About UMass Amherst
The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.
Job Summary
Under the direct supervision of the Executive Director of Dining Services (EDS), responsible for the overall success of Retail Dining Services (RDS) and oversight of the day-to-day operations of Residential Dining Services (RDS). The Director of Dining Operations provides leadership in developing and executing strategies to deliver high quality dining experiences and excellent customer service to University students, faculty, staff, campus visitors, and guests, while achieving operational and financial goals and ensuring safety and sanitation standards are maintained. Specific areas of responsibility include the oversight of the University's self-operated dining operations, maintenance, and janitorial.
Essential Functions
Planning
- Assists the Executive Director in the planning and administration of a multi-faceted dining program with financial responsibility for an annual budget of $120 million, including shared responsibility for all aspects of customer service, quality control, food, labor and operating costs.
- Develops a vision for the future of the department, pursues new avenues of growth, and prepares strategic plans accordingly.
- Analyzes the state of the Dining operations internally to determine actions and policies that will enhance collaboration, improve employee morale, and add benefit to Dining’s customers.
- Participate in administrative staff meetings; serve on committees as requested; conduct training and development programs for assigned personnel.
- Cultivate and maintain a respectful, cooperative work environment for a diverse and unionized workforce.
- Understands, is committed to and supports affirmative action and non-discrimination goals and customer focused quality services.
- Financial Oversight: Manage multi-million-dollar budgets across dining operations. Develop revenue generation as well as cost control measures and ensure financial responsibility in purchasing, labor and waste reduction.
- Recruit, train, mentor, and retain a high-performing, diverse workforce.
Operations
- Regularly visits all Dining operation units to monitor customer service, food preparation methods, portion sizes and presentation of food to ensure that food is prepared and presented per UMASS dining’s established food service standards. Assure product quality, staffing levels, equipment maintenance and wear, as well as Dining Common management visibility. Consults with unit Associate Directors and Exec. Director of Residential Dining and Retail Services when changes are necessary.
- Maintains and enhances communications and working relationships with customers, student organizations, campus departments, vendors, and summer conference groups. Resolves any and all problems and customer complaints in a professional manner.
- Oversee logistics coordination of large campus events.
- Maintains highest levels of safety and sanitation to comply with all University, county, state, and federal standards and regulations.
- Coordinate the preparation and delivery of food services for all special functions, maintain an effective quality assurance program, establish and maintain food service standards.
- Promote program enhancements, sustainability efforts, team accomplishments and UMass Dining vision alignment to staff, customers and students.
- Assess Dining Services performance in relation to established goals; recommend new approaches, menus, policies or procedures to effect continued improvement of efficiency and effectiveness.
- Oversee the maintenance and repair of buildings and equipment of Dining Services. Assist the Exec. Director, Residential Dining and Retail Services to ensure that the facilities are properly maintained.
- Ensure that University Policies are adhered to in the delivery of food services; set and approve uniform policies for RDS. Maintain metrics, reports, process documentation, customer service logs, training and safety records.
- Identify reporting and data processes that are inefficient and drive change that will lead to measurable gains in data quality and processing time
Other Functions
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s degree preferably in hospitality management, business, culinary arts, or relevant field.
- A minimum of eight years of progressive management experience in a large volume residential dining environment with multiple dining centers or relevant management in other large and multi-unit dynamic restaurant environments.
- Microsoft Office proficiency.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to make decisions and act in a dynamic working environment to achieve organizational goals.
- Strong ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with multiple constituents.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
ServSafe Certification preferred upon hire, or obtainable within 90 days of hire.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
Typical office environment, driving and some travel to other campuses.
Work Schedule
- Monday - Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm.
- Flexible unrestricted schedule to ensuring high visibility and availability.
Salary Information
Level 32
Exempt Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please complete online application and provide cover letter, resume, and contact information for (3) three professional references.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.