Food Operations Manager 2

Success is yours when you collaborate and work hard in our team-based culture.

Sodexo’s Campus Segment is seeking an experienced Food Operations Manager 2 to join our team at the University of Maine in beautiful Orono, Maine. Situated along the Stillwater River, UMaine is a vibrant flagship institution serving the state, the nation, and the world through its teaching, research, and outreach mission. As a showcase account and one of the largest campuses within Sodexo’s New England portfolio, it offers a dynamic, high-visibility environment for a strong hospitality leader.

UMaine’s dining program is robust and diverse, including Residential Dining, Retail, Catering, and Concessions, serving over 3,200 residential students in addition to the greater Orono community. The campus hosts Division I athletics, frequent community events, and leverages innovative dining technology such as KiwiBots, providing a unique opportunity to positively impact student well-being and the overall campus experience.

The Food Operations Manager 2 will oversee York Dining Hall, the smaller of UMaine’s two main residential dining facilities. Located on the east side of campus, York serves many upperclassmen and operates seven days per week, providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This leader will ensure consistent execution of Sodexo’s culinary, service, safety, and operational standards, delivering a high-quality dining experience while fostering a positive, engaging environment for students and staff alike.

• Lead day-to-day operations of York Dining Hall, ensuring excellent culinary and service standards.
• Manage, train, and develop a team of frontline associates and student employees to deliver exceptional experiences.
• Oversee scheduling, inventory, ordering, and forecasting to optimize labor and food costs.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and HACCP guidelines.
• Support special events, catering, and campus initiatives while maintaining operational excellence.
• Collaborate with university partners and Sodexo leadership to enhance programs and student engagement.
• Promote a culture of hospitality, teamwork, and continuous improvement across all shifts.

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

• Proven experience in high-volume food operations, preferably in campus dining, hospitality, or retail food service.
• Strong leadership and team development skills with the ability to inspire and motivate staff.
• Hands-on approach to culinary and operational management; comfortable supporting service when needed.
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving abilities.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations, inventory management, and operational best practices.
• Passion for creating memorable dining experiences and positively impacting student well-being.

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Minimum Education Requirement - Associate's Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience - 2 years
Minimum Functional Experience - 2 years work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.