Campus Dining Manager

Syracuse University; City of Syracuse (NY); On-site; USD 69,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Syracuse University Campus Dining is seeking a Campus Dining Manager to oversee on-site dining facilities, supervise exempt supervisors and hourly staff, and drive the overall operation of a designated campus dining location. You will lead staffing, training, and performance decisions, while planning menus, forecasting food needs, and managing inventory and records.

The role requires creating budget recommendations, monitoring labor and food costs, and ensuring safety and quality standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 3–5 years of experience in food service management or an associate degree with 5–8 years in food service management.
• Higher education leadership experience preferred.
• Formal culinary training preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee exempt supervisors and hourly employees, including union staff.
• Manage employment decisions: evaluation, promotion, termination.
• Develop and maintain base staffing models for the unit location.
• Make data-driven decisions aligned with operations and strategy.
• Develop menus, forecast food needs, and maintain inventory and service records.
• Develop budget recommendations and adjust labor and food costs.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Data-driven decisions

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Associate in food service mgmt

Job description

Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.

Pay Range

Pay Range $69,000 - $80,000

Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.

Staff Level S5

FLSA Status

FLSA Status Exempt

Hours

Standard University business hours
8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer
This role requires schedule flexibility, including evenings and weekends, based on operational needs.

Job Type

Job Type Full-time

Unionized Position Code Not Applicable

Job Description

Syracuse University Campus Dining is comprised of more than 30 on-campus eateries, including multiple ‘All You Care to Eat’ dining rooms, cafés, coffee houses, national brand franchise food courts, and retail convenience stores. The Campus Dining Manager is responsible for the oversight and operational strategy of a designated Campus Dining location, supervising exempt supervisors and hourly employees. The manager is accountable for the overall operation of campus dining, managing, training, and holding all staff accountable.
The manager oversees all employment-related decisions, including hiring, training, evaluation, promotion, and termination within the unit. Additionally, the role involves planning and developing menus, forecast food needs, maintain inventory and service records, and developing budget recommendations. The manager also reviews and adjusts labor and food costs to achieve departmental goals. The Campus Dining Manager provides unit leadership to uphold all quality and safety standards as set by the Office of the Chief Operations Officer.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years of experience in food service management or an associate degree with 5-8 years of experience in food service management.
• Higher education employment experience in a leadership role preferred.
• Formal culinary training preferred.
• Union work environment experience preferred.

Skills and Knowledge

• Excellent leadership, organizational, time management and communication skills.
• Well-developed analytical, technical, computer and oral and written communication are necessary for this position.
• Ability to make autonomous, data-driven decisions based on current business operations and defined departmental strategy.
• Knowledgeable in current culinary trends and specialty areas: i.e., Kosher and Halal dietary rules; international cuisine, national franchise brand standards.
• Must be able to teach and motivate all employees: supervisors, union, student, and temporary employees.
• Must be able to support all areas of Campus Dining, including flexible/rotating work shift times.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, train, and provide strategic direction for exempt supervisors and hourly employees: including union, student, and temporary employees.
• Manage all aspects of employment, including evaluation, promotion, performance management, and termination decisions within the unit.
• Develop and maintain base staffing models for the unit location.
• Independently make data-driven decisions aligned with current business operations and departmental strategy.
• Utilize advanced analytical, technical, computer, and communication skills to ensure safe, efficient operations and deliver an exceptional culinary experience for customers.
• Prepare and present unit operational business review reports to senior leadership.
• Partner with Executive Chef to plan and develop menus, forecast food requirements, and maintain accurate inventory and service records.
• Develop budget recommendations and adjust labor and food costs to meet departmental objectives.
• Lead the unit achieving all safety, sanitation and quality compliance metrics and audits.
• Ensure proper staff training and address any non-compliance issues.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for all unit location inspections by university and government entities.
• Including supporting other Campus Dining work locations and the Catering Services Department at events as needed.
• All other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged walking and standing.
• Frequent pushing, twisting; Occassional stooping and reaching overhead.
• Some kneeling, crouching and stair climbing.
• Lifting and carrying 50 pounds.

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/12 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community

Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.

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