What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Manager for Thorne Dining Hall position at Bowdoin College?
Posting Details
Title
Operations Manager for Thorne Dining Hall
Posting Number
S01406JP
Department
Dining Services Administration
Job Summary
Bowdoin College, located in the picturesque town of Brunswick, Maine, is home to nearly 2,000 students. Known for our commitment to exceptional dining, we consistently rank among the top 10 for college food nationwide. At Bowdoin, we pride ourselves on crafting meals from scratch, using the freshest ingredients sourced from our very own butcher shop, bakeshop, and organic garden. These on-campus resources supply our two dining halls and three retail locations, ensuring that every meal is both delicious and sustainable.
We are seeking an Operations Manager to lead our Thorne Dining Hall.
The Operations Manager, in collaboration with the Culinary Manager, plays a key role in planning, developing, organizing, and overseeing all activities at Thorne Dining Hall to create a dynamic, high-quality dining experience for the Bowdoin community. This position ensures the delivery of exceptional culinary offerings and outstanding customer service, enhancing the overall Bowdoin educational experience. With a focus on operational excellence, the Operations Manager leads a team of staff and oversee daily operations, while also managing budgets, staff hiring and development, and special events. The role will work closely with the Culinary Manager, Service Supervisors, and Registered Dietitian to ensure menu signage is informative, accurate, and reflective of the dining program’s high standards. Key responsibilities include:
We are seeking an Operations Manager to lead our Thorne Dining Hall.
The Operations Manager, in collaboration with the Culinary Manager, plays a key role in planning, developing, organizing, and overseeing all activities at Thorne Dining Hall to create a dynamic, high-quality dining experience for the Bowdoin community. This position ensures the delivery of exceptional culinary offerings and outstanding customer service, enhancing the overall Bowdoin educational experience. With a focus on operational excellence, the Operations Manager leads a team of staff and oversee daily operations, while also managing budgets, staff hiring and development, and special events. The role will work closely with the Culinary Manager, Service Supervisors, and Registered Dietitian to ensure menu signage is informative, accurate, and reflective of the dining program’s high standards. Key responsibilities include:
- Operational Leadership: Supervise and maintain daily operations of Thorne Dining Hall, ensuring the highest level of performance and service. Be highly visible during meal services to provide guidance and support to staff, ensuring smooth operations and excellent customer satisfaction.
- Team Management: In partnership with the Culinary Manager, oversee the recruitment, hiring, and performance management of dining hall personnel, including student labor, casual staff, and front-of-house teams. Ensure training is effective, schedules are clearly communicated, and staff members are motivated and supported. Oversee uniform management, ensuring staff look professional and that the uniform program is well-maintained.
- Event Planning & Coordination: Assist in planning and executing large-scale campus events such as Commencement and Reunion, overseeing staff operations to ensure these events run smoothly and meet the dining program’s high standards.
- Financial Oversight & Budgeting: Manage operational costs by reviewing financial documentation such as invoices, food orders, and payroll. Analyze weekly and monthly financial statements to ensure budgetary control and assist in preparing financial reports. Oversee the capital budget for equipment and maintenance in the dining hall.
- Menu Planning & Innovation: Collaborate with the Culinary Manager to provide input on menu planning, integrating student preferences, healthy nutrition goals, and current dining trends to ensure menus are fresh, engaging, and aligned with the needs of the Bowdoin community.
- Facility Management: Develop and implement department goals to ensure dining services are marketed and represented effectively through signage, décor, and staff/customer interactions. Partner with the Culinary Manager to ensure proper maintenance of equipment.
- Data Collection & Reporting: Utilize systems such as CBORD to collect data related to food, labor, and meal costs, preparing accurate reports that support decision-making and financial transparency.
By leading with vision and collaboration, the Operations Manager ensures a seamless, high-performing dining program that reflects Bowdoin’s commitment to sustainability, quality, and student satisfaction.
Pay , Benefits, and Perks:
- The targeted hiring range for this position is expected to be $74,200 – $80,800.
