Food Operations Manager 3
Company : Sodexo
Location : Cincinnati, OH, 45202
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 12 January 2026
Role Overview
Sodexo is seeking a highly accomplished Food Operations Manager to oversee front-of-house food service operations for a large, fast-paced Corporate Services account in Cincinnati, Ohio. This dynamic, high-profile role requires a leader with the presence, expertise, and confidence to manage multiple cafés, extensive catering services, retail and coffee outlets, and a skilled front-of-house team. You will drive exceptional guest experience through flawless daily service execution, strong client partnership, and strategic planning. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in front-of-house food service leadership, including high-end, large-volume catering; a proven ability to motivate, develop, and manage diverse teams; and a track record of building strong client relationships. Exceptional communication skills, operational acumen, and the ability to elevate service standards in a complex, high-demand environment are critical to success in this role.
Corporate Services
Sodexo provides our corporate service partners with a diverse range of food services and integrated facilities management possibilities. From restaurants to delivery options, to streamlined operations and cutting-edge technology, Sodexo creates a safe, vibrant, and eco-friendly workplace.
What You'll Do
- Provide strong front-of-house leadership, ensuring operational excellence and consistent service standards across all units.
Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, vendors, and internal teams, ensuring clear communication and seamless coordination.
Train, mentor, and develop a diverse team, promoting professional growth and sustaining a high-performance culture.
Oversee high-end, large-volume catering operations with an emphasis on exceptional quality, presentation, and guest satisfaction.
Champion a customer-centric service culture that drives engagement, elevates the guest experience, and supports organizational goals.
Build and maintain strong client partnerships with executive presence, leveraging food service systems and tools to streamline and enhance operations.
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
- A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience, with a proven track record of strong leadership and management of large-scale operations
Excellent leadership and administrative abilities, including hiring, training, and developing high-performing teams
A commitment to building and maintaining strong client and customer relationships through exceptional service
Hands-on food service and catering experience and thorough knowledge of safety and sanitation standards
The ability to manage multiple priorities, communicate professionally, and deliver outstanding customer service with passion
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.
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Frequently asked questions
Thriving as a Food Operations Manager 3 in Cincinnati demands strong multitasking skills, team motivation ability, and a strategic mindset to balance multiple cafés and catering events. Exceptional communication and client relationship building also play crucial roles in managing complex front-of-house operations effectively.
Unlike standard restaurant managers, Food Operations 3 oversees diverse food service formats including retail outlets, coffee bars, and large-scale catering. This position requires orchestrating multiple teams and client partnerships simultaneously, emphasizing operational excellence across varied service channels rather than focusing on a single restaurant unit.
After mastering Food Operations Manager 3 duties, professionals often advance to senior leadership roles like Regional Food Services Director or Corporate Food Program Manager. The role's breadth in managing large teams and strategic planning paves the way toward executive-level opportunities in food and hospitality sectors.
In Cincinnati, certifications like ServSafe Manager or HACCP training enhance a candidate’s credibility for food operations roles. Local employers value demonstrated knowledge of safety and sanitation standards, which aligns with city health department regulations and improves hiring prospects in competitive markets.
Cincinnati’s growing corporate dining sector has increased demand for seasoned food operations managers, but competition remains moderate. Candidates with multi-unit leadership experience and strong client relations skills, especially within integrated service providers like Sodexo, tend to stand out in local recruitment.
Sodexo’s Food Operations Manager 3 role involves coordinating across a wide variety of service types, from cafés to catering, demanding adaptability and superior organizational skills. The company’s emphasis on eco-friendly and tech-enabled service platforms adds complexity and opportunity for innovation uncommon in traditional food service firms.
Sodexo’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and community impact shapes a Food Operations Manager 3’s approach by fostering collaborative leadership and client-focused service. Managers are expected to champion these values while driving operational efficiency and enhancing guest experiences in a fast-paced corporate environment.
Salaries for Food Operations Manager 3 roles in Cincinnati typically range from $65,000 to $85,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and leadership skills. Candidates with extensive large-volume catering and multi-unit management backgrounds often negotiate toward the higher end of this spectrum.
A Food Operations Manager 3 orchestrates multiple food outlets and catering services with strategic oversight, whereas assistant managers focus on supporting daily operations within a single unit. The senior role demands greater client interaction, team development, and operational decision-making across diverse service environments.
Key skills include advanced leadership, multitasking, and exceptional communication to synchronize teams across cafés, catering, and retail outlets. Proficiency in food safety compliance, client management, and operational technology boosts efficiency and guest satisfaction in multi-site food service management.