Van Zile Operations Manager

Van Zile Dining Services is seeking a dynamic Foodservice Operations Manager to lead a fast-paced, customer-focused dining operation. This role is ideal for candidates with experience in high-volume, mobile ordering foodservice environments. The manager will work collaboratively with the Housing and Dining Services (H&DS) team to serve students living in Kansas State University residence halls and apartments.

Key Responsibilities
* Operational Leadership: Oversee daily restaurant operations with a focus on speed, accuracy, and quality.
* Digital Order Fulfillment: Manage workflows for mobile app orders, ensuring timely and accurate service.
* Team Management: Recruit, train, and lead both student and University Support Staff to deliver exceptional customer service.
* Customer Experience: Ensure consistent, friendly, and efficient service across all customer touchpoints.
* Inventory & Cost Control: Monitor food and supply inventory; requisition items from H&DS Central Food Stores, Derby Dining Center, and external vendors; set and track goals for meal cost and meals per labor hour.
* Menu Development: Collaborate with recipe development/menu management personnel and the Associate Director to design menus that meet customer expectations, align with Van Zile's equipment and staffing capabilities, and stay within food and labor cost parameters.
* Compliance & Safety: Maintain health, safety, and sanitation standards in accordance with local regulations and departmental policies.
* Performance Metrics: Track and assess order accuracy, ticket times, labor efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Housing and Dining Services is a large, self-operated auxiliary department serving more than 5,000 students that call the K-State campus home. This "home away from home" meets more than the basic needs of students living with us - we provide affordable, safe and engaging accommodations and services for our residents, while finding unique ways to support them in their academic pursuits.
We pride ourselves on taking excellent care of our residents, and that is reflected in our recent Princeton Review rankings. The 2025 Princeton Review ranks us #2 Happiest Students, #2 Best Quality of Life, #8 Best College Residence Halls, and #14 Best Campus Food.
YOU can help make our residents and guests feel welcome and comfortable!

This position is On-site. The duties of this position will be performed on-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience. This position may use an educational equivalency as determined relevant by a hiring manager.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management degree
• 3 years of foodservice management experience in a fast-casual or quick-service restaurant setting
• Experience with POS systems and app based mobile ordering platforms
• Familiarity with kitchen display systems and real-time order tracking
• Ability to analyze revenue and expense data and customer feedback to drive service improvements and meet performance goals.
• Demonstrated success managing operations with mobile/app ordering
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
  
  

Additional Role Information:

• Food Safety Certification upon hire
• Ability to work variable hours, including evenings and week-ends

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.

Please submit the following documents:

• Letter of interest outlining qualifications for this position; resume; and contact information for three professional references.

Applications close on: December 16, 2025

$65,000-$68,000 annual