Chef Manager

The Claremont Colleges Services; Claremont (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Pomona College is seeking a Chef Manager to lead daily kitchen operations, ensure high-quality menus, and maintain HACCP compliance in Dining Services. You will supervise staff, coordinate with the Executive Chef and AGM on events, and uphold safety standards across multiple dining locations on campus.

The role requires strong leadership, a culinary background with 5+ years of experience, ServSafe certification, and a commitment to exceptional customer service for students and staff.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required, plus 5 years of culinary leadership experience.
• AOS or associate degree in culinary, hotel/restaurant management, or equivalent preferred.
• Must obtain California ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification within 30 days of hire and renew every 5 years.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of dining halls, including HR, budget and customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with Executive Chef and AGM on catering events and new menus.
• Provide direction and oversight to staff, training, hiring, and performance evaluations.
• Ensure HACCP compliance, food safety, portion control and quality standards across units.
• Develop menus and manage purchasing, inventory, and cost controls.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

AOS or associate degree in culinary

Job description

Job Posting Location: Claremont, CA

Job Posting Title: Chef Manager

ABOUT POMONA COLLEGE

Located near Los Angeles, California, Pomona College is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges. Established in 1887, Pomona College is known for small classes, a challenging curriculum, close relationships between students and faculty, and a range of student research and leadership opportunities. Pomona is a member of The Claremont Colleges.

JOB PURPOSE

The Chef Manager supports the global campus community by providing students, guests, faculty and staff with outstanding cuisine and cutting‑edge menus while delivering exceptional customer service. This position works collaboratively with the Executive Chef and General Manager in developing and supervising production, culinary standards, safety and ensuring the kitchen is in compliance with HACCP guidelines, staff training and performance of kitchen staff. The Chef Manager works directly with the Dining Management team to ensure that food policies and programs promote excellence in food quality and presentation, while promoting and shaping sound sustainable business practices while cultivating the latest trends in collegiate dining services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• 1. Manage the daily operations of assigned Dining Halls, including human resources, financial performance, operating standards and community satisfaction.
• 2. Collaborate with the Catering Manager, Executive Chef, AGM, and the Catering Chef on an ongoing basis to coordinate upcoming catering events.
• 3. Provide clear direction and oversight of all department activities in order to develop and achieve annual goals, including budgeting, planning and staff development. Responsible for monitoring and evaluating secondary reports, and overall staff performance and daily assignments. Maintain an efficient, collegial, and proactive work environment within Dining Services and collaborating departments. Oversee the performance of all unit personnel and the direction of food preparation in the kitchen. Provide professional culinary advice and leadership to cooks and Dining Hall staff. Participate in hiring, staff training and development and supervision of production staff. Cultivate a respectful and positive work environment and motivate staff to perform optimally and engage in problem solving. Manage relationships with staff, customers, vendors, student groups and organizations to develop and implement customer focused services and programs. Develop and maintain professional relationships with Union Shop Stewards.
• 4. Must maintain a current California ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification and successfully complete recertification every five (5) years.
• 5. Collaborate with the AGM to oversee Dining Halls and staff to ensure compliance with safe food handling practices and the highest level of food quality and customer service is provided for the Pomona College community. Oversee production of all food items to ensure compliance with HACCP guidelines, portion control, and quality of products served. Schedule evaluations and quality control tests of meal production. Inspect food storage and direct sanitary maintenance of kitchen and storage facilities. Ensure compliance with all College policies and procedures and with all applicable local, state and federal laws, regulations, and public health standards. Conduct periodic and regular inspections of assigned units to monitor the quality of: food preparation and service; food appearance and merchandising; safety, cleanliness, sanitation, and maintenance of equipment, production areas and service areas; employee appearance and cleanliness.
• 6. Provide excellent and professional customer service to students, faculty, staff, and external customers. Resolve problems and follow up with customers directly to ensure full customer satisfaction, without unnecessarily referring customers to other staff members.
• 7. Collaborate with and assist the AGM to develop, plan and implement new programs, events, projects, concepts, and marketing plans for Dining Services operations. This includes ongoing review and refinement of the existing comprehensive meal program. Develop menus in accordance with customer tastes, presentation, market and food trends and established quality standards. Oversee the purchasing of food, supplies and equipment used in Dining Services. Oversee and assure food and supply purchases and labor costs are accurate and kept within established budgets. Maintain proper inventory controls of equipment, supplies, food and beverages.
• 8. Plan, develop and supervise a culinary team by using a comprehensive and innovative menu and food menu management system.
• 9. Stay abreast of trends and developments in the food services and catering industry, such as menus, trends in consumer tastes, management issues, methods and equipment. Make recommendations for application into existing operations as necessary.
• 10. Write various reports concerning kitchen or staff related issues.
• 11. Coordinate special projects/tasks/duties and provide assistance as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: High School Diploma, GED or equivalent combination of education and 5 years’ experience is required. An AOS or associate degree from an accredited culinary program, hotel/restaurant school or equivalent educational experience is preferred.
• Licenses/Certificates: Must take and successfully pass California ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification within 30 days of hire and successfully recertify every 5 years. Certified nutrition, sanitation, hospitality management, culinary training, and/or bakery training. Eligibility of Certified Chef de Cuisine (C.C.C.) or Certified Sous Chef (C.S.C.) through ACF. A valid driver’s license is essential to drive College-owned vehicles. Must take and successfully pass a functional capacity test after job offer and prior to hire.
• Experience: A minimum of 5 years of demonstrable culinary leadership as a chef or a related position experience is required. Increasing responsibility and knowledge of the food services industry in the areas of commercial kitchen and food service operations including menu planning and schedule production, automated food ordering, preparation, set‑up, pricing, merchandising, presentation, maintenance is preferred. Knowledge of HACCP and experience at an academic institution is preferred.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND CRITICAL SKILLS

