School Food Service Manager – Lead Culinary & Operations

Southwest Foodservice Excellence, Llc; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with pre-tax and Roth

Paid time off

Employee discounts

Job summary

Lindbergh School District-District Office, St. Louis, MO, seeks a Chef Manager to oversee food service operations and lead a team for district meals. The role requires managing costs, revenue growth, and staff performance while ensuring high standards of quality and sanitation.

The ideal candidate has a culinary leadership background, P&L accountability, and experience in K-12 food service. This is a full‑time on‑site position offering competitive pay and benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and 2–5 years in food service.
• Experience as Chef Manager, preferably in the K-12 market.
• Proven P&L accountability for revenue and cost management.
• Strong knowledge of food cost controls, sanitation, and presentation.
• Excellent leadership and client-relations skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and POS systems.

Responsibilities

• Manages salaried managers and hourly associates in the Food Service Department.
• Oversee the overall management, direct client interface, direction, and quality of the account.
• Train the Assistant Food Service Director to take on newly awarded contracts or other current business.
• Leads program innovation efforts to ensure academic success through feeding more students.
• Establishes and maintains excellent relationships with District Administrative staff.
• Hiring, training, and development of staff; plans, assigns, and directs work; performance reviews.
• Prepares district annual budget and manages labor, food costs, and other elements to deliver targets.
• Completion of required daily/weekly/monthly reports such as inventory, payroll/timekeeping, etc.
• Oversees and participates in the preparation and service of food and beverage items per SFE standards.
• Achieve company objectives in sales, service, quality, appearance and sanitation through training and a positive working environment.
• Control cash and receipts per policies; ensure accurate cash handling and reconciliation.
• Support operations to maintain high customer service standards and efficient service.

Skills

P&L accountability

Budget management

Leadership

Food service management

K-12 experience

Communication skills

Contract management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

POS systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Lindbergh School District-District Office, St. Louis, MO, seeks a Chef Manager to oversee food service operations and lead a team for district meals. The role requires managing costs, revenue growth, and staff performance while ensuring high standards of quality and sanitation.

The ideal candidate has a culinary leadership background, P&L accountability, and experience in K-12 food service. This is a full‑time on‑site position offering competitive pay and benefits.