General Manager / Chef Manager

Sodexo; Oceanside, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Sodexo is seeking an Operations Leader in Oceanside, CA to own daily food and nutrition service operations, balancing hands-on leadership with strategic oversight.

You will inspire and lead a team, drive performance outcomes, and build meaningful relationships that enhance client and customer satisfaction, while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 2 years of management experience.
• 2 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Own daily food and nutrition service operations.
• Lead and inspire a team; drive performance outcomes.
• Build relationships to enhance client and customer satisfaction.
• Manage people, set direction, and deploy resources.
• Oversee performance evaluations, pay reviews, and staffing decisions.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Food production

Inventory control

Ordering systems

Safety & sanitation

Regulatory compliance

Team development

Coaching & mentorship

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

Job description

About the job

In this dynamic role, you'll take ownership of daily food and nutrition service operations, balancing hands‑on leadership with strategic oversight. You’ll inspire and lead a team, drive performance outcomes, and build meaningful relationships that enhance client and customer satisfaction.

Accountable for managing people, setting direction and deploying resources; typically is responsible for performance evaluation, pay reviews and hire/fire decisions. Results are primarily achieved through the work of others and typically depend on the manager's ability to influence and negotiate with parts of the organization. Progression within Career Band reflects acquisition of broad technical expertise, business and industry knowledge, and process and people leadership capabilities. Accountable for business, functional or operational areas, processes or programs, which may include dotted-line or matrixed management.

Pay Range: $67405 - $87230

Incentive Eligibility: Eligible to participate in Sodexo's incentive plan and earn variable compensation in addition to base salary

What’s in it for you

• Lead a high‑impact team and foster a culture of collaboration, quality, and service excellence.
• Make a direct difference by shaping the dining experience for clients and customers alike.
• Take pride in hitting financial targets while maintaining operational efficiency and compliance.
• Mentor and develop talent across all levels of your team to drive engagement and growth.
• Build strong client partnerships and contribute to long‑term satisfaction and retention.
• Stay close to the action with hands‑on involvement in daily operations.
• Be part of a company that values leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement.

What you’ll bring

• A culinary background with expertise in food production, inventory control, and ordering systems.
• Proven leadership skills with the skillset to build team culture, retain talent, and develop others through coaching and mentorship.
• In‑depth knowledge of safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance within food service environments.
• Excellent communication and organizational abilities with a track record of managing competing priorities effectively.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with a passion for delivering exceptional service and driving operational results.

Requirements

• Education Requirement: Associate’s degree or equivalent experience
• Management Experience: 2 years
• Related Experience: 2 years

What we offer

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

Who we are

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.