Head Chef - Catering

Georgia Southern University; Statesboro (GA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Southern University is seeking a Head Chef - Catering for the Statesboro Campus. You will lead all culinary operations for campus catering, events, and premium athletics hospitality, ensuring high-quality food and service.

The role oversees menu development, inventory management, and production planning while guiding a team of culinary staff to deliver exceptional catering experiences for the campus community.

Qualifications

• Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Administration or Culinary Management with 4 years of experience or a high school diploma/GED with 5 years of work‑related experience in a high‑volume operation, including 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in food service, banquets, hospitality, or event management

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations for university catering, premium football suite and cabana hospitality, athletic meals, and the events.
• Collaborate with event planners and clients to develop customized menus and execute catered events from planning through service.
• Manage catering inventory, purchasing, receiving, production planning, and food cost controls to maximize efficiency and minimize waste.
• Serve as the lead chef during high-profile campus and athletic events, overseeing production timelines, staffing, and operational excellence.
• Utilize university-approved technology for menu planning, forecasting, recipe management, ordering, inventory control, and continuous improvement of catering operations.
• Supervise, schedule, train, and mentor catering culinary staff while maintaining high standards for food safety, sanitation, and customer service

Skills

Effective communication

Leadership

Team management

Computer skills

Education

Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Administration or Culinary Management

High school diploma/GED with 5 years experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Apps

Job description

Head Chef - Catering

Job ID: 304593

Location: Statesboro, Georgia

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Georgia Southern University is the state's largest and mostcomprehensive center of higher learning south of Atlanta, and oneof the most dynamic public universities in the Southeast.

Founded in 1906, Georgia Southern has grown from asingle-purpose college into a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution with149 degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctorallevels, serving 31,600 students from all 50 states, WashingtonD.C., Puerto Rico and more than 100 nations.

Four distinct campuses extend Georgia Southern's reach across the region: a 900-acre quintessential college campus in Statesboro, anchored by Georgian-style red-brick buildings set among oaks and pines; the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, minutes from historic downtown and a short drive from the beaches of Tybee Island; a modern, purpose-built facility in Hinesville serving local andmilitary-affiliated students; and the East Georgia Campus in Swainsboro, an outdoor oasis nestled on a 385-acre pine forest, offering expanded pathways to higher education for students across southeast Georgia.

Through ten colleges, the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, the College of Arts and Humanities, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the College of Education, the College of Science and Mathematics, the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies, the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, the Parker College of Business, the Waters College of Health Professions and University College, Georgia Southerndelivers academic programs backed by real-world experience, research with regional and national impact, and a faculty committedto helping every student go further than they thought possible.

Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and holding specialized accreditation acrossits professional programs, Georgia Southern prepares graduates whoare ready to lead, contribute and soar beyond, in Georgia, acrossthe nation and around the world.

For more information, visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.

Location

Statesboro Campus - Statesboro, GA

Department Information

Food Catering Service

Job Summary

The Head Chef - Catering for the Statesboro Campus supports theGeneral Manager of Catering in leading all culinary operations forcampus catering services. This position oversees the planning,preparation, and execution of high-quality food production forevents of all sizes, supervises culinary staff, and ensuresexceptional standards for food quality, presentation, sanitation,and customer service. The Head Chef is responsible for maintainingefficient kitchen operations, supporting menu development, managing production and inventory, and fostering a culture of teamwork,innovation, and excellence while delivering memorable cateringexperiences for the campus community and its guests.

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations for university catering, premiumfootball suite and cabana hospitality, athletic meals, and specialevents, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, and execution
• Collaborate with event planners and clients to develop customized menus and successfully execute catered events fromplanning through service
• Manage catering inventory, purchasing, receiving, productionplanning, and food cost controls to maximize efficiency and minimize waste
• Serve as the lead chef during high-profile campus and athleticevents, overseeing production timelines, staffing, and operationalexcellence
• Utilize university-approved technology for menu planning,forecasting, recipe management, ordering, inventory control, andcontinuous improvement of catering operations
• Supervise, schedule, train, and mentor catering culinary staffwhile maintaining high standards for food safety, sanitation, andcustomer service

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

• Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Administration or CulinaryManagement and 4 years of experience OR a high school diploma/GEDwith 5 years of work‑related experience in a high-volume operation,including 2 years of supervisory experience
• Experience in food service, banquets, hospitality, or event management

Required Experience

• Experience in food service, banquets, hospitality, or event management

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced certifications (e.g., ServSafe, ACF Certified Chef de Cuisine, or equivalent)

Preferred Educational Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or a related field

Preferred Experience

• Formal culinary apprenticeship or completion of an accredited culinary training program
• 5+ years of progressive experience in culinary operations, withatleast 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role

Proposed Salary

$22.36 - $25.16 per hour

This is a non-exempt position paid on a biweeklybasis.

Required Documents to Attach

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Two (2) Professional References

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

• Consistently exhibit engaging customer service
• Ability to support various constituencies served by theUniversity
• Proven proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office,Google, and/or applications as required for specificposition
• Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solvingabilities

KNOWLEDGE

• Adhere to University policies and procedures to meetInstitutional goals and support University's mission for student success

SKILLS

• Effective communication (verbal and written), organizationaland human relations skills
• Strong leadership and team management skills

Apply Before Date

November 18, 2026

Application review may begin as early as October 12, 2026.

Contact Information

For more information or questions about a job posting, please contact the Department of Human Resources by phone at [phone] or by email at [e-mail].

For technical support, please call the USG Service Desk at [phone], or email [e-mail].

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence,Accountability, and Respect.These values serve as thefoundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USGcommunity member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards.More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Georgia Southern University, as determined by Georgia Southern University in itssole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employmenthistory reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre‑employment drug test.

Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Legally authorized to work in the United States for the durationof employment without assistance from the University.

Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.

Georgia Southern University is a Tobacco and Smoke-Free Community.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Georgia Southern University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. Individuals in need of reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in the search process should notify Human Resources: [phone].

Other Information

• Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation
• Work generally performed in an office environment
• Workweek may occasionally extend beyond 40 hours
• Travel may be required

Background Check

• Standard + Education & DMV