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Assistant Director of Catering and Engagement - Pendergast Elementary Schools, Phoenix, AZ

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. For more information, visit www.ChartwellsK12.com.

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Catering and Engagement for our long‑tenured partnership with Pendergast Elementary School District (PESD92) is a highly interactive, student‑focused culinary role supporting Discovery Kitchen programming, food‑literacy activities, and on‑site events across 12 schools serving 8,000 students. Working closely with the Executive Chef and management team, this hands‑on position leads cooking demonstrations, interactive classes, and student engagement experiences—often in a chef jacket—designed to inspire healthy eating and generate excitement around food.

Roughly 75% of the role centers on student and community engagement, with the remaining 25% supporting catering operations, including scheduling and event assistance. Ideal candidates may come from culinary instruction, Sous Chef roles, catering environments, or strong kitchen‑based backgrounds with a passion for working with students. The schedule is primarily Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., but occasional evenings or weekends may be required for special events, so some flexibility is important.

This is a great opportunity to make a direct impact on student nutrition while gaining valuable exposure to K–12 dining operations and building toward future growth into a Director of Dining Services role.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Works with the management team creating nutritious and top quality food. 
  • Ability to be highly engaged with staff, students and clients.
  • Implements new culinary programs in conjunction with the marketing and culinary teams. 
  • Maintains excellent relationships with the client. 
  • Trains, and assists to develop associates. 
  • Performs other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications: 

  • 2+ years of food service management experience.
  • Experience in restaurants, hotels, corporate dining, education, military, health care, and/or related food service operations.
  • Catertrax experience, helpful, not mandatory
  • Strong communication skills. 
  • Proficient computer skills and knowledge of MS Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and internet.
  • Associate’s degree is preferred. 

Apply to Chartwells Schools today!

Chartwells Schools is a member of Compass Group USA

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. 

Chartwells K-12 maintains a drug-free workplace.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Associates at Chartwells K-12 are offered many fantastic benefits.

  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Life Insurance/ AD
  • Disability Insurance
  • Retirement Plan
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
  • 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

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 or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_ChartwellsK12.pdf

Req ID:  1499458

Chartwells K12 

KRISTEN STROHMYER

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