Chef de Cuisine, UCEN Dining Leadership

University of California; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 62,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical-Dental-Vision

Retirement Plans

Life Insurance

Legal Insurance

Pet Insurance

Holidays & Leave

Job summary

University of California, Santa Cruz is seeking a Chef de Cuisine to lead UCEN's dining operations, ensuring high-quality food and safe, efficient service across on-site venues. You will supervise kitchen staff, develop menus, test recipes, and maintain HACCP standards while managing budgets and staffing.

You will collaborate with the UCEN Manager and CHES leadership to deliver exceptional dining experiences for students, staff, and guests, while upholding campus values and sustainability goals.

Qualifications

• Strong supervisory, leadership, and personnel management skills.
• Culinary production skills and knowledge of dietary needs.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to organize, schedule, and supervise staff.
• Experience recruiting and mentoring staff.
• Ability to read recipes and menus and estimate ingredients.
• Excellent interpersonal communication; maintain confidentiality.
• Time management and independent work.
• Fluency in English; basic computer skills for kitchen systems.
• Familiarity with HACCP and food safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Develops, tests, and refines UCEN menus and recipes.
• Oversees kitchen staff and production for UCEN on-site operations.
• Ensures food safety, sanitation, and HACCP compliance.
• Manages budgets, labor, and inventory with the UCEN Manager.
• Coordinates with managers for service quality and guest experience.

Skills

Supervisory leadership

Culinary production

Multitasking

Staff scheduling

Recruitment & mentoring

Recipe & menu knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Confidentiality

Time management

English proficiency

Education

BA/BS in dining services or hospitality

Tools

FoodPro UCEN software

Job description

University of California, Santa Cruz is seeking a Chef de Cuisine to lead UCEN's dining operations, ensuring high-quality food and safe, efficient service across on-site venues. You will supervise kitchen staff, develop menus, test recipes, and maintain HACCP standards while managing budgets and staffing.

You will collaborate with the UCEN Manager and CHES leadership to deliver exceptional dining experiences for students, staff, and guests, while upholding campus values and sustainability goals.