University is committed to equity in access to employment and a diverse and inclusive workplace. The University encourages applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. If you require accessibility accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department [e-mail]

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a member of the Food Services Team, the incumbent is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Victoria University Food Service Outlets, primarily managing, coaching staff and providing administrative support to the kitchen to deliver high-quality food service in a residential campus environment. This individual also provides support to the operational elements of the catered events on campus. You will play a key role in fostering a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative work environment.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Food Service Operations

• The incumbent is responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of Victoria University Food Services

• Directs, schedules and supervises workflow of Food Service employees

• Monitors portion control, quality control standards

• Oversees licensed beverage operations, ensures regulatory compliance including responsible service practices, staff certifications, inventory controls, and coordinates with stakeholders for safe and effective licensed beverage service

Customer Service

• Works with our team members to provide the highest quality standards for food, a guest experience that is outstanding, and service that is memorable through relevant training and ongoing support

• Equips staff with correct knowledge and service details by holding pre-service meetings

• Creates and maintains positive customer relations and experience e.g. paying special attention to dietary requests or meal deliveries

• Investigates and resolves complaints from customers regarding food or service quality

• Responds to queries from community members regarding food service options and services

• Helps create a welcoming atmosphere in all food service outlets and works with student organizations and Victoria University departments in a manner that focusses on customer satisfaction.

• Leads cultural celebrations in student dining by developing themed menus and coordinating props and signage, while ensuring timely communication of these events to the communications team.

Financial Administration

• Ensures physical counts of inventory and monthly costs of goods sold reports and financial reports are prepared appropriately

• Develops other costing reports regarding consumption of products, assists with audits, training and other steps

Human Resources

• Establishes work schedules and assignments of staff and works with lead hands to address scheduling changes

• Handles a variety of matters regarding staff attendance

• Assesses performance, and provides guidance and support

• Participates in hiring processes as well as training and orientation to new hires

• Addresses workplace matters that may result in discipline or follow up

• Helps promote a positive work environment by fostering trust, encouraging positive workplace dynamics, addressing workplace conflict appropriately, leading by example and responding to matters promptly and professionally

• Monitors and ensures that all workplace activities are performed in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and contributes to upholding fair workplace policies

General Administration

• Responsible for posting weekly menus, related food signage and price lists

• Ensures menus are distributed to the appropriate customers on campus. Participates in creating daily specials and assists Chef and First Cook in creating interesting menus or menu items

• Orders supplies within budgetary guidelines

Interdepartmental Coordination

• Responds to stakeholder inquiries regarding special events and coordinates arrangements accordingly.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:

2-or 3-year diploma in hospitality and/or an appropriate combination of education and experience.

OTHER:

Successful completion of Smart Serve program

Safe Food Handling certification is an asset

EXPERIENCE:

Three (3) years of progressive hospitality service experience preferably gained within a large commercial food operation in the post-secondary sector in a unionized environment.

Experience in alcoholic sale, service and bar controls.

SKILLS:

• Knowledge of the food industry, including large-scale operations, catering and relevant legislation

• A proven manager with at least three years of progressive hospitality service experience preferably gained within a large commercial food operation in the post-secondary sector.

• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, organize and motivate employees (appointed staff, temporary staff and student staff) in a unionized environment.

• Demonstrated experience managing the complex scheduling requirements of a multi-unit food service operation which also provides extensive catering services.

• Exceptional customer service skills, with demonstrated experience organizing conference and events management.

• Must have excellent public relations, written and verbal communication skills, and superb one-on-one communications skills.

• Understanding of business and the university environment preferred.

• Experience managing budgets.

• Understands food handling and storage, including temperature requirements, cross contamination risks, cleaning and sanitizing. Is adept at understanding the importance of these elements when addressing complaints or queries, or other matters such as menu requests

• Ability to troubleshoot commercial cooking and service equipment failures.

• Experience managing student and casual employees.

• Highly developed organizational, communication, and relationship management skills.

• Ability to practice professionalism and sound judgment under pressure and stress.

• A team player with demonstrated decision-making skills.

• Highly customer service oriented with sensitivity to various levels of expectation from program participants, faculty, staff and suppliers.

• Sound knowledge of computer applications that includes ability to use spreadsheet, ordering platforms, word processing, financial management, database and payroll software

OTHER:

Ability to work at all levels of the organization. Exceptional level of integrity. Willingness to work irregular hours and the ability to meet short deadlines and deal with significant time pressure.