Food Operations Manager 1 at Sodexo

Shape the Future of Campus Hospitality Through Strong Operational Leadership

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE!

Sodexo's Campus Segment is seeking a Food Operations Manager 1 to join our team at the University of Maine at Farmington. This key leadership role supports the day-to-day success of campus dining operations with a strong focus on catering services, guest experience, and operational execution across all dining and hospitality venues.

The Food Operations Manager plays a pivotal role in ensuring high-quality service for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and external guests, while upholding Sodexo's standards and maintaining strong client relationships. This is a highly hands-on, fast-paced role that balances administrative responsibilities with active floor leadership and direct operational support.

• Oversee and support all aspects of campus catering operations, including planning, event execution, service logistics, staffing coordination, and quality control.
• Lead service delivery for a wide range of campus events: meetings, conferences, athletic events, admissions functions, alumni gatherings, and special campus activities.
• Serve as a visible, hands-on leader to ensure excellent guest experience, timely service, and smooth event flow.
• Assist with broader dining operations including retail support, residential dining coverage, staffing oversight, training, and daily operational execution.
• Ensure compliance with Sodexo policies, safety standards, food quality expectations, and financial targets.
• Build strong client relationships through proactive communication, responsiveness, and consistent service excellence.
• Support hiring, scheduling, coaching, and performance management for front-of-house and catering staff.
• Participate in menu planning, production meetings, and coordination with culinary and management teams.
• Lead operational problem solving, troubleshoot service challenges, and ensure seamless daily execution.
• Provide flexible coverage during evenings, weekends, holidays, orientation periods, and large campus events.

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.

• Experience in catering management, food operations, or hospitality leadership, preferably in a university or high-volume setting.
• Strong organizational, communication, and customer-service skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proven ability to lead teams, coordinate staffing, and maintain high service standards in a fast-paced environment.
• A hands-on leadership style with a willingness to support operations on the floor as needed.
• Ability to build positive relationships with clients, guests, student groups, and campus partners.
• Solid understanding of food safety, sanitation, and operational compliance standards.
• Flexibility to work varied schedules based on business needs, including weekends, evenings, and peak event periods.
• Proficiency with basic administrative tasks, event management tools, scheduling systems, and operational reporting.

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 - 1 year work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.