Food Operations Manager 3
Company : Sodexo
Location : Chattanooga, TN, 37421
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 12 January 2026
Role Overview
Sodexo Senior Living is seeking a Food Operations Manager 3 to join our food service team at Standifer Place, a 400-resident senior living community located on a beautiful 40-acre campus in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Standifer Place offers all levels of care, including skilled care, independent living, assisted living and adult day care all on one campus. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership and communication skills and be a champion for their staff. Typical schedule is 8:30 am - 5:30 pm with some weekend coverage.
What You'll Do
- have oversight of daily food production (trayline service)
- successfully coordinate all required tasks through supervisors and frontline staff
- deliver high quality food services
- ensure HACCP, regulatory and standards compliance
- have daily interaction with residents, their families and clinical team to ensure resident satisfaction
- create a positive environment
- develop and maintain client and customer relationships
- ensure Sodexo standards are met.
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
- have a work history demonstrating strong employee engagement leadership skills, as well as previous supervisory experience and the ability to work collaboratively
- have food production experience and a strong background in safety and sanitation compliance
- can manage multiple priorities, demonstrate professional communication skills, and a passion for a high level of customer service
- are enthusiastic and confident
- ability to drive employee success to enhance the value of the food and nutrition team
- prioritize tasks and exhibit flexibility to take on additional responsibilities as needed
- demonstrate working knowledge of computer skills and report management.
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.
Related Jobs
Top trending job titles hiring now
Popular Searches for Food Operations Manager 3
Frequently asked questions
Managing food services at Standifer Place involves daily interaction with residents and clinical teams, ensuring meals meet dietary needs and preferences. This hands-on approach enhances resident satisfaction by aligning food quality and service with personalized care in a senior living environment.
Strong communication, employee engagement, and supervisory skills are critical. The role demands coordinating multiple teams while fostering a positive workplace culture, which drives staff performance and maintains high food service standards in complex care settings.
Professionals often advance into regional management or director roles by demonstrating operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and team leadership. Developing expertise in food safety and client relationship management also opens pathways to broader hospitality or healthcare food service leadership.
Certifications like ServSafe Food Manager and HACCP training are highly valued locally due to strict health regulations. Additionally, familiarity with state-specific food safety laws enhances compliance and is often preferred by employers in Tennessee’s food service sector.
Chattanooga’s growing senior living sector increases demand for experienced food operations managers. Competition remains moderate, encouraging employers like Sodexo to seek candidates with strong supervisory backgrounds and food safety expertise, often offering comprehensive benefits to attract talent.
Sodexo emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and employee well-being alongside operational excellence. Managers are supported with career growth opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and a focus on creating a respectful, collaborative work environment unique to their food service culture.
The role prioritizes resident interaction and customized meal planning across care levels. Sodexo integrates clinical team collaboration and regulatory compliance to ensure food services contribute positively to residents’ health outcomes and overall living experience.
Salaries typically range from $55,000 to $70,000 annually, reflecting experience and education. Chattanooga’s cost of living and competitive benefits package offered by firms like Sodexo contribute to a fair compensation structure in the food service management field.
Yes, Sodexo provides comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) matching, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement. These perks support long-term career growth and employee wellness, enhancing job satisfaction in food operations roles.
Sodexo is committed to environmental progress, encouraging managers to implement sustainable food sourcing and waste reduction strategies. This aligns with corporate values of social responsibility while maintaining high-quality food production standards.