Dining Services Director — Lead Culinary Ops & Guest Experience

Compass Group USA; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Paid Parental Leave

Holiday Time Off

Personal Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Compass Group USA, a leading foodservice and support services company, is seeking a Director of Dining Services in San Francisco. The role oversees daily dining operations, finances, team leadership, and client satisfaction to deliver exceptional dining experiences.

The ideal candidate brings strategic, hands-on leadership with a passion for food service excellence, develops teams, and collaborates with culinary professionals to implement seasonal menus and programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Business or related field.
• 3-5 years of progressive food service management experience in contract dining, hospitality, catering, or high-volume environments.
• Proven experience managing budgets, financial reporting, and cost controls.
• Strong background in catering, events, and high-volume food production.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for all food service operations, including retail dining, catering, and special events.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, guests, and key stakeholders to ensure exceptional service and satisfaction.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef and culinary team to design seasonal menus and culinary programs.
• Lead all financial aspects of the account, including budgeting, forecasting, invoice processing, daily sales reporting, and period-end closing.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and allergen protocols; champion a culture of safety for associates and guests.
• Conduct daily pre-service meetings to align the team on expectations and standards.
• Lead recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, training, and performance management for dining associates.
• Drive customer engagement and business growth through marketing initiatives, menu innovation, and catering showcases.
• Ensure high standards of service, cleanliness, and presentation across all dining and hospitality areas.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Compass Group USA, a leading foodservice and support services company, is seeking a Director of Dining Services in San Francisco. The role oversees daily dining operations, finances, team leadership, and client satisfaction to deliver exceptional dining experiences.

The ideal candidate brings strategic, hands-on leadership with a passion for food service excellence, develops teams, and collaborates with culinary professionals to implement seasonal menus and programs.