Area Manager

Upper Crust Food Service; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Upper Crust Food Service is seeking an Area Manager to lead field operations across a subregion in Missouri. You will recruit and grow the team, ensure menu quality, budget discipline, and on-site standards.

This hands-on, field-based role requires travel, strong partner relationships, and the ability to respond to staffing emergencies. You will drive safety, compliance, and memorable events for clients.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Real experience running food service

Budgets & cost discipline

Partner relationship building

Sharp judgment 6 AM shifts

Field presence in operations

Menu & spec sheet adherence

Partner relationship management

Special events execution

Safety, compliance & crisis response

Job description

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Required Skills

• 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.

Preferred Skills

• Menu & Spec Sheet Adherence
• Partner Relationship Management
• Special Events Execution
• Safety, Compliance & Crisis Response

Pay range and compensation package

$60K-$80K

Additional Information

• 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.
• IF THAT SOUNDS LIKE YOU, We'd like to talk.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Upper Crust Food Service is an equal opportunity employer.