General Manager

Bon Appétit Management Company; Kenosha (WI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Discount Marketplace

Job summary

Bon Appétit Management Company is seeking an experienced General Manager to lead Carthage College dining operations. You will oversee all dining program aspects, ensuring operational excellence, financial stewardship, guest satisfaction, and strong team engagement.

The ideal candidate will bring direct higher education dining experience, manage residential and retail dining, catering, and campus partnerships, and drive continuous improvement in service standards.

Qualifications

• Direct higher education dining experience required.
• Proven leadership of multi-manager teams in a hospitality or food service setting.
• Strong financial management including budgets, forecasting, and P&L analysis.
• Experience partnering with campus stakeholders and delivering guest-focused dining.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and support a diverse team of managers and frontline associates.
• Foster engagement, learning, growth, and recognition across the dining program.
• Conduct staff meetings, performance discussions, and training programs.
• Support hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and succession planning.
• Operate in alignment with budgets and client expectations and manage P&L.
• Oversee purchasing, inventory controls, food cost management, and labor optimization.
• Commit to food safety, HACCP, and compliance with regulations.
• Collaborate with culinary teams to develop menus meeting client expectations.

Skills

Leadership

Higher education dining

Financial acumen

Communication

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Conflict resolution

Menu planning

Staff development

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

ServSafe Certification

Job description

Bon Appétit is seeking an experienced and collaborative General Manager to lead campus dining operations at Carthage College. In this role, you will oversee all aspects of the dining program, ensuring operational excellence, financial stewardship, outstanding guest experiences, and strong team engagement.

The ideal candidate brings direct higher education dining experience and understands the unique needs of a college campus environment, including residential dining, retail dining operations, catering, student engagement, and partnership with campus stakeholders. You will serve as a strategic partner to the college while creating a welcoming, inclusive dining experience for students, faculty, staff, and guests.

As a leader, you will foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement while supporting the professional growth and development of your team. You will also work closely with campus partners to ensure dining services contribute to the overall student experience and institutional goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and support a diverse team of managers and frontline associates.
• Create an environment that encourages engagement, learning, growth, and recognition.
• Conduct employee meetings, performance discussions, and training programs.
• Support hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and succession planning efforts.
• Foster strong relationships across departments and campus leadership teams.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with college administration, campus stakeholders, students, faculty, and guests.
• Ensure exceptional hospitality standards and service excellence throughout all dining operations.
• Collaborate with culinary teams to develop menus that meet client expectations and evolving dining trends.
• Respond proactively to guest feedback and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Support the integration of dining services into the broader campus experience.
• Manage the account in alignment with approved budgets and client expectations.
• Oversee financial performance, including P&L management, budgeting, forecasting, sales reporting, and financial analysis.
• Analyze operational and financial trends to drive performance and identify opportunities for growth.
• Manage purchasing, inventory controls, food cost management, and labor optimization.
• Ensure adherence to cash-handling procedures, reconciliation practices, and financial controls.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Maintain high standards for food quality, sanitation, and workplace safety.
• Oversee HACCP procedures and proper food storage and handling practices.
• Monitor compliance with health, fire, and safety regulations related to food preparation and service.

What We're Looking For

• Demonstrated leadership experience within a higher education dining environment, including college or university food service operations.
• Experience managing complex dining programs, including residential dining, retail dining, and catering services.
• Proven success leading, developing, and mentoring teams in a hospitality or food service environment.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasting, P&L statements, food costs, labor costs, and inventory controls.
• Experience building relationships with clients, campus leadership, students, and other key stakeholders.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, HACCP principles, and operational compliance requirements.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, organizational, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of service and operational excellence.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, Culinary Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience within contract-managed or self-operated collegiate dining programs.
• Strong catering and special events experience within a campus environment.
• Demonstrated success achieving operational, financial, and guest satisfaction goals.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• ServSafe Certification or Department of Health certification preferred.

Associates at Bon Appetit are 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. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf

Bon Appetit 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.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.