DIREctor, DINING SERVICES - La Canada Unified School District, CA

Chartwells K12's goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent.

About the role

As the Director of Dining Services, you will lead a dynamic dining program serving approximately 4,000 students across five schools within La Cañada Unified School District. This highly visible role oversees menu management, ordering, procurement, production planning, inventory control, recipe compliance, and staff training while ensuring exceptional food quality and operational excellence. You'll also champion student engagement initiatives including Mood Boost, Student Choice, Nutrition Game On, and Discovery Kitchen. A culinary background is strongly preferred, as you'll play a key role in elevating the student dining experience through creativity, consistency, and innovation.

The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven leader with strong client-facing skills and the ability to build trust with district administrators, school leaders, and Kitchen Managers. While the program includes approximately 25 union frontline employees, success in this role comes from collaboration, influence, and effective communication rather than direct management. This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive, solutions-oriented professional who thrives on strengthening partnerships, improving operations, and delivering a best-in-class dining program for students and the district.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and inspire our team of frontline associates.
• Drive strategic initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction and increase profitability.
• Recruit, train, and develop top talent within the organization.
• Own the annual budget and control costs optimally.
• Ensure adherence to quality, safety, and sanitation standards.
• Build strong relationships with clients, customers, and associates.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient functioning of a dining service operation.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Nutrition/Management/Hospitality/Culinary preferred or equivalent experience.
• Three (3) plus years of foodservice management experience.
• Previous P&L accountability or contract-managed services experience.
• Exceptional leadership and communication skills.
• Proficiency in computer skills.

Pay

Salary: $80,000 - $87,000

Annual Bonus Incentive up to 20%.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance
• 401K
• PTO
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Life Insurance / AD&D
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave