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General Manager 5 - Food
Company : Sodexo
Location : Troy, NY, 12180
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 13 January 2026
Role Overview
Let your passion for people be the driver of your success at Sodexo. Through your leadership, your team will make a real impact every day.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE!
Sodexo’s Campus Segment is seeking an experienced General Manager 5 to lead the dining program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), a premier four-year private institution located in Troy, NY. RPI enrolls approximately 7,000 students, with 3,400 students on the meal plan and four dining halls across campus.
In this highly visible leadership role, you will oversee all aspects of the resident dining program, guiding a team that includes 4 Resident Dining Managers and 3 Culinarians, with strong support from onsite Finance, HR, and Marketing partners. The successful candidate will be a strategic, student-focused leader with demonstrated strength in financial management, employee development, operational innovation, and driving student satisfaction. This position reports directly to the Resident District Manager.
What You'll Do
Lead the overall strategy, operations, and performance of the resident dining program across four dining halls.
Oversee and mentor a leadership team of managers and culinarians, driving engagement, accountability, and professional development.
Ensure exceptional student satisfaction through high-quality food execution, customer service excellence, and innovative dining programming.
Manage financial performance, including food cost, labor cost, budgets, forecasting, and financial reporting.
Utilize Sodexo’s food management systems to oversee menu planning, recipe management, purchasing, production, and inventory control.
Maintain strong client partnerships and serve as the primary operational leader for campus stakeholders.
Promote a culture of safety, sanitation, and compliance across all dining operations.
Encourage creativity and operational enhancements to elevate the dining experience and support enrollment and retention goals.
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
Previous leadership experience in large-scale university dining or high-volume environments in Healthcare, Sports & Leisure, or Corporate dining.
Strong proficiency with online food management systems for menu planning, ordering, and inventory (e.g., Sodexo tools).
Proven financial acumen with a track record of success managing food and labor costs, budgets, and operational KPIs.
A “people-first” leadership style with the ability to build, motivate, and retain high-performing teams.
Strong client relationship skills with the ability to communicate effectively and deliver results.
Exceptional attention to detail in food quality, presentation, and customer service.
Ability to multi-task, stay organized, lead with innovation, and drive operational excellence.
Commitment to creating a welcoming, student-focused dining environment.
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 – 5 yearsMinimum Functional Experience – 5 years
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Frequently asked questions
Sodexo's food general managers in Troy focus on optimizing food and labor costs while maintaining high-quality dining experiences. They use advanced food management systems for precise menu planning and inventory control, ensuring budgets align with operational goals without compromising student satisfaction.
University campus food managers excel through strategic vision, strong team development, and student-centric innovation. They navigate complex operational environments involving multiple dining venues and diverse teams, emphasizing financial acuity alongside fostering inclusive, engaging dining atmospheres.
Advancement often leads to district or regional management roles overseeing multiple campuses, corporate leadership in food services, or specialized operational director positions. Building expertise in financial management, team leadership, and large-scale food program innovation is key to progression.
Sodexo fosters a people-first culture emphasizing respect, diversity, and inclusion. For a General Manager in Troy, this means leading with empathy, supporting staff growth, and collaborating closely with campus stakeholders to enhance the dining experience in a vibrant academic setting.
At RPI, Sodexo integrates student feedback to innovate dining programs, balancing nutritional offerings with operational efficiency. Their approach merges university community values with Sodexo’s global standards, emphasizing safety, sustainability, and educational engagement unique to Troy’s campus.
General Managers in food services at Troy typically earn between $80,000 and $110,000 annually, reflecting their leadership over multiple dining halls, financial oversight, and team development. Salaries vary with experience, education, and demonstrated success in operational innovation.
Locally, certifications like ServSafe Manager and hospitality management degrees are highly regarded. Experience with food safety compliance and financial management software, such as Sodexo’s proprietary tools, is also valuable to succeed in Troy’s competitive campus dining market.
Troy’s food service leadership positions see moderate competition due to the city’s academic institutions and hospitality sector. Candidates with demonstrated financial acumen, multi-site operational experience, and strong team leadership tend to stand out in this niche.
Managing diverse teams across four dining halls involves synchronizing operations, maintaining consistent food quality, and addressing real-time issues like staffing fluctuations or supply delays. Balancing innovation with compliance and student expectations requires dynamic problem-solving every day.
Unlike restaurant GMs, General Manager 5 - Food roles at universities manage large-scale, multi-venue programs with an emphasis on student satisfaction, academic calendar impacts, and integrated campus partnerships. Financial stewardship and employee development span broader operational scopes.