VCS Assistant Canteen Chief- Lebanon PA

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Lebanon (Lebanon County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Canteen Service, is seeking an Assistant General Manager for the Lebanon, PA VA Medical Center canteen. Bring 1–2 years of multi-unit food service or retail management and a passion for serving Veterans.

Lead daily operations across Patriot Café, Patriot Retail, and Patriot Brew, develop staff, drive sales, ensure food safety and quality, and manage budget performance while delivering outstanding customer service.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years direct food service or retail management experience.
• Hands-on leadership with focus on customer service and hospitality.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office apps (Word, Excel) and POS systems.
• ServSafe certification required (or obtained within 90 days).
• Current valid REAL ID to work with Veterans Canteen Service.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the Patriot Café, Patriot Retail, and Patriot Brew at the VA Medical Center.
• Supervise, train, and support assigned personnel to build a motivated, high-performing team.
• Deliver and promote outstanding customer service for Veterans, staff, and visitors.
• Ensure food quality, sanitation, cleanliness, and product availability to maintain high safety and service standards.
• Reinforce adherence to operational policies, procedures, and quality standards.
• Assist in inventory control, labor costs, and budget performance to optimize efficiency and profitability.
• Develop and implement local promotional programs to increase engagement and drive sales.
• Report to the Canteen Chief with updates on operations, performance, and compliance.

Skills

Management experience

Leadership

Technical skills

Certifications & credentials

REAL ID

Job description

Summary

Are you seeking a better work-life balance? Join an exceptional organization that prioritizes Veterans for an outstanding career! With over 80 years of serving our nation's Veterans - the Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) is currently seeking a dynamic Assistant General Manager for our Lebanon - PA VA Medical Center Canteen. Join our fast-paced environment if you have a passion for our Veterans and their families - along with prior multi-unit experience.

Qualifications

• Management Experience: Minimum of 1-2 years of direct food service and/or retail management experience. Proven track record of building sales - increasing profits - and developing staff.
• Leadership & Service Focus: Hands-on leadership style with a strong emphasis on customer service and hospitality.
• Technical Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word - Excel - etc.) and experienced with POS systems.
• Certifications & Credentials: ServSafe certification required (or must be obtained within 90 days of hire).
• A current - valid REAL ID is required to work with the Veterans Canteen Service.

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to the following: Operations Leadership: Support the daily operations of the Patriot Café́ - Patriot Retail - and/or Patriot Brew within the VA Medical Center
• Team Supervision & Development: Supervise - train - and support assigned personnel to build a motivated - high-performing team
• Customer Experience Excellence: Deliver and promote outstanding customer service standards to create a welcoming environment for Veterans - staff - and visitors
• Food Safety & Quality Assurance: Ensure food quality - sanitation - cleanliness - and product availability to maintain high safety and service standards
• Regulatory & Standards Compliance: Reinforce consistent adherence to established operational policies - procedures - and quality standards
• Financial & Resource Management: Assist in managing inventory control - labor costs - and budget performance to optimize efficiency and profitability
• Marketing & Promotions: Develop and implement local promotional programs to increase engagement and drive sales
• Leadership Accountability: Report directly to the Canteen Chief - providing updates on operations - performance - and compliance.