Senior Campus Sous Chef

Compass Group USA; City of Schenectady (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Bon Appetit at Union College in Schenectady, NY is seeking a Senior Campus Sous Chef to shape daily dining for students, faculty, staff and guests. You will partner with the Executive Chef to lead culinary operations across residential dining and campus events, upholding high standards of quality and hospitality.

This hands-on role emphasizes mentoring teams, driving menu innovation, scratch cooking, and cost-conscious operations in a fast-paced campus setting.

Qualifications

• Experience in culinary leadership within higher education or high-volume foodservice.
• ServSafe certification or ability to obtain certification.
• Experience with scratch cooking and large-scale food preparation.
• Culinary degree or equivalent professional culinary experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily culinary operations, ensuring quality, execution, and presentation across dining venues.
• Lead, coach and develop culinary team members, fostering a collaborative kitchen culture.
• Assist with menu planning and recipe development using seasonal ingredients and wellness options.
• Oversee food preparation and production for consistency, portioning and efficiency.
• Support catering and special events, delivering exceptional hospitality.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and workplace safety standards.

Job description

Salary: $85,000 - $90,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Comprehensive Benefit Plan

Our Passion is Food!

At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary

As the Senior Campus Sous Chef at Union College, you will play an integral role in shaping the daily dining experience for students, faculty, staff, and guests. Partnering closely with the Executive Chef, you will help lead culinary operations across residential dining and campus events, ensuring high standards of food quality, hospitality, and operational excellence.

This role is ideal for a hands-on culinary professional who enjoys mentoring teams, supporting innovation, and creating memorable dining experiences in a fast-paced, community-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Executive Chef in overseeing daily culinary operations, ensuring consistent quality, execution, and presentation across dining venues.
• Lead, coach, and develop culinary team members while fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and positive kitchen culture.
• Assist with menu planning and recipe development, incorporating seasonal ingredients, wellness-focused options, and operational best practices.
• Oversee food preparation and production to ensure consistency, quality standards, proper portioning, and efficient execution.
• Support catering and special events, helping deliver exceptional hospitality experiences across campus.
• Assist with inventory management, purchasing, product utilization, and cost-conscious operations to support financial goals.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and workplace safety standards.
• Collaborate with campus partners and dining leadership to continuously enhance the guest experience and respond to feedback.
• Serve as a key operational leader in the absence of the Executive Chef, helping maintain smooth and efficient day-to-day operations.

What We're Looking For

• Experience in a culinary leadership role within higher education, hospitality, restaurant, catering, or other high-volume foodservice environments.
• Passion for preparing high-quality food and delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Ability to lead and develop teams in a collaborative and fast-paced setting.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, inventory management, and cost-control practices.
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Interest in culinary innovation, sustainability, and evolving dining trends.
• Culinary degree, certificate, apprenticeship, or equivalent professional culinary experience.
• Experience with scratch cooking, batch production, and large-scale food preparation.
• Experience supporting catering, banquet, or special event operations.
• ServSafe certification or the ability to obtain certification.

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA.

Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story

Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits.

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance/ AD
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

https://www.compass-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf

Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act.

Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace.

Bon Appetit

Michael Abbey