DINING DIRECTOR / CHEF

Compass Group USA; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Paid Parental Leave

Holiday Time Off

Personal Leave

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

FSAs

Job summary

Compass Group USA is seeking a forward-thinking, hospitality-driven Dining Director / Chef to lead our corporate café program. This senior role combines culinary leadership with high-visibility client relationships to deliver exceptional dining experiences and operational excellence.

You will develop authentic menus with regional flavors, mentor a diverse team, manage food cost and P&L, ensure HACCP compliance, and build executive relationships with clients.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of culinary management experience in contract dining, fine dining, or high-volume upscale environments.
• Strong client partnerships and ability to deliver tailored solutions.
• Deep knowledge of culinary trends and premium catering execution.
• Experience with cost control, inventory management, and operational leadership.
• P&L management experience in a contract dining environment preferred.
• HACCP standards and food safety practices knowledge.
• ServSafe certification required.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the culinary and café operation, delivering a seamless, elevated guest experience.
• Oversee inventory, ordering, and receiving with precision and efficiency.
• Create and execute seasonally inspired, chef-driven menus with a focus on quality and presentation.
• Drive financial performance, managing food cost, purchasing, and P&L accountability.
• Champion sustainability and responsible sourcing, with emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients.
• Design and execute innovative catering experiences for executive meetings and corporate events.
• Inspire, mentor, and develop your team to consistently deliver best-in-class food and service.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Client partnerships

Culinary trends

Cost control

P&L management

HACCP knowledge

ServSafe certification

Job description

A Family Of Companies And Experiences As the leading foodservice and support services company, Compass Group USA is known for our great people, great service and our great results. If you’ve been hungry and away from home, chances are you’ve tasted Compass Group’s delicious food and experienced our outstanding service. We have over 284,000 US associates who work in award-winning restaurants, corporate cafes, hospitals, schools, arenas, museums, and more in all 50 states. Our reach is constantly expanding to shape the industry and create new opportunities for innovation. Join the Compass family today!

Compass Corporate Position Title: Dining Director / Chef A Family Of Companies And Experiences As the leading foodservice and support services company, Compass Group USA is known for our great people, great service and our great results. If you’ve been hungry and away from home, chances are you’ve tasted Compass Group’s delicious food and experienced our outstanding service. We have over 284,000 US associates who work in award-winning restaurants, corporate cafes, hospitals, schools, arenas, museums, and more in all 50 states. Our reach is constantly expanding to shape the industry and create new opportunities for innovation. Join the Compass family today! great people. great services. great results. Each and every individual plays a key role in the growth and legacy of our company. We know the next big idea can come from anyone. We encourage developing and attracting expertise that differentiates us as a company as we continue to raise the bar. Job Summary: Join a team where culinary excellence meets innovation. We’re seeking a forward-thinking, hospitality-driven Chef / Dining Director to lead our corporate café program. This is a unique opportunity for a passionate culinary leader to deliver exceptional dining experiences while driving operational excellence. The ideal candidate will bring a strong client-facing background with the ability to build and maintain executive-level relationships, along with creativity and culinary expertise to develop authentic, innovative menus that showcase diverse regional flavors and techniques, delivering exceptional dining experiences that exceed guest and client expectations.

What You’ll Do

• Lead all aspects of the culinary and café operation, delivering a seamless, elevated guest experience
• Oversee inventory, ordering, and receiving with precision and efficiency
• Create and execute seasonally inspired, chef-driven menus with a focus on quality and presentation
• Drive financial performance, managing food cost, purchasing, and P&L accountability
• Champion sustainability and responsible sourcing, with an emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients
• Design and execute innovative catering experiences for executive meetings and corporate events
• Inspire, mentor, and develop your team to consistently deliver best-in-class food and service

What You Bring

• 5+ years of culinary management experience in contract dining, fine dining, or high- volume upscale environments
• A talent for developing trusted client partnerships and delivering strategic, tailored solutions that consistently exceed expectations
• Deep knowledge of culinary trends, workplace dining, and premium catering execution
• Proven success in cost control, inventory management, and operational leadership
• Experience with exhibition-style cooking and engaging guests through culinary storytelling
• Strong understanding of HACCP standards and food safety practices
• Experience managing P&L in a contract dining environment (preferred)
• ServSafe certification required

Why Join Us

Be part of a growing, dynamic culinary program where creativity is encouraged, quality is never compromised, and your leadership directly shapes the daily experience of a vibrant corporate community.

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Compass Corporate maintains a drug-free workplace.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Associates At Corporate Are Offered Many Fantastic Benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Personal Leave
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)