General Manager

SFE- Southwest Foodservice Excellence; Sells (AZ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SFE- Southwest Foodservice Excellence is seeking a General Manager to lead campus food service programs. You’ll manage salaried and hourly teams, direct client relationships with university leadership, and oversee budgets and operations to drive program growth.

The role requires strong leadership, budget discipline, and a focus on compliance with safety and nutrition standards, while building partnerships with school officials and administrators.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years in food service with 2–3 years as a Food Service Director (Higher Education preferred).
• Proficient in Excel, Word, and Adobe Acrobat; experience with POS systems and online reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead salaried managers and hourly staff across campus operations.
• Direct client relationships with campus leadership and school administrators.
• Train and develop Assistant Managers to support growth or new contracts.
• Oversee budgets, labor, food, and operating costs; ensure reports are completed on time.
• Drive sales, service quality, and facility upkeep; ensure food safety and sanitation standards.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Cost control

P&L accountability

Food service

Excel

Team management

Education

High School Diploma

Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)

Tools

POS Systems

Online Reporting Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Lead with Purpose - Become a General Manager in Higher Education Food Service! Are you ready to take the reins and drive impact for a campus' food service program? As a General Manager, you'll lead a dedicated team, oversee daily operations, and build strong relationships with leadership all while ensuring students receive high-quality, nutritious meals. This is your opportunity to combine leadership, strategy, and service to make a real difference every day.

Position Summary

The General Manager is responsible for overseeing food service operations across a campus. This includes leadership of salaried and hourly teams, direct client communication, financial oversight, operational efficiency, and program growth. The role requires a strong balance of leadership, strategy, and hands-on involvement in service and execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage salaried managers and hourly associates
• Direct all aspects of account management and client relationships
• Train and develop Assistant Managers to support business expansion or new contracts
• Build and maintain strong relationships with administrators and school boards
• Hire, train, evaluate, and support the development of all staff
• Oversee budget preparation and manage labor, food, and operational costs
• Ensure timely completion of required reports including inventory, production, and payroll
• Oversee food preparation and service in accordance with quality, safety, and sanitation standards
• Drive performance in sales, service, facility appearance, and cleanliness through staff training and development
• Follow all cash handling and reconciliation procedures
• Support daily service operations when needed to ensure smooth functioning
• Implement marketing and promotional activities to support program growth
• Fulfill additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or relevant vocational training (Bachelor's degree preferred)
• Minimum 5 years of experience in food service, with 2-3 years as a Food Service Director (Higher Education foodservice experience preferred)
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Adobe Acrobat
• Experience With POS Systems And Online Reporting Tools Preferred
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills
• P&L Accountability Experience And Strong Cost Control Skills
• Must be able to pass a background check, fingerprinting, and MVR audit (driving required)
• Deep knowledge of food service trends, food safety, cost controls, and nutrition standards
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively with executive leadership

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally
• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and use hands
• Moderate noise level in the work environment
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including occasional extended weeks
• Requires driving and attendance at meetings or company events

Weare an Equal Opportunity Employer (Gender/Minority/Veterans/Disabled) and participate with the federal E-Verify Employment Eligibility Program.