Server Lead

About the Role:

Creative Dining Services is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Server Lead to join our team at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI. As a Server Lead, you will utilize your excellent communication and interpersonal skills to provide exceptional service to our guests. Your strong leadership and problem-solving skills will be essential in overseeing the daily operations of the restaurant and ensuring that our team members are performing at their best. You will also use your flexibility and ability to work in a fast-paced environment to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, while maintaining a positive and professional work environment. Additionally, your knowledge of inventory management and cost control, as well as your experience with POS systems and restaurant technology, will be beneficial in this role.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Create a welcoming dining experience by serving meals to students, guests, and customers with professionalism and enthusiasm.
• Prepare service stations before meal periods, ensuring hot and cold menu item displays are visually appealing, properly garnished, and consistently stocked throughout service.
• Become knowledgeable about daily menu offerings and confidently assist guests with questions about featured items.
• Set up and maintain condiment stations and meal accompaniments to enhance the overall dining experience.
• Maintain high standards for food safety, portion control, temperature monitoring, and presentation while following all established procedures.
• Partner closely with kitchen staff to communicate inventory needs, monitor product quality, and help ensure a seamless service operation.
• Champion cleanliness and food safety by adhering to company, state, and federal sanitation guidelines and maintaining an organized workspace.
• Properly handle and store unserved food items to minimize waste and maintain quality standards.
• Efficiently close down service areas, including cleaning, sanitizing, restocking, and preparing for future meal periods.
• Support overall facility cleanliness through routine cleaning and team-focused operational tasks.
• Contribute to a positive team environment by assisting with additional responsibilities as needed.

As a member of our dining services team, you'll play an important role in creating a positive dining experience, supporting food quality and safety, and helping foster a welcoming environment for every guest who visits our facility.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The Line Worker position involves the physical work of being mobile for several hours at a time. Must be able to move pans of food onto serving area. Must be able to handle serving equipment (tongs, spoons, ladles, etc.) and plate and place food on counter. Must be able to wipe, sweep and clean floors and perform other cleaning functions.  Kitchen/serving environment may include hot, humid, or cold temperatures. Must be able to move/lift 25 lbs.

Methods to perform essential job functions will be reasonably accommodated to allow individuals with disabilities to perform them.

Education - Skills - Expectations

• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred but not required
• Some experience in foodservice preferred

Must possess a positive, can-do attitude, be detail-oriented, and possess a well-rounded knowledge of the food service industry. Must maintain professionalism at all times, and work with others in a cooperative manner, even while working under pressure. Willing to engage actively in the physical work of a high-quality hospitality service operation. As a representative of Creative Dining Services, must function in accordance with our corporate Mission, Vision, and Core Values statements.

As a Server Lead, you are responsible primarily for the distribution of food items to customers in a cafeteria setting. Provide fast, efficient service to all customers. Follow procedures and policies outlined by the company, such as portion control and plating procedures, while displaying a friendly and helpful attitude to all customers and fellow employees. Follow company guidelines regarding safety and sanitation.