DIR, DINING SERVICES - Peru State College- PERU, NE

Job Summary

FRESH IDEAS is hiring an energetic and growth-minded DINING SERVICES DIRECTOR on the beautiful campus of PERU STATE COLLEGE.  In this top operations role, you will be responsible for overseeing the day to day Foodservice operations throughout our campus dining program. You will manage and lead a team of employees and you will be responsible for managing client relationships, profitability of the account, and talent development.

Living near Peru, Nebraska gives you access to fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a slower food culture — while still being within reach of larger dining scenes when you want a broader culinary adventure. It’s ideal for someone who enjoys cooking, supporting local producers, and savoring seasonal flavors. Peru State College is a significant part of the community, providing educational opportunities and cultural events. The college brings a youthful energy to the town.  Peru hosts various community events throughout the year, such as fairs, festivals, and local gatherings, which can be great for meeting people and getting involved.  Being near the Missouri River, residents can enjoy river-related activities and scenic views.   The town offers a peaceful and quiet environment, ideal for those who appreciate rural living and natural beauty. Southeast Nebraska is known for its orchards and harvest culture. In the fall, apple season becomes a foodie event in itself, especially with nearby Nebraska City’s orchards offering cider, pies, and seasonal festivals. It creates a rhythm to the year that food lovers really appreciate.  Peru’s charm is its natural beauty, relaxed pace, and small-town community spirit. Whether it’s a sunset walk along the river, a picnic on the trail, or joining in on a town festival, you’ll find plenty of peaceful and meaningful experiences here. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Manages salaried managers and hourly associates in the Food Service Department
• Oversees the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the account
• Interviews, hires, and trains associates; plans, assigns, and directs work; appraises performance; rewards and disciplines associates; addresses complaints and resolves problems
• Prepares and manages annual budget
• Utilize company systems for completion of required daily/weekly/monthly reports such as inventory, cash reports, production records, payroll/time-keeping, etc.
• Oversees and participates in the preparation and service of food and beverage items in adherence to company food standards for preparation, presentation, sanitation and safety (meeting HACCP and OSHA guidelines) and portion control
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

• B.S. Degree in Food Services Technology/Management or related field; or A.A. Degree plus four years of directly related experience preferred
• Five to seven years of direct foodservice operational management experience with inventory and purchasing knowledge and control
• Strong knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
• Previous P&L accountability or contract-managed service experience is desirable
• Strong supervisory, leadership, management and coaching skills
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to communicate on various levels to include management, client, customer and associate levels
• Excellent financial, budgetary, accounting and computational skills
• Proficient computer skills to include; various computer programs, Microsoft Office programs, e-mail and the Internet
• ServSafe® Certified