Dining Director / Chef - Newberry, SC

Compass Group USA; Newberry (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Holiday Time Off

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

FSAs

Personal Leave

Job summary

Canteen, part of Compass Group USA, seeks a forward-thinking Chef / Dining Director to lead the corporate café program. Deliver exceptional dining experiences while driving operational excellence and client relationships at the executive level.

The ideal candidate combines culinary creativity with strong client partnerships, cost control acumen, and a passion for seasonal, quality-driven menus.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of culinary management experience in contract dining, fine dining, or high-volume upscale environments.
• Proven ability to develop trusted client partnerships and tailored solutions.
• 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.

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 management

Client partnerships

Culinary trends

Cost control

Inventory management

Operational leadership

Culinary storytelling

HACCP

Food safety

P&L management

ServSafe

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Other Forms of Compensation:Yearly Bonus Opportunity

Canteen brings break time to everyone. We combine food, service, and experience backed by industry-leading technology to help companies create a better workplace and connect their employees. Canteen’s solutions include markets, office coffee and snacks, unattended retail, and culinary.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their dedication, collaboration, and passion fuel our growth. Interested in joining our team? You bring the enthusiasm, customer service, and commitment; we’ll supply the opportunity and innovation. Together, we’ll continue to transform our industry.

Come grow with us. We are Canteen.

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.

Canteen is a member of Compass Group USA

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.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Canteen maintains a drug-free workplace.

Associates at Canteenare offered many fantastic benefits.

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

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Nearest Major Market: Columbia Nearest Secondary Market: South Carolina Job Segment: Chef, Culinary, Food Service, Hospitality