Food Service Director

Creative Dining Services; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Generous PTO

DailyPay access

Employee discounts

Pet insurance

Professional development

Career growth opportunities

Bonus opportunities

Job summary

Creative Dining Services seeks a Food Service Director to lead dining operations at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI. You will oversee daily operations, develop the management team, and drive an exceptional dining experience aligned with financial goals.

You will budget, control costs, and maintain client relationships while guiding a team to deliver high-quality service, sanitation, and compliance across the program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Hospitality Management, or related field, or at least 10 years of successful management experience.
• ServSafe certification.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate teams.
• Experience developing, managing, and adhering to budgets.
• Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily dining operations, ensure food quality, service, safety, sanitation, and company standards.
• Develop and manage budgets, monitor sales and profits, review financial reports and cost controls.
• Hire, train, coach, supervise, and evaluate managers and staff; support professional growth.
• Ensure team compliance with policies, regulations, food safety, sanitation, and training.
• Review KPIs, conduct quality assurance audits, implement corrective actions.
• Maintain client relationships; prepare business reviews and update clients on finances.
• Plan and evaluate marketing initiatives, merchandising programs, and new products to enhance dining and achieve goals.
• Lead regular team meetings and maintain professional communication with clients and colleagues.
• Evaluate processes to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction; propose practical solutions.
• Ensure accurate reporting of financial records and operational summaries.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Customer service

Communication

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree or 10 years of management experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Food Service Director

Newcomer, Brady Grand Rapids, MI, US

Food Service Director

Calvin University | Grand Rapids, MI | Full-Time

About Creative Dining Services

Creative Dining Services is a hospitality and food-service management company headquartered in Zeeland, Michigan. We partner with organizations across the country, including corporate offices, K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and senior living communities. Our focus goes beyond providing meals; we create memorable dining experiences, build relationships, and bring people together through hospitality.

Where everyone has a seat at the table.

About the Role

Creative Dining Services is seeking a Food Service Director to lead dining operations at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In this role, you'll oversee daily operations, develop and support your management team, and ensure an exceptional dining experience while meeting financial and operational goals. You'll be responsible for budgeting, cost control, team development, quality assurance, and client relationships, helping create a successful and sustainable dining program.

What You’ll Do

• Lead Dining Operations: Oversee daily operations, monitor performance, and ensure food quality, service, safety, sanitation, and company standards are consistently maintained.
• Manage Financial Performance: Develop and manage budgets, monitor sales and profits, review financial reports, identify opportunities for improvement, and maintain responsible cost controls.
• Develop Your Team: Hire, train, coach, supervise, and evaluate managers and staff while identifying development opportunities and supporting professional growth.
• Maintain Compliance: Ensure team members follow company policies, employment regulations, food safety requirements, sanitation standards, and required training programs.
• Monitor Quality and Performance: Review key performance indicators, conduct quality assurance audits, address operational concerns, and implement corrective action plans when needed.
• Build Strong Client Relationships: Communicate regularly with clients and the Operations Director, prepare business reviews, share financial updates, and support long-term account retention.
• Support Marketing and Merchandising: Plan and evaluate marketing initiatives, merchandising programs, and new products or procedures that enhance the dining experience and support business goals.
• Promote Clear Communication: Lead regular team meetings, communicate company updates and initiatives, and maintain professional, timely communication with clients and colleagues.
• Drive Continuous Improvement: Evaluate operational processes, identify opportunities to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction, and recommend practical solutions.
• Maintain Accurate Reporting: Ensure financial records, operational reports, meeting summaries, and other required documentation are completed accurately and on time.

What You’ll Bring

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Business , Hospitality Management, or a related field, or at least 10 years of successful management experience in lieu of a degree. Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered.
• ServSafe certification.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate teams.
• Experience developing, managing, and adhering to budgets.
• Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in Management, Hospitality, or a related field.
• Experience facilitating formal training and employee development.
• Experience overseeing food service or hospitality operations, including financial performance, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
• Competitive compensation + Bonus opportunities
• 401(k) Retirement with company match
• Generous PTO policy
• DailyPay earned wage access
• Significant discounts with partner companies
• Access to pet insurance
• Professional development and career growth opportunities

Why Creative Dining Services?

At Creative Dining Services, we believe hospitality is about more than food, it's about creating connections and making a positive impact on the people and communities we serve. Join a team that values creativity, collaboration, and delivering exceptional experiences.