General Manager (Restaurant)

Kansas State University

About This Role

The Restaurant General Manager oversees food service operations at Jardine Marketplace, including JP’s Sports Grill, JP’s Catering
Services, and Cornerstone Cafe, serving the K-State campus and local community. This position leads a guest-first service culture while
offering a strong work/life balance, with primarily weekday daytime hours and extended time off during academic breaks and holidays. The
position reports to the Housing and Dining Services Director, Retail Operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Recruit, train,
  develop, and supervise a diverse team of service staff, cashiers, and cooks. Provide positive leadership that promotes teamwork, staff
  development, and a safe, supportive workplace.
• Maintain a strong hands-on presence to ensure exceptional guest service,
  cleanliness, and overall dining experience across venues and catered events.
• Oversee food and beverage menus, production
  efficiency, and product sourcing to support quality and consistency.
• Manage financial performance, including food and labor costs,
  menu pricing, and catering/event costing, while maintaining fiscal compliance.
• Ensure staff training in culinary practices, food
  safety, sanitation, and safe work procedures.
• Collaborate with campus partners to support marketing efforts, venue growth, and
  positive relationships that strengthen brand reputation.

About Us

Housing and Dining Services is a large,
self-operated auxiliary department serving more than 5,000 students that call the K-State campus home. This “home away from home” meets more
than the basic needs of students living with us – we provide affordable, safe and engaging accommodations for our residents, while finding
unique ways to support them in their academic pursuits.
As part of the department’s commitment to students, the campus and local
community, Housing and Dining Services Retail Operations include Union
Station by JP’s, Fast Track (fast casual concept), JP’s catering services, JP’s Sports Grill, The Bakery at Derby, and numerous Cornerstone
cafes and Quik Cats Convenience Stores across campus.

The 2025 Princeton Review ranks us #2 Happiest Students, #2 Best
Quality of Life, #8 Best College Residence Halls, and #14 Best Campus Food. What a great team to be part of!

Kansas State
University has been recognized as one of the best places to work, earning the No. 3 spot on Forbes’ list of best employers in
Kansas – the highest ranking of any college or university in the state. This marks the third time in 2025 that Forbes has honored
K-State for excellence as an employer. In July, the university was ranked No. 3 on Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for
Women, and earlier this year it was recognized as one of America’s Best Midsize Employers.
Worksite
Description

This position is On-site.

All employees must reside in the United States when they
begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of
Idaho.
What You’ll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a bachelor’s
  degree and three years of relevant experience.
• Valid driver’s license at time of appointment.
• Education beyond the minimum
  degree requirement may count toward required experience if deemed relevant by the hiring manager. The degree requirement ensures candidates
  possess advanced knowledge of nutrition principles, operational management and regulatory compliance, along with analytical and leadership
  skills essential for overseeing complex dining operations, ensuring food safety and aligning services with institutional standards and
  student well-being. These competencies are typically developed and rigorously validated only through the comprehensive curriculum and
  intensive experiential learning inherent in a formal degree program.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s
  degree in hospitality management or related culinary field.
• Five years of progressive professional leadership experience in the
  hospitality field.
• Management experience to include: management of a full service restaurant operation and supervision of staff to
  include assistant manager (or comparable) level.
• Catering management experience.
• Working in a University foodservice
  setting or other large volume operation (hotel or convention center, volume restaurant/catering operation) with demonstrated ability to
  coordinate food production, menu/recipe development and design.
• Comprehensive understanding of materials, equipment, methods,
  techniques, and terminology used in a full service/large scale food service operation(s).
• Experience using MICROS POS; menu
  management software, and proficiency in basic computer applications.
• Knowledge of cost controls including payroll, food, other
  cost; general financial management of food service operations.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations relating to the
  operation of a food service operation.

Additional Role Information:

• Must be 21 years of age
• ServSafe certification within 60 days of appointment
• Completion of TIPS alcohol training within 60 days of appointment
• Valid driver’s license at time of appointment
• Prefer certified trainer for TIPS alcohol training.
• Duties require the
  ability to actively perform all tasks associated with food production, tableside service, and event management work to include standing,
  bending, stooping, reaching, walking, lifting heavy and awkward items. All routine and specialty equipment used in food preparation.

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without
sponsorship.
How to Apply

In addition to the online application, please submit the following documents as
one PDF:

• Cover letter addressing qualifications and interest
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three
  professional references

Application Window

Applications close on: April 3,
2026
Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$60,000-$67,000 annual

To apply, please visit: https://careers.k-state.edu/jobs/general-manager-restaurant-manhattan-kansas-united-states

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