Chartwells School Dining Services K12
DIRECTOR DINING SERVICES - DaVinci Charter / Wiseburn Unified Schools, Hawthorne
Chartwells School Dining Services K12, Hawthorne, California, United States, 90250
Director of Dining Services – Da Vinci Charter / Wiseburn Unified Schools, Hawthorne, CA
Chartwells K12
Salary:
$85,000-$95,000
Other Forms of Compensation:
20% Annual Bonus Incentive
Chartwells K12’s goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent. For more information, visit
www.ChartwellsK12.com .
Job Summary:
Chartwells K12 is seeking a passionate and experienced Director of Dining Services to lead food service operations for Wiseburn Unified School District and Da Vinci Charter Schools in Hawthorne, California. This role supports approximately 4,700 students across 11 schools, with a combined managed volume of $2.7 million. It’s a unique opportunity to shape the dining experience in a vibrant, innovative educational community that values student engagement and wellness.
In this role, you’ll partner with an Executive Chef to lead a team of up to 19 frontline associates, ensuring smooth operations, high-quality service, and a positive team culture. You’ll bring to life engaging programs like Global Eats, Student Choice, Discovery Kitchen, and Mood Boost, while also supporting district-wide catering initiatives. We’re looking for a hands‑on leader with strong operational and financial acumen, who can coach and develop teams, build trust with school partners, and drive results through innovation and accountability.
The ideal candidate will have a solid background in K‑12 food service leadership, a passion for culinary excellence, and a desire to make a lasting impact on how students experience food at school. Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and professionalism are key, along with a deep understanding of compliance, budgeting, and student-centered programming.
Key Responsibilities
Manage hourly associates in the Food Service Department.
Oversee overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the account.
Interview, hire, and train associates; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline associates; address complaints and resolve problems.
Prepare and manage annual budget.
Utilize company systems for completion of required daily/weekly/monthly reports such as inventory, cash reports, production records, payroll/time‑keeping, etc.
Oversee and participate in the preparation and service of food and beverage items in adherence to company food standards for preparation, presentation, sanitation and safety (meeting HACCP and OSHA guidelines) and portion control.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Food Services Hospitality/Culinary/Nutrition.
5+ years of direct foodservice operational management experience with inventory and purchasing knowledge and control.
Strong knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation.
Previous P&L accountability or contract‑managed service experience is desirable.
Strong supervisory, leadership, management and coaching skills.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to communicate on various levels to include management, client, customer and associate levels.
Excellent financial, budgetary, accounting and computational skills.
Proficient computer skills to include various computer programs, Microsoft Office programs, e‑mail and the Internet.
ServSafe® Certified.
Benefits
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance/ AD
Disability Insurance
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off
Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
Associate Shopping Program
Health and Wellness Programs
Discount Marketplace
Identity Theft Protection
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Paid Parental Leave
Personal Leave
Chartwells K12 maintains a drug‑free workplace.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Req ID: 1477866
Compass Group Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.
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Salary:
$85,000-$95,000
Other Forms of Compensation:
20% Annual Bonus Incentive
Chartwells K12’s goal is to make sure students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than they came in, by serving food kids love to eat and creating custom dining programs. With more than 16,000 associates in 4,500 schools, ranging from large public institutions to small charter and private schools, Chartwells K12 is built on decades of food, education and operational experience driven by top culinary, nutrition, wellness, and sustainability talent. For more information, visit
www.ChartwellsK12.com .
Job Summary:
Chartwells K12 is seeking a passionate and experienced Director of Dining Services to lead food service operations for Wiseburn Unified School District and Da Vinci Charter Schools in Hawthorne, California. This role supports approximately 4,700 students across 11 schools, with a combined managed volume of $2.7 million. It’s a unique opportunity to shape the dining experience in a vibrant, innovative educational community that values student engagement and wellness.
In this role, you’ll partner with an Executive Chef to lead a team of up to 19 frontline associates, ensuring smooth operations, high-quality service, and a positive team culture. You’ll bring to life engaging programs like Global Eats, Student Choice, Discovery Kitchen, and Mood Boost, while also supporting district-wide catering initiatives. We’re looking for a hands‑on leader with strong operational and financial acumen, who can coach and develop teams, build trust with school partners, and drive results through innovation and accountability.
The ideal candidate will have a solid background in K‑12 food service leadership, a passion for culinary excellence, and a desire to make a lasting impact on how students experience food at school. Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and professionalism are key, along with a deep understanding of compliance, budgeting, and student-centered programming.
Key Responsibilities
Manage hourly associates in the Food Service Department.
Oversee overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the account.
Interview, hire, and train associates; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline associates; address complaints and resolve problems.
Prepare and manage annual budget.
Utilize company systems for completion of required daily/weekly/monthly reports such as inventory, cash reports, production records, payroll/time‑keeping, etc.
Oversee and participate in the preparation and service of food and beverage items in adherence to company food standards for preparation, presentation, sanitation and safety (meeting HACCP and OSHA guidelines) and portion control.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Food Services Hospitality/Culinary/Nutrition.
5+ years of direct foodservice operational management experience with inventory and purchasing knowledge and control.
Strong knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation.
Previous P&L accountability or contract‑managed service experience is desirable.
Strong supervisory, leadership, management and coaching skills.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
Ability to communicate on various levels to include management, client, customer and associate levels.
Excellent financial, budgetary, accounting and computational skills.
Proficient computer skills to include various computer programs, Microsoft Office programs, e‑mail and the Internet.
ServSafe® Certified.
Benefits
Medical
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance/ AD
Disability Insurance
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off
Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
Associate Shopping Program
Health and Wellness Programs
Discount Marketplace
Identity Theft Protection
Pet Insurance
Commuter Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
Paid Parental Leave
Personal Leave
Chartwells K12 maintains a drug‑free workplace.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Req ID: 1477866
Compass Group Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:
Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.
Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.
#J-18808-Ljbffr