As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

740 Library Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14627

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

200102 Office for Student Life

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 118

Compensation Range:

$140,350.00 - $210,525.00

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Responsibilities:

GENERAL PURPOSE

Provides visionary leadership, continuous innovation, operational excellence and financial oversight for the University’s self-operated dining, catering, retail services program and auxiliary operations serving residential undergraduates, graduates, faculty, alumni, staff, and guests. Success is characterized by superior nutritionally balanced and high quality food services to the satisfaction of our diverse patrons. The service provides consistently excellent customer-oriented offerings in an engaged and upbeat environment. Actively collaborates on reimagining dining, catering and retail services by engaging with the broader campus community with particular attention on fostering sustainability plan that aligns with the University’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives.

Leads the strategic direction of the dining, catering and retail services programs using data analytics to monitor performance, demonstrate fidelity to the strategic plans, and to provide recommendations and decisions to university leadership, invested stakeholders, and the campus community.

Designs, directs and oversees all aspects of a comprehensive self-operating University Dining program consisting of student, staff and faculty dining, catering services and retail services; all characterized by high-quality menus with particular attention paid to dietary restrictions due to religious practices and allergens, well-maintained facilities, excellent customer service, responsiveness to students and all other campus stakeholders.

Scope of responsibilities in support of the food services mission of the University includes all non-medical center locations including the River Campus, Eastman Campus, and other supplementary locations.

Scope of responsibilities in support of auxiliary operations includes the medical center, the River Campus, the Eastman Campus, and other supplementary locations.

This position serves as the key spokesperson for all dining, catering, and retail inquiries and concerns, keeps abreast of national best practices and trends, and new advances within the industry. Additionally, this role monitors and ensures compliance with food safety laws and regulations, University policies and procedures, and other required articles.

Strategic Leadership

• Responsible for the program development, profitability, and oversight of the University Dining program. Develops and implements a strategic plan and dining services strategy that aligns with the University’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives. Gains buy-in from key stakeholders across the organization.

• Utilizes market-leading practices in higher education food services to develop, direct and implement a comprehensive University Dining and Catering Service program that is progressive, competitive, assessable, and specific to the campus community.

• Develops and maintains transparent, collaborative partnership with URMC dining leadership to ensure standardization, and organizational efficiencies to enhance purchasing power across the organization.

• Conducts ongoing research and analysis to identify emerging trends, competitive landscapes, patron needs and industry best practices. Monitors execution of plans and determines adjustments as needed.

• Collaborates with and oversees Culinary operations to develop and maintain high quality and diverse menus.

• Provide oversight of Auxiliary operations which consists of managing 3rd party contracts for vending services, laundry services, and the campus bookstores.

• Ensures well-maintained facilities (with special attention to avoiding cross contamination and food-borne illness), excellent customer service, well executed food-related contracts, and campus partnerships.

• Practices proactive and timely communications to ensuring responsiveness to emerging campus needs as well as external markets.

• Develops state-of-the-art digital presence, including website oversight, social media strategy, and mobile platforms.

• Directs marketing efforts for both retail dining and catering services to support revenue collection and brand consistency across service units and locations.

• Pursues vendor and partner relationships for improving residential dining plans while maintaining fiduciary accountability.

• Establishes key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact and effectiveness and optimization of dining initiatives. Gathers and analyzes data and metrics to develop regular reports and presentations. Makes presentations to university senior leadership.

Financial Management

• Manages and oversees a $37 million-dollar comprehensive University Dining, Retail and Catering program which includes residential, retail food operations and catering services. Oversees the vending, laundry, and bookstore contracts totaling $715k.

• Develops and directs dining services and auxiliary operations budgets, including food and beverage costs, labor expenses, safety, certifications, equipment, capital expenditures and facilities maintenance. Ensures efficient allocation of resources and budgets assigned to dining services to ensure activities are successfully met.

