Associate Director of Culinary Services, Executive Chef

Washington State University; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring incentive up to $5,000

Job summary

Washington State University is seeking an Associate Director of Culinary Services, Executive Chef to shape the culinary program for Dining Services, overseeing eight unit chefs and a large production team. The role focuses on high-quality food, sanitation, and staff development within a campus-wide dining operation.

You will manage the development and testing of concepts, drive cost controls, and ensure excellent service for 4,500–5,500 residential students and a broader campus community.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and five years of progressively responsible experience, including at least two years in management.
• Master’s degree may substitute for up to one year of required experience.
• ServSafe certification required; valid driver’s license or ability to obtain by time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Create and lead culinary vision for Dining Services and eight unit chef/managers.
• Plan, organize, and manage development, testing, and implementation of culinary concepts.
• Oversee food quality, sanitation, and staff training across a large university dining program.

Skills

Leadership

Food cost controls

Staff training

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Master's degree in Culinary Arts, Hotel and Restaurant Management

Certified Executive Chef (ACF)

Tools

CBORD

Menu management software

Inventory management software

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:October 18, 2026If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.Available Title(s):1158-NN_ADMINPRO - Associate DirectorBusiness Title:Associate Director of Culinary Services, Executive ChefEmployee Type:Admin. ProfessionalPosition Details:The Opportunity:As the Associate Director of Culinary Services, Executive Chef for Dining Services , you will create and lead the culinary vision for Dining Services by planning, organizing, and managing the development, testing, and implementation of culinary concepts and programs that support an operation generating approximately $20 million in annual gross sales. You will support the organizational mission by meeting overall food cost goals, providing culinary leadership and direction to eight unit chef/managers and their culinary production teams, and maintaining high standards for food quality, sanitation, and staff training across a large university retail and catering dining program. In this role, you will play a key part in supporting student success by leading culinary operations that serve 4,500 to 5,500 residential students and the broader Pullman campus community of approximately 20,000 students. You will also directly supervise and provide leadership to the General Manager/Chef responsible for Catering, Grab-and-Go, and Bakeshop operations, overseeing a team that includes four Associate Managers, seven civil service employees, and 80 to 100 student employees.To support WSU’s ability to attract talent in a competitive job market, this recruitment has been approved for a hiring incentive payment of up to $5,000.00. More information regarding the hiring incentive payment program can be located on the HRS website: Hiring Incentive – Human Resource Services, Washington State University (wsu.edu) .Additional Information:This is a full time ( 100% FTE), permanent position. Overtime eligibility will be determined based on final salary placement.Monthly Salary: $6,012.09 - $9,403.52 | Commensurate with experience and qualificationsIn accordance with RCW 49.58.110 , the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation .Required Qualifications:Positions require a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in a related field which has included at least two (2) years of management experience. A Master’s degree in a relevant field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.Experience in university culinary operations, including responsibility for multi-unit food service operations, development of culinary programs for multi-unit operations that reflect culinary depth and breadth in concept development, facility development, equipment specification, recipe development, menu management, food and labor cost controls, plating and presentation.Strong proficiency using computer software.Experience with menu management and inventory management software.Demonstrated work experience of successful supervision and training of a diverse work staff.Strong written communication skills.Must be ServSafe certified.Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.Preferred Qualifications:Master’s degree in Culinary Arts, Hotel and Restaurant Management.Certified Executive Chef through the American Culinary Federation (ACF).Experience managing a central food production/commissary facility providing finished bakery and deli products for multiple operations.Experience in a management position with direct responsibility for development of culinary programs and food cost in a large scale catering operation with multiple catering locations.Experience using food production software to manage recipe and menu development, food costs, forecast menus, food purchases and inventory.Experience using CBORD food production software to manage recipe and menu development, food costs, forecast menus, food purchases and inventory is highly preferred.Experience with sustainable food procurement and production.Experience managing bargaining unit covered employees.HACCP certificationPosition Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorshipAbout Department/College/Area/ Campus - dining.wsu.eduArea/College: Student AffairsDepartment Name: Dining ServicesLocation: Pullman, WAApplication Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.1) Resume2) Cover LetterExternal candidates , upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.Current WSU Employees (internal candidates) , before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday . Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34 , engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.Time Type:Full timePosition Term:12 MonthWashington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [e-mail] .Notice of Non-DiscriminationIn matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/