Culinary Lab Specialist

CHESS; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Central New Mexico Community College is seeking a Culinary and/or Beverage Operations Specialist to support day-to-day lab operations for culinary and beverage programs. The role focuses on keeping labs ready for instruction and events, creating SOPs, and maintaining compliance records.

A proactive, detail-oriented approach is essential to enhance department performance across CNM. The position involves assisting faculty, managing lab equipment and inventory, and facilitating demonstrations

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree and two years of related experience, or a high school diploma or equivalent with four years of related experience.
• Degrees in Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry, Brewing & Beverage Management, or related field are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates, sets up, runs, and cleans labs for courses and events in compliance with OSHA, HACCP, and FDA regulations.
• Assists in monitoring compliance with fire and safety regulations of labs and equipment.
• Operates culinary and beverage equipment during demonstrations and serves as a student orientation role.
• Manages inventory including ordering, receiving, and FIFO-based inventory control with vendors.

Skills

Attention to detail

Proactive problem solving

Safety compliance awareness

Documentation

Education

Associate’s degree

Two years related experience

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Four years related experience

Job description

Compensation:

$20.48 - $25.63

CompensationType:

Hourly

Employment Type:

Regular

Grade:

NE05

Position Summary

The Culinary and/or Beverage Operations Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day support of Culinary and/or Beverage labs to ensure labs are set up and maintained for course instruction and program events. The specialist will provide overall support to achieve optimal performance across the program, including the creation of standard operating procedures, maintaining compliance records, and related documents. This position requires strong attention to detail and a proactive, solution-oriented mindset, focusing on continual operational improvement to ensure successful performance of the department’s business across the CNM organization.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinates, sets up, runs, and cleans labs for credit and non-credit courses and events, ensuring safe, clean, and secure labs and equipment in compliance with OSHA, HACCP, and FDA regulations.
• Assists in monitoring compliance with fire and safety regulations of labs and equipment.
• Assists faculty with course evaluations and laboratory exercises.
• Operates culinary and beverage equipment during demonstrations, including preparation and replenishing between demonstrations, and serves as a standardized customer experience role and student orientation.
• Sets up and cleans equipment for demonstrations and classes, and performs basic preventative maintenance for culinary and beverage equipment.
• Administers Lab Space utilization, including creating user groups and program events.
• Provides professional development and training to faculty and staff in using culinary and beverage equipment.
• Manages inventory, including ordering, receiving, and inventory of supplies using FIFO procedures, and maintains ongoing communication with vendors.
• Conducts tours of Culinary, Baking, and Beverage labs to aid in student recruitment and participates in Community Outreach events, including demonstrations and hands‑on learning activities.
• Submits work orders and supports maintaining labs and related equipment to ensure safe and effective operational conditions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Associate’s degree

AND

Two (2) years of related experience

OR

• High School Diploma or Equivalent

AND

• Four (4) years of related experience
• Degrees in Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry, Brewing & Beverage Management, or related field are preferred

Preferences:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field from an accredited institution.
• 5 years of industry experience in Baking, Pastry, Culinary, or Entrepreneurship
• Previous teaching experience in a related field.
• American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certification

Best Consideration Date: September 8, 2026

Close Posting: September 18, 2026

School of Business Hospitality & Technology (BHT), Culinary Arts

EEO STATEMENT:

As an EEO employer, Central New Mexico Community College will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, serious medical condition or status as a protected veteran or spousal affiliation. Central New Mexico Community College hires only U.S. citizens and individuals lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.