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Food Operations Manager 3
Company : Sodexo
Location : North Andover, MA, 01845
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 12 January 2026
Role Overview
Success is yours when you collaborate and work hard in our team-based culture.
Sodexo's Campus Segment is seeking a Food Operations Manager 3 to join our dining leadership team at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. This position is ideal for a hands-on, customer-service–driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced, university and hospitality environment.
The Food Operations Manager will oversee the daily operations of a comprehensive and dynamic dining program that includes resident dining, multiple retail locations, catering services, and concessions. This leader will play a key role in ensuring operational excellence, team development, and an exceptional student dining experience.
This role requires a visible, proactive manager who excels in service standards, training, client relations, financial management, safety, and human resources. The ideal candidate brings strong organizational skills, leadership experience in higher education or large-scale food service, and a passion for hospitality.
What You'll Do
Lead daily operations for resident dining, retail locations, and catering functions.
Ensure consistent adherence to Sodexo’s service standards, safety, and compliance programs.
Manage, coach, and develop a large, diverse team of managers and frontline employees (union environment).
Partner with the client to maintain positive relationships and address operational needs proactively.
Oversee purchasing, inventory control, and budget management to meet financial goals.
Drive customer satisfaction through service excellence, innovation, and attention to detail.
Uphold human resources standards, including hiring, onboarding, and performance development.
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
Progressive management experience in food service or hospitality (college/university experience strongly preferred).
Strong leadership skills with the ability to train, mentor, and motivate large teams.
Experience managing financials, budgets, and P&L performance.
Demonstrated success with retail dining operations, safety programs, and quality assurance.
Excellent client relationship and communication skills.
Union management experience a plus.
A passion for hospitality and commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience.
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 experience
Minimum Management Experience - 3 years
Minimum Functional Experience - 3 years work experience in food or culinary services including restaurants, fast food, vending, catering services, institutional services, mall food courts, etc.
Boston, MA
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Frequently asked questions
At Sodexo, the Food Operations Manager 3 position blends campus dining leadership with hospitality excellence, focusing on diverse venues like retail spots and catering. This role emphasizes union team management and partnership with clients, setting it apart from conventional food service manager roles in North Andover’s education sector.
Success demands proactive visibility, exceptional communication, and mentoring skills. Managing unionized teams in a fast-paced campus setting requires adaptability, strong organizational capabilities, and a passion for enhancing the student dining experience, all critical traits for this managerial level.
Professionals often transition into senior regional management or strategic roles in food service operations, leveraging experience in budget oversight and client relations. Opportunities in corporate food services or hospitality consulting also open up, benefiting from their campus-based operational expertise.
Sodexo prioritizes integrated solutions, combining food service with facilities and catering. Managers must navigate union environments, maintain client partnerships, and uphold Sodexo’s global service standards, which can be more complex than roles in single-focus food service firms.
Sodexo offers career advancement opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and comprehensive benefits tailored to education and experience levels. This support fosters continuous learning and skill enhancement, encouraging managers to grow within the company’s diverse operational landscape.
The typical annual salary spans $70,000 to $85,000, influenced by education, years in food service management, and leadership skills. Sodexo aligns pay with market standards in North Andover, rewarding those who demonstrate operational excellence and team leadership.
While a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is standard, certifications like ServSafe Manager or HACCP are highly regarded locally. Such credentials underscore commitment to food safety and regulatory compliance, enhancing a candidate’s appeal in North Andover’s competitive market.
North Andover’s suburban layout means most commutes are manageable by car, with relatively low traffic compared to metro areas. This accessibility allows managers to focus on dynamic campus operations without significant travel delays, positively affecting work-life balance.
Effective strategies include rigorous inventory control, innovative menu planning aligned with student preferences, and cross-functional team coaching. Emphasizing safety standards and client collaboration ensures smooth daily functions across multiple food venues.
Sodexo’s emphasis on inclusivity and respect fosters a supportive workplace where diverse ideas thrive. Managers are empowered to lead with fairness and creativity, aligning operational goals with the company’s mission to enhance quality of life for clients and employees alike.