• 1. Deploy professional skills in culinary design and management, restaurant and hospitality management, food services management and safety, in collaboration with colleagues, to best promote the College’s strategic interests. Knowledge of budget development for a large, multi‑unit institution. Must maintain a friendly, professional and helpful demeanor around staff and customers and act as a staff role model for how to deliver superior customer service and food services to the Pomona College community and the general public. Knowledge of the operation and oversee the use of a variety of kitchen equipment, appliances and machines in order to cook, measure, mix, wash, peel, cut, shred, and store a variety of food items such as meats, fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients. Provide professional leadership and supervision for dining staff to promote a positive work environment and teamwork within a diverse group. Must recruit and train dining staff. Experience working in a union environment. Have practical working knowledge of industry standards to provide healthy meals and eating environments at the College.
• 2. Demonstrate effective, accurate and clear communication with excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, reading, phone, customer service and leadership skills to supervise, facilitate, motivate and inspire a highly diverse group of employees.
• 3. Experience within a customer service oriented environment responding to and meeting/exceeding the needs of the customer; skill in identifying the customer’s perspective and maintaining a commitment to excellence in customer service.
• 4. Operate computers proficiently with basic Microsoft Office software (such as Word, Excel, Outlook) and associated professional software (such as Jamix, menu management software, CX CARS, and menu‑driven databases). Use assigned technology/devices/equipment to achieve annual goals and maintain confidentiality.
• 5. Handle all activities and highly confidential information with patience, discretion, good judgment, and tact while working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• 6. Prioritize and perform multiple projects/tasks, meet deadlines/timelines, respond to others in a timely manner, and work both independently and as a collaborative member of the College with a high standard of integrity and ethics, in support of the College’s strategic vision and the division’s/department’s annual goals.
• 7. Use exceptional organizational, time management, problem solving, and basic math skills to complete work with accuracy and a keen attention to detail, in a highly visible, deadline‑driven environment.
• 8. Operate the College’s vehicles safely for campus‑related work and meet all insurance‑related requirements.
• 9. Must place requisitions for supplies and equipment in a timely manner.
• 10. Must safely lift and move supplies and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and walk and stand for long periods of time.
• 11. Must report to work on time and in uniform at the start of each shift.
• 12. Thorough knowledge of food allergens, ingredient composition, and cross‑contact prevention practices, with the ability to effectively manage customer allergen concerns, accommodate dietary restrictions, and ensure compliance with food safety standards.

REQUIRED HOURS

This full‑time position requires scheduling flexibility based on the operational needs of the College and Dining Services. Work schedules may include evenings, weekends, and holidays and are subject to change based on business and operational needs. The position may be assigned to or required to provide coverage at different dining locations across campus. Work location, scheduled hours, and assigned shifts may change periodically, including from one academic year to another, based on departmental needs. The employee must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule and adapt to changes in work location and scheduling as needed.

ADDITIONAL POSITION DETAILS

• This position is full‑time, exempt and benefits eligible.
• The rate for this role is between $72,000 - $82,000 annually.
• The specific factors that the College will consider when offering a salary to an individual will include, but not be limited to: education, training, relevant prior experience, and performance in prior roles.
• All staff positions are ineligible for visa or permanent resident card sponsorship.
• As a California employer, Pomona College requires all employees to be residents of California.
• Pomona College offers a wide variety of benefits and perks including health, dental, and vision plan options; paid time off; flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits; tuition assistance; fitness and wellness programs; ride share incentives; and so much more!

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.

Never Occasionally Constantly Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.

Never Occasionally Constantly Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

Never Occasionally Constantly Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.

Never Occasionally Constantly Adjusting or moving objects up to __ pounds in all directions.

Never Occasionally Constantly Communicating with others to exchange information.

Never Occasionally Constantly Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

Never Occasionally Constantly Operating machinery and/or power tools.

Never Occasionally Constantly Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.

Never Occasionally Constantly Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Never Occasionally Constantly Environmental Conditions Low temperatures.

Never Occasionally Constantly High temperatures.

Never Occasionally Constantly Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.

Never Occasionally Constantly Noisy environments.

Never Occasionally Constantly Hazardous conditions.

Never Occasionally Constantly Poor ventilation.

Never Occasionally Constantly Small and/or enclosed spaces.

Never Occasionally Constantly No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Never Occasionally Constantly Physical Demands Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

Never Occasionally Constantly Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.

Never Occasionally Constantly Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.

Never Occasionally Constantly Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.

Never Occasionally Constantly ADA/OSHA: This job description defines the essential job duties of this position. The College expects that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

DISCLAIMER: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. When duties and responsibilities change and develop, the College will review this job description and make changes of business necessity.

Located near Los Angeles, California, Pomona College is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges. Established in 1887, Pomona College is known for its small classes, challenging curriculum, close relationships between students and faculty, and a range of student research and leadership opportunities.

Pomona is a member of The Claremont Colleges.

Pomona College employees enjoy excellent benefits and perks and work in a diverse environment of equal opportunity, intellectual development and personal growth.