Budgeting, Catering Services, Communication Skills, Contract Management, Cost Control, Customer Satisfaction, Customer Support/Service, Diversity, Ecosystems, Food Safety, Food Services, Higher Education, Hospital, Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Mentoring, Operational Strategy, Profit & Loss, Regulations, Retail, Retail Operations, Revenue Forecasting, Safety/Work Safety, Sanitation, ServSafe Certification
Lead the Future of Campus Dining
Are you a strategic hospitality leader with a proven track record of managing complex, multi-unit food operations? The University of Tennessee at Martin is seeking a General Manager to serve as the senior-most leader for our campus dining ecosystem.
In this high-visibility role, you will be the primary architect of the student experience, overseeing a diverse portfolio that includes Residential Dining, High-End Catering, and Retail operations. If you are a "Manager of Managers" who thrives on financial accountability and client partnership, we want to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic & Operational Leadership: Direct all contract management services for the account, providing a local vision that sustains growth and elevates service standards.
- Financial Accountability: Take full ownership of the P&L, including budgeting, revenue forecasting, cost control, and payroll oversight for a high-volume unit.
- Team Excellence: Lead, mentor, and develop a management-level administrative team, fostering a culture of professional growth and high-level accountability.
- Client Partnership: Act as the primary point of contact for University stakeholders, ensuring total contract compliance and exceptional client satisfaction.
- Innovation: Implement data-driven solutions and creative dining concepts to optimize profitability and the student experience.
Requirements
- Leadership Depth: Minimum of 5 years in a formal management role, with specific experience supervising other manager-level reports (Manager of Managers).
- Industry Expertise: Minimum of 5 years of food service management experience, ideally within a high-volume campus, hospital, or corporate environment.
- Financial Acumen: Proven history of full P&L ownership, including budgeting and revenue optimization for multi-outlet operations (Residential, Retail, and Catering).
- Education: Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant leadership experience.
- Compliance: Deep knowledge of food safety (ServSafe), sanitation standards, and workplace safety regulations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading large-scale contract foodservice operations (e.g., Higher Ed or large institutional systems).
- A career history showing stable tenure and progressive growth (averaging 3+ years in previous leadership roles).
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to pivot between strategic boardrooms and high-paced operational floors.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to lead a premier institution's dining program where your financial expertise and passion for hospitality directly impact thousands of daily lives. We offer a collaborative environment, competitive benefits, and a platform for senior-level professional impact.
The company is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.