Retail Operations Manager

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Lewiston (ME); On-site; USD 49,417 - 61,772; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Excellent benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Bates College in Lewiston, ME, seeks a dining operations supervisor to lead retail and culinary staff in a high-volume environment. You will manage hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and adherence to food safety standards while coordinating with campus partners on events and menus.

The role emphasizes teamwork, customer service excellence, and a commitment to inclusive, high-quality dining experiences across campus operations.

Qualifications

• Lead and develop retail and culinary staff in a college dining environment.
• Oversee daily operations, scheduling, and quality control.
• Manage inventory, vendor relations, and merchandising to drive sales.

Responsibilities

• Lead hiring, onboarding, and development of staff.
• Oversee open/close procedures and food safety protocols.
• Monitor inventory, stock replenishment, and merchandising.
• Plan and execute campus events and menus.
• Ensure safety and compliance across dining spaces.

Skills

Staff management

Operations oversight

Inventory control

Safety & compliance

Customer service

Team leadership

Education

High school diploma

Associate/Bachelor desired

Driver's license

Serve Safe certification preferred

Job description

Overview

Located in Lewiston, Maine, Bates is internationally recognized as a leading liberal arts college. We offer a highly personalized education that centers on deep and sustained interactions among students, faculty, and community. We engage the forces — intellectual trends, demographic changes, and technology — transforming higher education and the world into which our students graduate.

Responsibilities

• Staff Management and Leadership: Lead the hiring, onboarding, and continuous professional development of retail associates and culinary personnel through collaboration with college colleagues and professional organizations. Manage retail operations scheduling, assign daily tasks, and strategically adjust coverage to manage staff absences. Provide clear direction on procedures; motivate retail associates and assistant managers while acting as the first line of intervention for conflict resolution.
• Operational Oversight: Ensure smooth, efficient daily openings and closings, maintaining high operational standards and overseeing necessary technology systems. Oversee food preparation, presentation, and portion control to ensure consistency, high quality, and compliance with shift/production checklists. Assist with menu development and food costing initiatives. Plan, coordinate, and oversee special Retail Operations events (including Bobcat Breaks, student events, and Curb Cat Events).
• Inventory and Merchandising Control: Monitor inventory levels, oversee regular counts, track requisitions, and manage stock replenishment. Partner with vendors to ensure the product mix remains current, diverse, and appealing to the campus demographic. Ensure all retail merchandise is displayed correctly in an appealing way to drive sales.
• Safety, Compliance and Sustainability: Enforce strict adherence to all food safety, health, and hygiene regulations, ensuring kitchens, storage areas, dining rooms, and equipment remain clean and sanitized. Implement and monitor safety protocols for all staff; maintain a high level of safety awareness and ensure any workplace injuries are reported within 24 hours. Champion sound environmental practices on the job, including composting, recycling, and active waste reduction.
• Teamwork and Professionalism: Set the standard for exceptional customer service, aiming for top-tier interactions across all touchpoints. Cultivate a positive, inclusive workplace rooted in open, two-way communication and deep respect for diversity. Build robust, collaborative partnerships with colleagues across the Dining department and the broader college community. Maintain flexibility to support other operational areas and execute assigned duties with professionalism.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High School diploma required.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a related field desired.
• Driver's license required.
• Serve Safe certification preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of six years’ food service experience.
• Previous experience in a collegiate food service environment desired.
• Previous supervisory experience desired.
• Previous experience in a fast-paced commercial restaurant required.

Skills and Knowledge

• Commitment to equity and inclusion, and serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse community.
• Commitment to customer service.
• Demonstrated ability to teach others.
• Exemplary organizational and time management skills are a must.
• Ability to multi-task with an eye for detail.
• Understands and thrives in a high-volume food service environment.

Benefits

Bates College offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits (health, dental, 9% retirement contribution with potential for an additional 3% match, sick leave, 24 days of vacation, 2 personal days, 13 paid holidays, dependent care subsidy, free parking, access to library and athletic facilities, and more). Bates also offers a supportive, collegial environment in a drug- and smoke-free workplace.

Hiring Range

The hiring range for this position is $49,417 to $61,772. Placement within the range depends on experience and other factors.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Bates College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity and providing an educational and work environment free from discrimination. The college prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status and other legally protected statuses in the recruitment and admission of its students, in the administration of its education policies and programs, or in the recruitment of its faculty and staff. Bates College adheres to all applicable state and federal equal opportunity laws and regulations. All college faculty, staff, students, contractors, visitors, and volunteers are responsible for understanding and complying with the Non-Discrimination Policy. Inquiries concerning the college’s policies, compliance with applicable laws, statutes, and regulations (such as Title VII, Title IX, and ADA/Section 504), and complaints may be directed to Gwen Lexow, Title IX Officer, 207-786-6445 or via email at [e-mail].

About Bates

Bates is internationally recognized as a leading liberal arts college, attracting 2,000 students from across the U.S. and around the world. Since 1855, Bates has been dedicated to educating the whole person through creative and rigorous scholarship in a collaborative residential community. Bates is committed to opportunity and excellence and has always admitted students without regard to gender, race, religion, or national origin. Bates prepares leaders sustained by a love of learning and zeal for responsible stewardship of the wider world. The college engages the forces — intellectual trends, demographic changes, and technology — that are transforming higher education and the world into which our students graduate. Bates has highly competitive admissions, graduates over 90 percent of its entering students, and more than half of its alumni earn graduate degrees. Bates employs 200 faculty members and 550 staff. The college is rooted in Lewiston/Auburn, Maine’s second-largest urban area, and is located on a 133-acre New England campus. Lewiston is about 35 miles north of Portland, 140 miles north of Boston, and 350 miles north of New York City.

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July 15, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time