Chef - Full-time Days

Watertown Regional Medical Center; Watertown (WI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Watertown Regional Medical Center in Watertown, WI, is seeking an experienced hospital Chef to lead patient and staff meals, ensure nutritional quality, presentation, and safety standards, and manage menus, schedules, and sanitation.

You will supervise kitchen staff, enforce recipes, monitor inventory, control costs, and uphold infection control policies in a fast-paced healthcare dietary program.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Culinary training or certification preferred.
• ServSafe or equivalent food safety certification preferred or required, depending on facility policy.

Responsibilities

• Oversees production of meals for patients, employees, and guests.
• Ensures proper preparation and portioning of meals according to dietary standards.
• Leads kitchen staff and coordinates food prep schedules to ensure meal readiness.
• Maintains food safety by following HACCP standards and required documentation.
• Monitors inventory levels and orders food and supplies as needed.
• Follows cleaning schedules and ensures sanitation standards are met.
• Provides on-the-job training and guidance to cooks and kitchen staff.
• Promotes quality improvement and process efficiency initiatives.
• Participates in departmental budget management by minimizing waste and maximizing product usage.
• Fosters positive working relationships across departments to ensure quality service delivery.

Skills

Food safety

Team leadership

Menu planning

Dietary knowledge

Food preparation

Sanitation

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Culinary training/certification

Job description

Watertown, Wisconsin

Facility Watertown Regional Medical Center

Req ID 555843 Post Date 07/23/2026

Be part of Watertown Regional Medical Center, an acute-care hospital in southeastern Wisconsin that consistently earns national awards for its high-quality care from the likes of Becker's Hospital Review, Chartis, Healthgrades, The Leapfrog Group, and parent company ScionHealth. Watertown Regional's exceptional care across multiple specialty services is also reflected in its numerous accreditations and certifications. Join our team and grow your career in a hospital where everyday excellence meets or exceeds expectations.

Description

Be part of Watertown Regional Medical Center, an acute-care hospital in southeastern Wisconsin that consistently earns national awards for its high-quality care from the likes of Becker's Hospital Review, Chartis, Healthgrades, The Leapfrog Group, and parent company ScionHealth. Watertown Regional's exceptional care across multiple specialty services is also reflected in its numerous accreditations and certifications. Join our team and grow your career in a hospital where everyday excellence meets or exceeds expectations.

Schedule

Job Summary

9am - 7:30pm

The Chef oversees and participates in the preparation of meals for patients, employees, and guests, ensuring nutritional quality, presentation, and compliance with safety standards. This position plans menus, directs kitchen staff, maintains cleanliness and organization, and ensures adherence to recipes, schedules, and regulatory standards.

Essential Functions

• Oversees production of hot and cold meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and special functions.
• Ensures proper preparation and portioning of meals according to dietary and production standards.
• Leads kitchen staff and coordinates food prep schedules to ensure meal readiness.
• Maintains food safety by following HACCP standards and completing required documentation.
• Monitors inventory levels and orders food and supplies from stockroom or vendors as needed.
• Follows cleaning schedules and ensures all kitchen equipment and surfaces meet sanitation standards.
• Provides on-the-job training and guidance to cooks and kitchen staff.
• Promotes quality improvement and participates in process efficiency initiatives.
• Participates in departmental budget management by minimizing waste and maximizing product usage.
• Fosters positive working relationships across departments to ensure quality service delivery.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Strong understanding of food preparation techniques, portion control, and safety standards
• Ability to lead, motivate, and train kitchen staff
• Critical thinking and decision-making skills
• Knowledge of dietary restrictions and modified diets
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with minimal supervision
• Constant standing, walking, bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, and lifting up to 75 lbs
• Frequent use of hands and arms in repetitive motions; occasional kneeling and climbing
• Exposure to temperature changes, biohazards, cleaning chemicals, and kitchen equipment
• Commercial kitchen within a hospital or healthcare setting
• Regular exposure to hot surfaces, sharp tools, and cleaning agents
• Must adhere to infection control and safety policies at all times

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED (Required)
• Culinary training or certification (Preferred)

Licenses/Certifications

• ServSafe or equivalent food safety certification (Preferred or required depending on facility policy)

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of large-quantity food preparation and cooking on demand (Required)
• Prior experience following recipes, organizing prep work, and maintaining sanitation (Required)