- A variety of health insurance plans
- Generous Retirement Plan – 10.12% annual compensation contribution
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Paid time off – Vacation, Personal, Holidays, and Special Days Off (https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/our-workplace/college-holidays-and-special-days-off.html).
- Paid parental leave
- Access to many of the College’s facilities including the gym and pool, including household
- Access to events, speakers, and sport events on campus
- Free fitness and wellness classes!
- And more: https://www.bowdoin.edu/hr/benefits-perks/index.html
Education/Skills Requirements
- Associate’s or vocational/technical degree required; bachelor’s degree preferred
- ServSafe Manager Certification required
- Allergen Certificationpreferred
- A valid driver’s license and the ability to meet the eligibility requirements of the College’s current Motor Vehicle Use Policy.
- Operational Skills: Thorough knowledge of food service principles, staffing, equipment utilization, and cost control management.
- Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear and concise reports, emails, and correspondence.
- Interpersonal Skills: Ability to interact positively with all constituencies, as well as building and maintaining relationships with alumni, donors, staff, and other stakeholders. Ability to work collaboratively within a team, contributing positively to team operations and the working environment
- Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to identify issues, generate solutions, and make sound, informed decisions.
- Detail-Oriented: High level of attention to detail to ensure accuracy in records, correspondence, and documents.
- Discretion: Ability to handle sensitive information with integrity and confidentiality.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Experience Requirements and/or Equivalents
- At least 4 years of relevant experience pertaining to the food service industry
- At least 4 years of supervisory experience handling performance, staffing, and operations of department
- Prior experience with planning, execution, and evaluation of large scale catering eventshighly preferred
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications in this posting to be considered for hire.
Standard Work Days and Hours
- This is a full-time, onsite position requiring 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year (1.0 FTE), with a variety of shifts to ensure presence across all aspects of Thorne Dining Hall operations. This position also requires working major college events, including commencement, reunions, homecoming, and family weekend.
- During the academic year, this position primarily works a schedule of Tuesday – Saturday.
- As needed, this position coordinates with the Culinary Manager at Thorne to provide coverage for catering and board meals.
- Classified as essential personnel, this position is expected to report to work during college-declared weather emergencies or other critical situations
Employment at Bowdoin College is contingent upon satisfactory completion of applicable background checks including but not limited to: criminal records, educational verifications, driving records (when job-related), and/or credit history (when job related).
We regret that Bowdoin College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for staff positions.
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About Bowdoin
Bowdoin embraces diversity in all forms, and the College is home to talented students, faculty and staff—with a variety of racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; religious beliefs; and gender identities, among other factors.
We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.
Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.
Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.
We encourage applications from candidates committed to the support of an inclusive campus community and those who will enrich and contribute to the College’s multifaceted diversity. We value a community in which individuals of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to succeed.
Founded in 1794, Bowdoin has maintained its commitment to the liberal arts for well over 200 years. Bowdoin’s reputation as a preeminent liberal arts college rests on the excellence of its faculty, students, and staff; intimate size; strong sense of community; and connections to the people, history, and natural beauty of Maine.
Bowdoin’s campus is situated in a beautiful natural setting. Located in Brunswick, Maine, a town of approximately 20,000, the College is a short drive from the Maine coast, twenty-five miles from Portland and 120 miles from Boston.
Shift
Employment Category
Full Time Year Round
FTE
1.00
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Pay Type
Salaried
Background Check Package Requirements
Administrative Staff MVR
Is driving a vehicle (e.g. Bowdoin vehicle or off road vehicle, rental car, personal car) an essential function of this job?
Yes
Is a pre-placement physical required for this position?
No
Posting Date
04/18/2025
Applications Accepted Until
Open Until Filled
No
Type of Posting
Internal/External
Special Instructions to Applicants
Ifselected as a finalist, you will be required to submit information for three references, including name, email address, phone number and how you know the reference.
EEO Information
Bowdoin College complies with applicable provisions of federal and state laws that prohibit unlawful discrimination in employment, admission, or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry and national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, place of birth, genetic predisposition, veteran status, or against qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities on the basis of disability, or any other legally protected statuses.
Salary : $74,200 - $80,800
