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Student Dining Associate Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Chartwells K12

DIR, DINING SERVICES II

Middleville, MI · On-site

... 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 ...

Compass Group

DIR, DINING SERVICES II

Middleville, MI · On-site

... 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 ...

Compass Group

DIR, DINING SERVICES II

Middleville, MI · On-site

... 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 ...

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Student Dining Associate information

What is a student dining associate?

Student Dining Associates are students who work part-time in campus dining facilities, assisting with tasks such as food preparation, serving, cashiering, and maintaining cleanliness in dining areas. They help ensure that the dining operations run smoothly and provide quality service to fellow students and staff. This role often offers flexible hours to accommodate students' class schedules and provides valuable work experience in customer service and teamwork.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a student dining associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Student Dining Associate, you need basic food handling knowledge, customer service skills, and the ability to follow safety and sanitation guidelines, often requiring completion of food safety training. Familiarity with point-of-sale systems, dishwashers, and kitchen equipment is typically expected. Strong teamwork, reliability, and communication skills help you interact effectively with coworkers and customers. These capabilities ensure efficient operations, high-quality service, and a safe dining environment.

What are some common challenges faced by student dining associates, and how can they be managed effectively?

Student Dining Associates often encounter challenges such as managing high-volume meal times, multitasking between food preparation and serving, and maintaining cleanliness under time constraints. Effective time management and clear communication with team members are essential to ensure smooth operations. Many dining facilities provide on-the-job training and encourage teamwork, making it easier to adapt and succeed even during busy shifts. Seeking feedback and being open to learning can also help you grow and handle these challenges more confidently.

What is the difference between Student Dining Associate vs Food Service Worker?

AspectStudent Dining AssociateFood Service Worker
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; no formal certification neededHigh school diploma or equivalent; food safety certification may be preferred
Work EnvironmentSchool cafeterias, college dining hallsRestaurants, cafeterias, catering services
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, universitiesFood service establishments, hospitality industry
Common TasksServing food, cleaning dining areas, assisting studentsPreparing food, serving customers, cleaning workstations

Both roles involve food service in institutional settings, but Student Dining Associates typically work in school environments assisting students and maintaining dining areas, while Food Service Workers often work in broader food establishments with more food preparation responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Student Dining jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Student Dining jobs in Michigan are:

What job categories do people searching Student Dining Associate jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Student Dining Associate jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Student Dining Associate jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Student Dining Associate job openings:

Student Dining Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Student Dining Associate job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Director of Dining Services - University Liggett School

Compass Group

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI • On-site

$80K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Compass Group rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 1,092 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

348th of 495 rated business services

Job description

Salary: $80000 - $85000 / year

Other Forms of Compensation: N/A 

Flik Independent School Dining has been leading the way in transforming private and independent school foodservice across 300 communities for over four decades. Our passionate team of associates is fully committed to delivering exceptional foodservice experiences every single time. Our meals are crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, supporting sustainable agricultural practices that benefit our communities. But we don't stop at just foodservice – we take it to the next level by offering cutting-edge nutrition education programs that empower students to make smart, healthy choices daily. By combining nutritious meals with comprehensive education, we equip students with the essential tools they need to lead a healthy and thriving life.  We believe in nourishing the whole person, creating community through great food and programming, and doing what’s right, every time.

We are Nourishing a Brighter Future.

Job Summary

The Director of Dining Services is responsible for leading all aspects of dining operations at a private or independent K-12 school, ensuring outstanding service, food quality, and client happiness. University Liggett School is a private, coeducational college preparatory day school serving approximately 600 students from preschool through 12th grade. This role involves leading all aspects of daily operations, handling financial performance, leading a team with dynamic strengths, and building positive relationships with school partners. The ideal candidate is a strategic, hands-on leader with a passion for food service excellence, team development, and creating a welcoming dining experience for students, faculty, and guests.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide leadership and direction for all food service operations, including student dining, catering, and special events.
  • Maintain strong relationships with clients, school administrators, students, and guests, ensuring exceptional service and satisfaction.
  • Collaborate with the Executive Chef and culinary team to design and implement seasonal menus and new culinary programs.
  • Lead all financial aspects of the account including budgeting, forecasting, invoice processing, daily sales reporting, catering invoicing, and period-end closing.
  • Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and allergen protocols; champion a culture of safety for associates and guests.
  • Conduct daily pre-service meetings to align the team on expectations, service standards, and key updates.
  • Lead recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, training, and performance management for dining associates.
  • Conduct mid-year and annual performance reviews; provide mentorship, feedback, and professional development opportunities.
  • Drive participation and customer engagement through marketing, menu innovation, promotional events, and catering showcases.
  • Ensure high standards of service, cleanliness, and presentation across all dining areas.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Hospitality, Culinary Arts, Business, or a related field preferred.
  • 3–5 years of dynamic food service management experience, preferably in school dining, contract services, or high-volume hospitality.
  • Confirmed experience leading budgets, financial reporting, and cost controls.
  • Strong background in catering, special events, and high-volume food production.
  • Proven ability to lead and develop teams, handle deadlines, and implement critical initiatives.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams).
  • ServSafe Certification preferred.
  • Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
  • Passion for continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering an outstanding dining experience.

Apply to Flik today!

Flik Independent School Dining is a member of Compass Group USA

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Associates at Flik Independent School Dining are offered many fantastic 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

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information. https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_FISD.pdf

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. 

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. 

Flik Independent School Dining maintains a drug-free workplace.

Req ID: 1559598

FISD 

STEPHANIE FREER 

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