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AREA DIRECTOR - FOOD SERVICES - Duval County Public Schools (DCPS), Jacksonville

Chartwells School Dining Services K12, Jacksonville, FL, United States


Chartwells K12

Salary:

$115,000-$125,000

Other Forms of Compensation:

Annual bonus incentive, 401K, PTO, Health Insurance & Vehicle

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

We’re seeking an exceptional

Area Director

with proven experience leading large‑volume, multi‑site operations. This is not just another regional role — it’s an opportunity to step into one of the

largest and most influential K‑12 dining programs in the nation , supporting Duval County Public Schools (DCPS). Reporting to the RDO and partnering closely with another Area Director, you’ll help lead strategic direction, operational excellence, and cultural alignment across

147 schools , impacting thousands of students every single day. This role is built for someone who thrives in complex, high‑energy environments and is ready to elevate systems, consistency, and performance at scale. The ideal candidate is people‑focused, operationally disciplined, and deeply skilled at guiding Directors of Dining Services while nurturing strong client relationships and best‑in‑class hospitality.

This is a

highly visible senior leadership position , offering rare exposure, significant responsibility, and remarkable room for upward mobility within Chartwells and Compass Group. You will mentor

six Directors of Dining Services , partner with culinary leaders, and influence a large unionized workforce — shaping not only the district’s success, but the future leaders within it. The ability to communicate clearly, drive accountability, and quickly align teams around priorities will be key to success. For a dynamic coach who loves developing talent, inspiring teams, and leading transformational work, this role can be a

career‑defining

opportunity. If you excel in multi‑unit operations and want to leave a lasting mark on a premier K‑12 program while positioning yourself for accelerated advancement, this is the role that will take you there.

Key Responsibilities

Monitors the overall financial performance of the accounts to ensure profitability

Ensures consistent and fair administration of personnel policies

Manages planning, budget analysis, and reporting for the region

Participates in the sales process to support growth of the region

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality, Nutrition, Business, or equivalent experience

Seven-plus years of large contract foodservice management experience

Strong leadership and communication skills

Solid financial acumen

Multi‑unit experience required

Demonstrated success overseeing $10M+ in annual managed volume

Experience managing a union workforce is helpful

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 K-12 maintains a drug‑free workplace.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Equal Opportunity Employer 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.

Chartwells K12

KRISTEN STROHMYER

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