Commissary Cook II

Montana State University; Bozeman, Northern (MT, KY); Hybrid; USD 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University’s Culinary Services is hiring a Cook II to work in the commissary kitchen, producing high-volume batches and adhering to recipes and safety standards.

The role requires leadership of a shift, training student staff, maintaining quality and accurate records, and collaborating with a team to serve campus dining operations.

Shift: Sunday-Thursday 8am-4:30pm; hourly, non-exempt; MSU supports equal opportunity employment.

Qualifications

• Experience cooking in a high volume restaurant or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience leading and training staff.
• Experience providing excellent customer service.

Responsibilities

• Cook in commissary kitchen to produce high-volume batches per recipes and SOPs.
• Lead a shift and provide direction/training for students and temporary staff.
• Ensure quality product with proper portion control for packaging.
• Maintain sanitation per FDA codes and MSU policies.
• Assist with inventory, waste control, and record-keeping at station.
• Develop and test recipes seasonally and adapt to requests.
• Perform general kitchen duties and assist during high-volume periods.
• Contribute to team effort and support department mission.

Skills

High-volume cooking

Leadership/training

Customer service

Communication skills

Education

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Inventory control

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

MSU's Culinary Services hires motivated team members who are excited to actively participate in the ever changing world of the high-paced food industry.

Position Number

Position Number 4N3519

Department

Department Salad Productions

Division

Division Auxiliary Services

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Classified

Contract Term

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA

FLSA Non-Exempt

Union Affiliation

Union Affiliation Teamsters

FTE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary $25.10 per hour

Contract Type

Contract Type Classified Hourly

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement Culinary Services Division ( CSD ), a division of Auxiliary Services, provides meals and specialty beverages for over 18,000 customers daily and is an integral part of campus life and the overall college experience. CSD proudly provides Montana State University students with not only a repertoire of various cuisines, cooking styles, and flavors, but a comfortable atmosphere to meet friends, study, and simply relax. The division is comprised of 2 residential dining halls, a commissary kitchen, several retail operations including 4 coffee shops, Chick-fil-A, the Union Market and Bobcat Grill, Brick Breeden Fieldhouse and Bobcat Stadium Concessions, Fork in the Road food truck, MSU Catering, Indulge In-House Bakery/Commissary Kitchen, and the Farm to Campus Program.

Duties and Responsibilities

As directed, the Cook II primarily works in the commissary kitchen to produce high volume batches of fresh produce and menu production ingredients.

• Skillfully works prepare, cook, and package high volume product in accordance with standard operating procedures. Follows recipes.
• Assists with leading a shift of employees. Provides direction and training for students and temporary staff.
• Assists with executing production to ensure quality product is being produced in an appealing manner while following portion control guidelines for packaging.
• Properly follows sanitation guidelines and handles food in accordance with FDA food codes and as directed by MSU’s Registered Sanitarian. Ensures sanitation guidelines are being followed at their station.
• Regularly assists with the cleaning, disposition and storage of foods (hot and cold), supplies, and equipment in accordance with the sanitarian’s recommendations. May assist with assigning tasks.
• Assists with developing and testing recipes at various times of year.
• Assists with maintaining inventory, controlling food and waste costs at their station, and maintaining records per the standard operating procedures.
• Performs other general kitchen duties and is trained in other areas of the food service to assist during employee absences or high volume serving.
• Actively contributes to the team by performing other duties as needed in support of the department’s mission.

Everyone is welcome to apply/interview for this position but the Culinary Services Department lacks the necessary funding to provide sponsorship at this time.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience cooking in a high volume restaurant and/or cooking multiple cuisines or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Basic experience leading and/or training staff.
• Experience providing excellent customer service.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience with inventory control.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Exhibit interest in the culinary arts and exercise critically good judgment concerning taste and aesthetics of food quality
• Work effectively and efficiently in close cooperation with CS staff in a team-oriented environment with the ultimate goal of providing excellent customer service
• Work well individually or on a team
• Exhibit strong communication skills both verbally and in writing
• Consistently exercise initiative and good judgment
• Exhibit excellent attention to detail and accurate record keeping skills
• Prioritize and organize workload in order to complete tasks in a timely manner
• Quickly adapt to changing priorities
• Represent the department and the University to others in a professional and courteous manner

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

• Shift available ais: Sunday-Thursday from 8am-4:30pm.
• May be asked to work days/evenings, weekends, long hours, consecutive days during busy periods, and occasional holidays as the school and event schedule demands.
• Occasional work outside and in inclement weather assisting with special events.
• Possess a 4-hour sanitation certification or have the ability to become certified
• Must have the ability to understand and communicate in English with adequate proficiency to follow directions from supervisor, read and understand safety guidelines and directions to prevent accidents or injuries from occurring, and communicate effectively with customers (staff, visitors, students) by listening and speaking clearly to them.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Normal service areas, kitchen, cooler, freezer, dock environments
• Stationary and/or moving about for long periods of time
• Frequently moving, transporting, and placing containers/product weighing up to 50 lbs and occasionally up to 100lbs
• Occasionally moving product up and down stairs
• Bending, kneeling, stretching and general moving about while stocking products
• Gripping handles on small kitchen utensils and other equipment
• Performing repetitive motions related to job duties
• Regular exposure to cleaning chemicals

This position has supervisory duties? No

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on September 28th, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Supplemental Questions

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