Director, Culinary Operations

Job Summary

Oversee all aspects of culinary operations for the assigned department, to include production, service, purchasing, and vendor management, menu development, presentation standards, sustainability, kitchen operations and equipment purchasing oversight, and training programs for residential dining (two dining halls), catering, non-franchised retail dining operations across KSU campuses and locations, and the Grab-and-Go program.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Manages kitchen personnel with responsibility for hiring, training, and performance management
2. Ensures proper training of all culinary team members is in place for optimal production results
3. Directs quality, consistency, and adherence to KSU standards; tastes food and adjust recipes as needed
4. Coordinates and oversees all culinary related activities and/or programs
5. Estimates food consumption and requisitions or purchases food, selects and develops recipes, standardizes production recipes to ensure consistent quality, establishes presentation technique and quality standards, plan, and price menus
6. Responsible for component menu planning and recipe development, costing, and brand management
7. Responsible for and manages multimillion dollar food and culinary operational expense budgets
8. Ensures fiscal responsibility and efficiency of dining facilities through utilization of all food prep and cooking
9. Oversees special catering events and may also offer culinary instruction and/or demonstrate culinary techniques
10. Ensures labeling requirements are met and compliance with allergen containment procedures
11. Researches innovative ideas and trends throughout college and university dining plans to develop recipes and menus for all food operations
12. Develops and is accountable for a safety culture that creates a safe and sanitary work environment ensuring compliance with sanitation and safety requirements
13. Coordinates activities with other internal departments and participates in management team meetings
14. Meets with student groups and University partners as needed to promote relationship building and guest satisfaction