• Reviews progress and assesses current operational and financial situations with departmental leadership and Finance regularly.

Performance Management

• Leads, directs and manages the performance of direct reports, including a large union and student workforce.

• Provides direct supervision and coaching to ensure staff are working efficiently and collaboratively as a cohesive and effective team.

• Manages performance management related to staffing including but not limited to approving hiring decisions, providing ongoing supervision, addressing personnel issues and actions, and conducting performance reviews.

• Enhances performance quality by setting clear standards for monitoring progress, providing feedback, and identifying training needs for all the entire dining workforce.

• Implements improvement plans developing performance expectations for a culture of continuous growth and development, in alignment with University-wide goals and objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Builds and cultivates strong relationships with senior administrators, industry peers, faculty, students and the campus community to advance the University’s interests as it relates to the University Dining, Catering Services and retail services program.

• Understands and analyzes trends to enable the creation and growth of student-focused wholistic dietary programs.

• Directs catering service-related activities with Alumni Relations, Student Affairs, Sports and Recreation, and other university organizations and departments.

• Creates and runs focus groups aimed to better understand evolving university dining needs. Analyzes information gathered to assess feedback for specific and actionable program improvements.

Contract Management

• Engages in a regular review of key vendors and contracts. Initiates and manages RFP processes as warranted. Negotiates and manages internal and external contracts, including but not limited to food service and retail contracts, vending contracts, laundry contracts, and bookstore contracts in partnership with university purchasing. Develops and manages internal service level agreements.

• Manages licensing (liquor, catering and other).

Labor Relations

• Represents the University in collective bargaining negotiations in collaboration with other University stakeholders, advising on wages, benefits, and union and management practices.

• Ensures compliance with labor laws, employment policies and collective bargaining agreements.

Compliance

• Ensures program compliance with the University Sanitarian and the Environmental Health and Safety Office in accordance with Monroe County Department of Health guidelines.

• Develops, implements and measures policies and directives for food safety and nutrition of as it relates to the University Dining, Catering Services and retail services program.

• Develops and monitors food safety training such as Allergens and Serv Safe Certifications, Basic Food Safety and First Aid.

• Maintains knowledge of current industry best practices through association membership, training sessions, and continuing education and industry activities.

Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Service Management or other related field required.

• Five years of experience in the dining or culinary services industry required;

• Experience in a leadership or management position required;

• Experience in higher education required;

• Equivalent combination of education and experience required;

• Experience working in a self-operating dining program or other food service environment preferred.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills required.

• Ability to manage significantly complex projects, and design and implement new programs required.

• Ability to analyze, condense, and synthesize information and provide accurate analysis and summaries required.

• Ability to diplomatically overcome objections and effectively persuade key constituents required.

• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities. Strong attention to detail required.

• Proven strategic planning skills required.

• Ability to exercise independent judgment and follow established protocols and procedures required.

• Strong financial acumen and experience in business case development related to food services required.

• Experience in contract review with specific experience in vending for dining services required.

• Compliance and policy management related to food service industry required.

• Experience working with a diverse audience preferred.

• Previous leadership experience, including team management required.

• ServSafe Certification - required within 12 months of hire into position

• AllerTrain Certification - required within 12 months of hire into position

EOE Minorities / Females / Protected Veterans / Disabled:

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. This commitment extends to the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations.

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Learn. Discover. Heal. Create.

Located in western New York, Rochester is our namesake and our home. One of the world’s leading research universities, Rochester has a long tradition of breaking boundaries—always pushing and questioning, learning and unlearning. We transform ideas into enterprises that create value and make the world ever better.

If you’re looking for a career in higher education or health care, the University of Rochester may offer the perfect opportunity for your background and goals

At the University of Rochester, we commit to diversity, equity, and inclusion and united by a strong commitment to be ever better—Meliora. It is an ideal that informs our shared mission to ensure all members of our community feel safe, respected, included, and valued.