Lead Cook - OPEN POOL

Colorado State University; Fort Collins (CO); In loco; USD 44.000 - 48.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Colorado State University’s Residential Dining Services seeks a Lead Cook to act as a working leader in a high-volume kitchen. You will prepare meals from menus and standardized recipes, supervise daily operations, and ensure food safety, quality, and timely service.

You will coach and train culinary staff, assist with procurement and inventory, monitor HACCP compliance, and support menu management. A ServSafe Certification is required within six months, and pre-employment checks apply.

Competenze

• Minimum one year of experience in a foodservice or retail operation.
• Must obtain ServSafe Food Manager Certification within six months of hire.
• Supervisory or lead experience in a kitchen environment is preferred.

Mansioni

• Lead daily culinary operations with menus and recipes, ensuring quality and timely service.
• Train and coach staff; assign tasks and support a customer-focused work environment.
• Maintain food safety and sanitation, including HACCP compliance and temperature logs.
• Manage food handling, storage, rotation, and inventory documentation.
• Support procurement and inventory by monitoring stock and preparing items for demand.
• Oversee opening/closing and equipment readiness.

Conoscenze

Staff supervision

Staff training

Food safety knowledge

Customer service

HACCP compliance

Strumenti

ServSafe Certification

Descrizione del lavoro

Position Summary

The Lead Cook serves as a working leader within a designated area of the foodservice operation, ensuring high standards of food quality, safety, and customer service. This role actively prepares meals according to established menus and guidelines while organizing kitchen operations to keep staff informed, prepared, and operating efficiently. The Lead Cook upholds food safety and cleanliness standards, supports ordering and inventory processes, and assists with menu management systems. Additionally, the position provides indirect supervision, coaching, training, and scheduling support to culinary staff to promote strong performance and teamwork.

Department Information

Residential Dining Services' (RDS) mission is to deliver an outstanding dining experience crafted by an engaged team dedicated to social and environmental responsibility. RDS operates 5 dining centers, 2 convenience stores, a full bakeshop, and a warehouse. We employee more than 1,000 employees who serve 12,000 meals per day to the 6,000 students who live on campus.

Application Deadline

May 31, 2027. Vacant positions will be filled based on operational needs.

Salary Range

$43,896 - $48,286

Essential Job Duties

• Lead daily culinary operations by preparing meals from menus and standardized recipes, ensuring quality, consistency, and timely service.
• Serve as work leader: assign tasks, train staff, and support a customer-focused work environment.
• Maintain and monitor food safety, sanitation, and HACCP compliance, including temperature logs and hazard identification.
• Manage food handling, storage, and documentation, ensuring proper rotation, inventory accuracy, and system usage.
• Support procurement and inventory processes by monitoring stock levels and preparing items for future demand.
• Oversee kitchen operations including opening/closing, equipment readiness, and production levels.
• Participate in required training, certifications, and meetings; other duties as assigned.

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for all new hires)
• Pre-employment Physical: Successfully complete the WorkSTEPS evaluation.
• Essential Services Designation - Required to report without delay or interruption to provide essential or emergency services to ensure health, safety, and welfare.

Shift Work

This position may require to work extended shift hours and/or a modified swing shift to meet departmental staffing requirements.

Special Requirements / Other

Must obtain the ServSafe Food Manager Certification within six months of hire and maintain it throughout employment.

Supervision

Can supervise Cooks, Foodservice Workers, Temporary Hourly Employees, and Student Employees in a defined work area.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum Years of Experience and/or Skills: One (1) year experience in a foodservice or retail operation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Work experience in a high-volume food production operation.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple activities and tasks with competing priorities.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and verbal communication skills necessary for building and maintaining successful work relationships.
• Demonstrated experience providing memorable customer service interactions with customers and colleagues.
• Food safety certification such as ServSafe.

Search Contact

Anthony King; [e-mail]; 970-491-4703 Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it is a thriving community that is transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO Statement

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Inspired by its land-grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.

Current Employees

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