General Manager

SFE- Southwest Foodservice Excellence; Shiprock (NM); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Paid time off

401(k) with pre‑tax and Roth options

Health Savings Account

Telemedicine

Employee Assistance Program

Employee discounts

Flexible work options

Job summary

SFE- Southwest Foodservice Excellence is seeking a General Manager to lead K‑12 food service across district sites. You will supervise salaried and hourly teams, manage client relationships with district leaders, and drive program growth while ensuring high-quality, nutritious meals.

The role emphasizes leadership, strategy, and hands-on execution in service and operations, with accountability for budget, staff development, and program performance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years in food service with 2–3 years as a Food Service Director (K‑12 preferred).
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Adobe Acrobat.

Responsibilities

• Manage salaried managers and hourly staff across multiple school sites.
• Direct all aspects of account management and client relationships with district leadership.
• Train and develop Assistant Managers to support growth or new contracts.
• Lead efforts to increase student participation and support academic success.
• Oversee budget preparation and manage labor, food, and operating costs.
• Ensure timely completion of reports including inventory, production, and payroll.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

P&L accountability

Cost control

Strategic planning

Independent work

Team development

Education

High school diploma / GED

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Lead with Purpose! Become a General Manager in K-12 Food Service! Are you ready to take the reins and drive impact in a school district's food service program? As a General Manager, you'll lead a dedicated team, oversee daily operations, and build strong relationships with district leaders 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 school district site or group of sites. 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 across multiple school sites
• Direct all aspects of account management and client relationships
• Train and develop Assistant Managers to support business expansion or new contracts
• Lead innovative efforts to increase student participation and support academic success
• Build and maintain strong relationships with district 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 (K‑12 experience preferred)
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Adobe Acrobat
• 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 K‑12 nutrition standards
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively with executive leadership

Experience With POS Systems And Online Reporting Tools Preferred

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

At SFE, we believe great work starts with great people. That's why we offer dependable Monday–Friday, day‑shift schedules, competitive pay, and a benefits package designed to support your life — both at work and at home.

Eligible employees enjoy comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, a 401(k) with pre‑tax and Roth options, employer‑contributed Health Savings Accounts, and access to wellness tools like Telemedicine and an Employee Assistance Program. We also offer employee discounts and flexible options when life changes.

If you're looking for stability, work‑life balance, and a company that truly invests in its people, SFE may be the perfect fit.

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