General Manager 3 - Food
Company : Sodexo
Location : Columbus, OH, 43035
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 12 January 2026
Role Overview
General Manager 3 – Culinary Leadership in the Heart of Lima
Location: Lima, OH
Where Culinary Passion Meets Operational Excellence
Ready to take your culinary leadership to a place where your impact goes beyond the kitchen? We’re looking for a dynamic General Manager with strong culinary roots to lead a thriving food service operation in Lima, OH—a welcoming community charm, lower cost of living, and a slower pace of life that lets you focus on what you love: great food and great people.
This is more than just a job—it's an opportunity to shape a dining experience that brings comfort, quality, and innovation to every plate. Whether you're a chef-turned-leader or an experienced food service professional with a passion for team development, this role gives you the space and autonomy to make a real difference.
Incentives
This is temporary in nature and could last up to 6-12 months.What You'll Do
Lead day-to-day operations across front and back of house, including full-service dining
Ensure top-tier food quality, safety, and presentation through daily kitchen inspections
Drive consistency and excellence across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night service
Innovate and implement systems to streamline operations and boost team performance
Ensure compliance with HACCP protocols and all food safety regulations
Manage scheduling, staffing, and payroll for a 7-day service operation
- Deliver operational reports and insights to clients and internal stakeholders
Build a strong team culture with coaching, training, and engagement
Develop and maintain strong client and customer relationships built on trust and satisfaction
What We Offer
Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:
- Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
- 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
- Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
- Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement
More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.
What You Bring
Proven experience in culinary leadership orfood service operations
A hands-on, culinary-driven approach with a love for exceptional food
Strong working knowledge of kitchen systems, food safety, and quality control
Ability to inspire and lead diverse teams toward shared goals
A customer-first mindset with a passion for service excellence
Experience in client communications, employee development, and managing multiple service lines
Who We Are
At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike. We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.
Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy at work. This is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.
Qualifications & Requirements
Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experienceMinimum Management Experience - 3 yearsMinimum Functional Experience - 3 years
Related Jobs
Top trending job titles hiring now
Popular Searches for General Manager 3 - Food
Frequently asked questions
Columbus, OH, has a growing hospitality sector, making food service management jobs like General Manager 3 - Food moderately competitive. Employers seek candidates with robust culinary leadership and operational experience, so showcasing a blend of kitchen expertise and team management skills can boost your chances significantly.
In Columbus, employers often favor candidates with HACCP certification or ServSafe credentials for General Manager food roles. These credentials demonstrate a solid understanding of food safety standards crucial for managing compliance in busy food service operations.
A General 3 - Food manager typically combines culinary expertise with strategic leadership, handling both kitchen quality control and front-of-house operations. This role demands strong scheduling, payroll oversight, and client engagement skills, setting it apart from purely operational or assistant management positions.
Moving up from a General Manager 3 role often leads to regional management or director-level positions overseeing multiple sites. Gaining experience in team development, financial reporting, and client relationship management opens doors to broader operational leadership within food service companies.
Handling diverse meal services, maintaining consistent food quality, navigating staffing logistics, and ensuring rigorous safety compliance are daily hurdles. Balancing front and back of house dynamics while fostering a motivated team requires strong multitasking and problem-solving abilities.
Sodexo emphasizes inclusivity, respect, and community impact, encouraging General Managers to cultivate diverse, engaged teams and deliver exceptional dining experiences. This environment supports innovation, employee growth, and client satisfaction aligned with Sodexo’s mission to enhance quality of life.
At Sodexo, culinary-driven General Managers benefit from autonomy in menu innovation, career advancement support including tuition reimbursement, and comprehensive benefits like healthcare and 401(k) matching, all fostering a balanced and growth-oriented work environment.
In Columbus, a General Manager 3 - Food typically earns between $65,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience and education. This aligns with local market standards for mid-level food service leadership roles, complemented by benefits such as health plans and retirement contributions.
This position involves orchestrating all meal services from breakfast to late-night, ensuring food safety, managing staff schedules, conducting kitchen inspections, and maintaining client relationships. The role requires balancing operational efficiency with team coaching and customer satisfaction.
Sodexo’s General Manager 3 role uniquely blends culinary passion with operational leadership, offering a temporary yet impactful position focused on innovation and community engagement. The company’s emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being enriches the managerial experience beyond standard duties.