Director, Dining Services - Alexandria Community Schools, IN

Director Of Dining Services

Join Chartwells at Alexandria Community Schools as the Director of Dining Services, leading food operations across three schools serving 1,400 students. In this role, you'll oversee 13 Chartwells frontline associates and manage all aspects of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and After-School Snack Program. This position requires a dynamic leader who can ensure compliance, drive participation, and deliver nutritious, appealing meals while fostering a positive, collaborative culture.

The ideal candidate is personable, community-focused, and skilled at building strong relationships with staff, district leaders, and local stakeholders. A typical day includes guiding daily operations, menu planning, food safety oversight, and engaging in community initiatives such as farm-to-school partnerships and wellness committees. Visibility in cafeterias, hands-on leadership, and proactive communication are key to success. If you have K-12 food service experience, a passion for service excellence, and the ability to lead with integrity and enthusiasm, we want you on our team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and inspire our team of frontline associates.
• Drive critical initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction and increase profitability.
• Recruit, train, and develop top talent within the organization.
• Oversees the annual budget and control costs.
• Ensure adherence to quality, safety, and sanitation standards.
• Build strong relationships with clients, customers, and associates.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient functioning of a dining service operation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate's degree in Food Services/Management/Hospitality/Culinary/Nutrition preferred, not mandatory.
• Three plus years of foodservice management experience, K12 experience is HIGHLY preferred.
• Knowledge of high-volume food production is preferred.
• Previous P&L accountability or contract-managed services experience.
• Exceptional leadership skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in computer skills.

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Chartwells K-12 maintains a drug-free workplace.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Associates at Chartwells K-12 are offered many fantastic benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, holiday time off, associate shopping program, health and wellness programs, discount marketplace, identity theft protection, pet insurance, commuter benefits, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, paid parental leave, and personal leave.