Utility Manager Jobs in Philadelphia, PA (NOW HIRING)

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation's finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

Swarthmore Dining is dedicated to serving our community with nutritious and satisfying food in a welcoming environment every day. Our mission is to offer a diverse menu that features high-quality ingredients, emphasizing locally grown and sustainably produced products whenever possible. We are committed to inclusive dining by ensuring vegetarian, vegan, and accommodations for dietary restrictions are always available. As a self-operated dining program encompassing Residential Dining, we pride ourselves on providing a work-life balance that is often difficult to find in the restaurant industry. Join us at Swarthmore Dining to be a part of a vibrant community committed to quality, sustainability, and exceptional service in a state-of-the-art kitchen setting.

The opportunity:

Reporting to the Residential Manager, the Associate Residential Manager provides customer service and oversees sanitation in the Dining Center. The manager ensures that proper cleaning and maintenance standards are met consistently.

The Associate Residential Manager is responsible for hiring, scheduling, coaching, and training utility staff. In partnership with the Director and Associate Director, sets performance expectations and ensures performance and customer service expectations are met.

The Associate Residential Manager ensures proper inventory is maintained, small wares associated with the serving lines are outfitted correctly.

Essential Responsibilities

• Manage and Support utility crew which includes, hiring, training, scheduling, assessing and progressive discipline when needed.
• Assist in overseeing sanitation in Dining Center, working with utility supervisor to ensure proper cleaning and maintenance of location.
• Coach and develop front of house staff on standardization of  line presentation and proper portions as outlined by the Dining Management.
• Develop employee scheduling to ensure that necessary coverage is met and stay within budget parameters.
• Overseeing and hands on working with in operation on a daily basis, to ensure operations are meeting the guidelines and goals of the department.
• Direct the education, training and professional development of utility staff.  This includes revising job summaries and creating processes and procedures for efficient operations.
• Work with Purchasing to ensure proper product and equipment that is needed is ordered.
• Perform all duties assigned with opening and closing procedures for the unit.
• Oversee daily operations of the Dining Hall to ensure guidelines, standards and goals are being met and continually challenged including: sanitation, safety, customer service, high quality production standards and presentation, financial responsibility.
• Interact with & maintain a hands on relationship with hourly staff as is needed to understand and evaluate all areas of the operation - including efficiency, morale, skill levels, meeting customer expectations.
• Professionally and effectively communicate with and provide information to other departments and campus staff as needed and/or requested.
• Be intuitive, flexible and available at all times to assist wherever there is a need.
• Training and coordinating service staff through written and verbal instructions.
• Improve and ensure customer service goals are being met. 
• Ensure staff is in proper uniform and is following proper procedures.
• Oversee supervisors and their direct reports.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises the work of the utility staff
• Effectively performs the following:
  • Organize workflow and ensure staff understand their duties or delegated tasks.
  • Provide and develop training opportunities.
  • Create and conduct staff performance evaluations.
  • Communicate key issues and information to staff.
  • Provide fair, constructive, and timely feedback.
  • In partnership with Human Resources, follow disciplinary procedures as established in accordance with the employee handbook.
• Participate in supervisory training opportunities.
• Maintain a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment.

Who you are:

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a team environment.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability.
• Ability to communicate with co-workers and management with professionalism and respect.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• High School degree with 5 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Serv-safe Certification
• Valid Driver's License
• Ability to drive a van
• Demonstrated knowledge of production requirements, human resources and fiscal management.
• Demonstrated leadership in developing vision and strategic planning.
• Proficiency in Microsoft office, e-mail, CBORDsystem (or others), Recipe software, Inventory systems, Timekeeping systems, and Catering systems software.
• Demonstrated experience in managing labor costs.
• Experience with human resource management skills, including the selection, training, supervision and evaluation of professional exempt staff and nonexempt staff.
• Experience in large scale catering and event experience. 
• Experience in budget development, financial systems and operating budget management.
• Outstanding communication skills including interpersonal communication, writing, public speaking and presenting, teaching and instruction.
• Demonstrated experience in managing labor costs.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability and strong commitment to customer service in a diverse community. 
• Demonstrated record of teamwork, collaboration and partnership with numerous operations, services, colleagues and programs.
• Working knowledge in a commercial restaurant, hotel, or catering establishment.
• Problem-solving skills are a necessary requirement for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in food service administration, institutional management, nutrition, dietetics or related area.
• 4 or more years of progressively more responsible supervisory and administrative experience in a high volume food service operation that offers a varying daily menu.

What You Will Get:

You'll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration and priority review, submit applications with pay expectations and an uploaded resume, and the application materials will be reviewed immediately and on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The market range for this position is $65,000-$71,000 per year, which represents the College's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

PA Criminal Clearance Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

MVR Clearance Required by Position

Due to operating a College owned motor vehicle while performing essential job responsibilities for this position, a motor vehicle report (MVR) clearance is required prior to the start of employment.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee's salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

2026 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.