Job Details

Overview

Proof of the Pudding is an award-winning catering company throughout the Southeast with a commitment to creating quality culinary concepts from scratch. This standard is upheld through expansion into Sports and Entertainment Hospitality Services by providing elevated concessions and premium offerings to collegiate stadiums, PGA golf tournaments, International Boat Shows, Professional Sports Teams, and more. We are seeking a Director of Operations to oversee the athletic food service at Mississippi State University located in Starkville, MS.

This position will be responsible for leading and overseeing day-to-day planning and event day execution of the premium hospitality department, the student athletic training table program, and athletics concessions operations. It will oversee events, staffing, hiring, inter-departmental communications, logistics/operations, and financial management. The ideal candidate has a strong background in high-volume food service leadership, is detailed in budget management, and has a passion for sports and entertainment event execution.

Mississippi State University is a large campus in the heart of Mississippi where the Bulldogs reign supreme. Football games bring in 65,000 fans while baseball games bring in 16,000 fans to cheer on their College World Series Champs.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing and effectively managing all day-to-day duties to ensure that each event is executed flawlessly from start to finish.
  • Football: includes 80 suites, 5,000 guests per game, plus 6 large clubs
  • Baseball: includes 25 suites, 1,500 guests per game, plus three large clubs
• Responsible for communication between Proof of the Pudding and the client. Serves as the first point of contact for all inquiries from the center and nourishes the relationship.
• Maintains a safe, secure, and healthy environment by establishing, following, and enforcing sanitation standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations; securing revenues; and maintaining security systems.
• Meets venue financial objectives by forecasting requirements; preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions.
• Communicating financial statements, P&L reports, and other requested documents to Proof of the Pudding corporate.
• Managing existing and developing leadership team, encouraging growth and mentorship with all managers and hourly staff.
• Organizing frequent meetings and open lines of communication with sales, operations, concessions, and culinary teams in preparation for each event.
• Setting the standard that all staff will follow including uniform expectations, customer service policies, buffet aesthetics, and a positive workplace culture.
• Leading capital projects and the team scheduled to run each event, developing employees to reach their full potential.
• Attending and executing each event to ensure it runs smoothly from set-up to break-down.
• Enhances department and organization reputation by accepting ownership for new and different requests and exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Hospitality, Management, or related field.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in Sports & Entertainment Operations, Food & Beverage, Operations Management – experience in high-volume management of multiple departments and clients.
• Must live near or be willing to relocate to Starkville, MS.

Specialized Qualifications

• Budgeting and/or financial focused mindset.
• Team development & leadership.
• Experience in new account development.
• Proven success in forming and enhancing client relationships.
• Professional and driven.

Core Values and Competency Requirements

• Business Acumen – Demonstrate comprehension of the job, including policies, practices, and relationships. Possess the expertise and skill levels required of the job and perform with quality.
• Dedication – Dependable, reliable and follows through on projects from inception to completion. Demonstrate a win-win attitude: “see it, own it, solve it.”
• Ethics and Integrity – Acts with integrity, honesty and knowledge that promote the company's culture, values and beliefs while maintaining high standards of professional conduct.
• Safety & Security – Observe safety and security standards. Use equipment and materials properly. Report potential unsafe conditions or practices immediately. Promote restaurant safety, cleanliness and security compliance at all times.
• Teamwork – Cooperate and be willing to work as a team player to achieve goals.
• Communication – Communicate clearly and respectfully with associates, managers, supervisors and guests.
• Initiative – Contribute new ideas and be proactive in troubleshooting.
• Adaptability & Planning – Learn new tasks and adapt to new situations; perform under tight schedules.
• Service Orientation – Demonstrates a sense of urgency and is welcoming to guests.

Work Environment

The work environment is a mix of office work and event operations. This position will move throughout campus stadiums and travel within the university grounds. Events may be indoor or outdoor.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing and moving throughout a kitchen and venue, bending, lifting, and reaching.
• Ability to perform physical tasks; such as lifting approximately 30 lbs.

Position Salary & Benefits

• The salary range for this position is very competitive plus an opportunity for an 11% performance bonus.
• Benefits include health insurance, dental, vision, life, 401k, short & long term disability, cell phone reimbursement, and HSA opportunities.
• Flexible relocation package.

Proof of the Pudding and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and employing a diverse workforce. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, x, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Management and Manufacturing

Industries

• Events Services

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Proof of the Pudding by 2x.

Get notified about new Director of Operations jobs in Mississippi Valley State University, MS.

We're unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.