General Manager
Position Title: General Manager
Pay Grade: G16
Reports To: Regional Director
Salary: $105,000 - $140,000
Other Forms of Compensation: Bonus Plan
A family of companies and experiences
As the leading foodservice and support services company, Compass Group USA is known for our great people, great service and our great results. If you’ve been hungry and away from home, chances are you’ve tasted Compass Group’s delicious food and experienced our outstanding service. We have over 284,000 US associates who work in award-winning restaurants, corporate cafes, hospitals, schools, arenas, museums, and more in all 50 states. Our reach is constantly expanding to shape the industry and create new opportunities for innovation. Join the Compass family today!
great people. great services. great results.
Each and every individual plays a key role in the growth and legacy of our company. We know the next big idea can come from anyone. We encourage developing and attracting expertise that differentiates us as a company as we continue to raise the bar.
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced, high-energy, hands-on General Manager to lead a multifaceted, high-profile corporate dining account in Chicago. This multi-unit operation serves over 2,000 guests daily, with multiple outlets and a robust catering program. The GM will act as the CEO of the account, overseeing all operational, financial, and client relationship facets with a strong focus on operational excellence, culture, and innovation.
This is a hands-on leadership role suited for an operator who thrives in fast-paced, complex environments and can deliver under high visibility and pressure. The successful candidate will be entrepreneurial, adaptable, and able to “land in outer space” jumping in on day one to lead the team, drive results, and elevate the guest experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the visible, active leader of the operation; not hiding in the office but engaging directly with clients, guests, and teams daily.
- Build a strong, inclusive culture where change is embraced as a constant, and teams operate with a growth and entrepreneurial mindset.
- Manage, mentor, and develop a team of 10 salaried managers and approximately 60 hourly associates, fostering strong relationships and cross-functional collaboration.
- Champion initiatives across operations, culinary, QA, marketing, and DEI.
- Act as the primary liaison with the senior client leadership team, ensuring high-touch, proactive communication and relationship management.
- Respond to client and guest feedback promptly, with solutions-focused communication.
- Oversee day-to-day operations across multiple outlets and manage volume of $30 million.
- Ensure consistent delivery of top-tier food quality, hospitality, and service across all units.
- Lead innovation initiatives, scrapping and rebuilding processes as needed to improve efficiency and guest satisfaction.
- Manage P&L, maintain labor, food, and operating costs within budget while driving financial performance and profitability.
- Partner with district and regional leadership to execute budgets, forecasting, and strategic initiatives.
- Enforce all Compass Group and regulatory standards, including health, safety, HR, and sanitation protocols.
- Drive operational consistency and adherence to policies and procedures across all units.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
- Minimum of 5 years in multi-unit foodservice management, preferably in corporate dining, boutique hotel foodservice, or contract services.
- Strong background in pure operations with proven experience handling complex, high-pressure accounts.
- Demonstrated ability to “do more with less,” operate hands-on, and drive transformational change.
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
- Financial acumen with a track record of managing large-scale budgets and driving profitability.
- Experience managing catering operations and working cross-functionally with culinary, QA, marketing, and other departments.
- Passion for building strong relationships and leading high-performing teams.
- Resilient, adaptable, and able to quickly analyze gaps and implement solutions.
Apply to Compass Group today!
Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply.
Compass Corporate maintains a drug-free workplace.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Associates at Corporate are offered many fantastic benefits.
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Life Insurance/ AD
- Disability Insurance
- Retirement Plan
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
- Personal Leave
- Associate Shopping Program
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Discount Marketplace
- Identity Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here for paid time off benefits information.
Req ID: 1438600
Compass Corporate
Michael Abbey
[[req_classification]]
Nearest Major Market: Chicago
Job Segment:
Food Service, Relationship Manager, Chef, Culinary, Hospitality, Customer Service
