General Manager / Chef Manager

You want high visibility, meaningful impact, and a rewarding environment—and this role offers all of it in one of the most unique coastal academic settings in the country.

Sodexo’s Campus Segment is seeking a General Manager / Chef Manager at the Darling Marine Center, a unique coastal campus located on the ocean in beautiful Walpole, Maine. This is an exceptional opportunity for a hands-on leader who wants to own their business and make a meaningful impact in a close-knit academic community.

The Darling Marine Center, operated by the University of Maine, is a world-renowned coastal research facility hosting year-round researchers, faculty, staff, visiting scholars, and seasonal academic programs. Dining services play a central role in the guest experience, offering high-quality, scratch-made meals in a warm, community-focused environment.

This is a boutique, hospitality-driven operation emphasizing culinary excellence and client engagement over high-volume production. As the General Manager / Chef Manager, you will oversee the full dining program—including culinary execution, daily operations, catering, client relations, and financial performance—all while leading from the front as a working manager.

• Lead day-to-day dining operations with a hands-on, working manager approach
• Prepare and execute high-quality, scratch-made meals for residential dining and catered events
• Develop seasonal and customized menus featuring local Maine products and ingredients
• Build strong relationships with university leadership, researchers, and program coordinators
• Deliver elevated hospitality in a close-knit, community-focused environment
• Manage financial performance including budgeting, forecasting, and cost controls
• Lead, train, and support a small, cross-functional team
• Ensure compliance with Sodexo standards, food safety, and sanitation protocols
• Plan and execute off-season initiatives to prepare for peak operations

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.

• Strong culinary background with hands-on production and scratch cooking experience
• Proven leadership and supervisory experience in a food service or hospitality setting
• Self-driven, dependable, and comfortable operating independently in a small-team environment
• Strong hospitality mindset with excellent client and guest interaction skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to seasonal business fluctuations
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and operational best practices
• Strong communication, organization, and financial acumen
• Experience with Sodexo systems (FMS, Market Connections) and reporting tools is a plus

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.

Minimum Education Requirement - Associate's Degree or equivalent experience
Minimum Management Experience - 2 years         
Minimum Functional Experience  - 2 years