Strategic Director – Dining Finance & Procurement

Tufts University; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 119,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts University invites applications for the Director Dining Finance and Procurement. This senior role leads strategic finance, procurement, and supply-chain functions across Tufts Dining’s multi-unit operations, including budgeting, forecasting, inventory, meal-plan administration, and dining technology platforms.

The successful candidate will partner with campus finance, supervise finance staff, optimize procurement, drive cost control, and ensure compliance with university policies while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, finance, supply chain management, hospitality, or related field.
• 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, procurement, supply chain, or foodservice operations.
• Leadership experience supervising professional staff.
• Expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling for multi-unit operations.
• Strong procurement and contract negotiation skills.
• Experience with foodservice inventory and procurement systems (e.g., FoodPro or CBORD).
• Proficiency with enterprise financial systems, POS integrations, and advanced Excel.
• Knowledge of internal controls, audit requirements, and university financial policies.
• Understanding of food safety, traceability, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to communicate financial insights clearly to non-financial stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, financial, technological, and supply-chain leadership for a comprehensive, self-operated collegiate dining program.
• Oversee location budgeting, forecasting, accounting, procurement, inventory systems, meal plan and debit plan administration, and dining technology platforms across residential, retail, catering and central kitchen operations.
• Ensure fiscal responsibility, operational accuracy, sustainable purchasing, and compliance with university policies while aligning with Dining's operational realities with the institutions financial frameworks.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with operations, culinary, sustainability, campus IT and other stakeholders to integrate financial, procurement, and technology strategies.
• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for Accounting Coordinator, Business Dining Administrator, and other finance, procurement and administrative staff, ensuring strong internal controls, data integrity, and effective workflow management.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professional development, and continuous improvement across all reporting units.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Leadership

Financial analysis

Procurement

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

FoodPro

CBORD

POS systems

ERP systems

Job description

Tufts University invites applications for the Director Dining Finance and Procurement. This senior role leads strategic finance, procurement, and supply-chain functions across Tufts Dining’s multi-unit operations, including budgeting, forecasting, inventory, meal-plan administration, and dining technology platforms.

The successful candidate will partner with campus finance, supervise finance staff, optimize procurement, drive cost control, and ensure compliance with university policies while