Food Services Lead

The Food Services Lead is responsible for managing day-to-day dining facility operations across multiple BLiSS sites in Iraq, ensuring that all meals, services, and kitchen activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with U.S. Embassy, FDA, and Amentum standards. The Food Services Lead serves as the operational link between dining staff, vendors, the Food Operations Manager, and U.S. Embassy representatives. Must have an Active Secret Clearance. This position will report directly to the BLiSS Food Operations Manager.

DUTIES

• Lead day-to-day dining facility operations across assigned site(s), ensuring safety, sanitary, and efficient preparation and service of meals.

• Allocate and adjust staff resources to meet fluctuating operational needs, surge events, and special missions.

• Monitor food preparation, portion control, presentation, and service delivery for consistency and quality.

• Ensure all kitchen equipment is maintained, operational, and used safely.

• Enforce strict adherence to HACCP, FDA regulations, ServSafe standards, and U.S. Embassy food compliance protocols.

• Conduct daily sanitation checks, food safety inspections, and staff compliance audits.

• Document and resolve non-conformance issues in coordination with the Food Operations Manager and Quality Assurance team.

• Supervise multinational food service employees including cooks, stewards, and serving staff.

• Provide on-the-job training in food safety, customer service, and kitchen operations.

• Support employee relations by providing feedback, coaching, performance appraisals, and corrective actions when required.

• Track, monitor, and report on food usage, waste, and inventory levels to ensure accountability and cost control.

• Support procurement by providing consumption data and operational needs forecasts to the Food Operations Manager.

• Maintain accurate records of meals served, rations issued, and supplies consumed.

• Serve as point-of-contact with U.S. Embassy representatives and site leadership on food service issues.

• Communicate operational status, challenges, and solutions to the Food Operations Manager.

• Respond promptly to customer feedback, complaints, and mission-driven adjustments to service.

• Recommend operational improvements to enhance efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.

• Participate in emergency response planning (supply disruptions, food recalls, or security events affecting operations).

• Support implementation of new technologies, reporting systems, and process improvements.

REQUIRED

Clearance:

• Active Secret Clerance

Experience:

• Minimum ten (10) years of progressive food service leadership experience in large-scale dining facilities, institutional food service, or contingency operations (e.g., campus cafeterias, hospitals, government/life support contracts).

• Demonstrated experience supervising multi-national teams in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Education:

• Associate's degree in food & Beverage, Hospitality, or related field. In lieu of degree, a minimum of ten (10) years of direct food service management experience.

Licenses & Certifications:

• ServSafe Certification required.

• Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE) preferred.

• HACCP Certification preferred and able to obtain within six months of hire.

• Other relevant management or food safety certifications a plus.

Passport: As part of pre-contingency requirements, by the time the visa process starts, candidates must possess a valid passport with a minimum of 18 months remaining to expiration date with 8 blank pages. Valid drivers' license from Home of Record.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of food service operations, sanitation, menu planning, and kitchen logistics.

• Proven ability to lead diverse teams and manage daily operations across multiple facilities.

• Skilled in resource allocation, scheduling, and workforce management.

• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and food service management systems.

• Effective communication and reporting skills for coordination with staff, management, and U.S. Government stakeholders.

• Ability to work under pressure, adapt quickly to changing priorities, and maintain operational continuity.

WORKING AND LIVING CONDITIONS:

This position may be in a war zone, in an environment with harsh and dangerous working and living conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may regularly be exposed to extreme and austere desert-like environment. Temperatures can reach degrees Fahrenheit/50-55 degrees Celsius during the summer months. Employees must be willing and able to perform regular job requirements in this austere, extreme environment, as well as willing and able to deploy to Iraq for extended periods. Work schedules are a minimum of 6 days per week and 10 hours per day, while some jobs have higher daily and weekly minimums. Employees must be willing and able to perform physical activities including, but not limited to, heavy lifting and moving of items, parts, assemblies, and equipment up to the safety regulation maximum; climbing in and out of equipment; crawling; and working outdoors. This includes being able to lift and carry 40 pounds of personal protective equipment for extended periods of time and being capable of running and 'duck & cover' during emergencies without putting oneself or others at risk.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Amentum is a drug-free workplace.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed,  marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters.