Area Manager

careers-ucfs; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Upper Crust Food Service is seeking an Area Manager to lead restaurant teams across subregions, ensuring quality, budget adherence, and strong partner relationships. This role is field-based and requires a hands-on approach with on-site leadership.

You will manage chefs and staff, uphold food safety standards, and execute partner-focused events. Travel is required, and a proactive communicator will thrive in this environment.

Qualifications

• Real experience running food service operations and leading teams.
• Comfort with budgets, costs, and holding the line.
• Track record of building partner relationships that renew contracts.
• Sharp judgment for shifts starting early (e.g., 6 AM).
• Willingness to be in the field where the work happens.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of chefs, frontline staff, and support roles across your subregion.
• Own menu quality, spec sheet adherence, and the culinary standards for each kitchen.
• Manage budget and spend; food, labor, and other expenses.
• Build trust with on-site partners through presence and proactive communication.
• Execute special events such as tailgates and holiday dinners.
• Uphold food safety, sanitation, and allergen standards without exception.
• Respond to staffing emergencies as needed.

Skills

Team leadership

Budget management

Food safety

Partner relationships

Staff development

Event execution

Job description

At Upper Crust Food Service we believe great food does more than fill plates, it creates connection, strengthens communities, and transforms everyday experiences. Across college campuses, K-12 schools, camps, and Greek housing, our teams bring hospitality to life through fresh food, meaningful relationships, and service people can count on. While we began serving fraternity and sorority communities more than 15 years ago, we've grown into a national hospitality partner supporting a wide range of dining programs across the country. No matter the setting, our purpose remains the same: to show up for the people we serve and for one another.

If you're looking for meaningful work, real ownership, and a team that believes hospitality can make a difference, we'd love to meet you.

Field Operations · Full-Time · Travel Required

The heartbeat of the subregion.

At Upper Crust, Area Managers are the people our partners rely on. You recruit and grow the team who delivers every meal. You hold the line on quality, budget, and standards. You show up on-site, on time, and on purpose. This isn’t a desk job. It’s a relationship job.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lead a team of chefs, frontline staff, and support roles across your subregion.
• Own menu quality, spec sheet adherence, and the creative bar every kitchen is held to.
• Manage budget and spend; food, labor, and the non-food items most people overlook.
• Build trust with on-site partners through consistent presence and proactive communication.
• Execute special events that partners remember; tailgates, parent weekends, holiday dinners.
• Uphold food safety, sanitation, and allergen standards without exception.
• Respond to staffing emergencies like the whole operation depends on it. Because it does.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Real experience running food service operations and leading teams.
• Comfort with budgets, costs, and the discipline it takes to hold the line.
• A track record of building partner relationships that result in trust and renewals.
• Sharp judgment when a shift falls apart at 6 AM.
• Willingness to be in the field, that’s where this work happens.

WHAT YOU GET

• A role with real scope and real accountability.
• Support that grows with your subregion. Culinary Leads, coordinators, and a tiered structure that recognizes bigger books of business.
• A team that holds each other to a high standard and celebrates when it’s met.
• The chance to matter to people who matter.

Built in kitchens. Lived in the field.

Upper Crust Food Service is an equal opportunity employer.