Director, Dining Services - Bridgeport Spaulding Schools, Bridgeport, MI

Director Of Dining Services – Bridgeport‑Spaulding Community School District (Bridgeport, Mi)

Bridgeport‑Spaulding Community Schools is seeking a culinary‑driven, high‑energy Director of Dining Services to lead dining operations across three CEP campuses serving 1,450 students. You'll oversee an Assistant Director and up to 17 frontline team members while bringing excitement, flavor, and professionalism to breakfast, lunch, snack, supper, and summer programs. This is a role for a leader who loves being the face of the culinary program, connecting with kids, and creating meals that make students light up.

We're looking for someone dynamic, hands‑on, and people‑centered with strong culinary expertise and at least two years of food service management, and K‑12 experience is a huge advantage. The ideal candidate has flair, builds instant rapport with students and staff, and knows how to make the cafeteria the most welcoming spot in the school. If you're ready to bring passion, personality, and culinary excellence to a district that values joyful mealtime experiences — we want to meet you.

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.
• Two 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.

Chartwells K-12's goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent.

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. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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/AD, disability insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, holiday time off (varies by site/state), associate shopping program, health and wellness programs, discount marketplace, identity theft protection, pet insurance, commuter benefits, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts (FSAs), paid parental leave, and personal leave.

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Req ID: 1510422

Chartwells K12

Kristen Strohmyer

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