Iowa State University Dining is seeking an Assistant Manager to supervise and support food service operations. You’ll manage daily tasks, ensure food safety, and oversee production while also working alongside your team and jumping in as needed. This hands-on role includes supervising staff, ordering supplies, maintaining inventory, and ensuring quality control in food production and service.
You’ll assist with scheduling, training, and closing operations, helping ensure smooth transitions between meal periods. If you have prior kitchen experience, you’ll quickly learn the tasks your team performs and be ready to jump in when needed, as well as train others on these procedures.
Days and hours are based on operational needs; nights and weekends are required. Schedules are reevaluated each semester.
What You’ll Do
Supervise daily food service operations to support quality, safety, and efficiency
Work alongside staff during production and service, stepping in as needed
Support scheduling, training, and closing activities to keep operations running smoothly
Oversee inventory and ordering to support consistent service and production
Communicate with the team to ensure smooth transitions between meal periods
What You’ll Get
Insurance benefits beginning on your first day, with timely enrollment
Competitive retirement options with substantial university contributions
Paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay
Tuition reimbursement available after one year of employment
A collaborative, service-oriented workplace dedicated to supporting students
Iowa State University Dining plays an important role in campus life, serving thousands of students, faculty, staff, and guests each day. The team focuses on quality food, strong service, and a supportive work environment where employees are encouraged to contribute and grow.
Example of Duties
Supervises service delivery, training, safety, sanitation, facilities maintenance, marketing, and cash handling in order to meet departmental goals.
Assists with the development of operational pricing and budgets to meet sales, budgetary, and financial targets.
Supervises and participates in food production, including forecasting food ordering, food preparation, and food sanitation.
Authorizes purchases and monitors inventory control procedures.
Assists in the planning and execution of dining programs and participates in short and long-term strategic planning.
Assists in creating and updating policies and procedures used by the department in order to assure compliance with university policies and State and Federal laws.
Evaluates product offerings and selection to keep current with the popularity of items offered for sale.
Markets the department and acts as the liaison for the department with various units, committees or task forces.
Establishes and demonstrates a positive working relationship with vendors to develop product ordering, delivery, and stocking schedules.
Researches, facilitates, and develops trainings and orientations for new staff.
Level Guidelines
Aware of key annual objectives of department or work unit
Understands linkage between daily activities and achievement of annual objectives of department/work unit and explains to direct reports
Focus on ISU’s mission and meeting department or work unit goals
Supervises a small department or work team
Often is a working supervisor with direct, previous experience performing work of those supervised
Has full management responsibility for direct reports, specifically the authority to hire, fire, and counsel; may share part of responsibility with higher level management
Requests approval for financial actions beyond a limited scope per policy
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
Resume
Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
Life insurance and long-term disability
Flexible Spending Accounts
Various voluntary benefits and discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellbeing program