Assistant Food Service Director, Retail Operations

We are seeking a Assistant Food Service Director, Retail Operations who will provide the day-to-day vision, planning, and direction for all retail, partner, and affiliate locations across campus, focusing on student satisfaction and engagement, quality execution, and service. They will work closely with the Director of Operations for Hopkins Dining and the Chef de Cuisine in the development and execution of menus, as well as creating the right experience for the students in retail dining across campus, including partners and affiliates.

Focusing on the student experience and quality execution will be vital in the role. This leader will be responsible for developing and growing the operations team at the locations. The Assistant Food Service Director for Retail Operations supports the overall retail, partner, and affiliate locations as needed under the direction of the Hopkins Dining Director of Operations.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Operations

• Leads all daily retail, partner, and affiliate operations across Homewood Campus and will be responsible for supporting the retail operational team.
• Collaborates with the culinary team on culinary execution at the locations.
• Oversees operational and financial management at the locations.
• Provides direction and support for the General Managers and Team leaders.
• Manages a team of 125 bargaining unit employees and up to 5 team leaders.
• Collaborates with the Chef de Cuisine on culinary execution and standards.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with students, campus constituents, and dining team members.
• Works in partnership with Student Advisory committees, including but not limited to Student Government, Sustainability, and the Plant Forward groups.
• Responds and assists in any student service issues.
• Ensures team members have the tools necessary to complete their jobs.
• Ensures show quality standards are maintained at all times.
• Supports and communicates University initiatives.
• Collaborates with the Marketing team to execute marketing initiatives for retail, partner, and affiliate locations.
• Assists Employee Labor Relations with managing bargaining unit hourly staff as aligned with the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Participates in First-step grievance meetings with UniteHere Local 7, sends resolution to the union and Labor Relations, and may participate in Second-step grievance meetings in the absence of the Director of Operations for Hopkins Dining.
• Assists Human Resources with managing Team Leader hourly staff as aligned with the University Policies.
• Ensures the location of the physical plant and equipment are maintained and in good working condition.
• Works closely with the Department of Facilities and Real Estate to ensure timely response to facility-related work orders.
• Ensures authenticity in menus, including the digital signage.
• Sets high expectations for customer service, product knowledge, and education among all staff (BU team members and team leaders).
• Drive outcomes with Point-of-Sale technology, including registers and mobile ordering platform.
• Works with the Hopkins Dining Support team to ensure all areas are represented in the location and there is an intentional collaboration between the Support team, the location management, and BU team members.
• In collaboration with the Hopkins Dining Safety and Sanitation team, oversee the retail, partner, and affiliate safety and sanitation initiatives.

General Administration

• Assists in the general administration of the department, including the establishment and implementation of policies and procedures, personnel administration, and crisis management.
• Supports the Director of Operations in strategic planning, meal plans, and food services throughout the retail, partner, and affiliate dining programs.
• Oversees the day-to-day retail for the department.
• Manages affiliate and partner contracts and the campus beverage and snack vendor accounts.
• Collaborates with Marketing on all retail, partner, and affiliate marketing efforts to ensure the messages are appropriate for the Campus Community.
• Oversees the financial performance of all retail operating units in dining services.
• Assists with the department's capital plan, including the focus areas of maintenance needs and renovation cycles.
• Project management planning and development of location and brand planning.

Contract Administration

• Manage the day-to-day relationship with campus affiliates and partners, assuring the highest level of operations, food preparation, customer service, food variety, and quality.
• Ensure a