Sous Chef

University of Texas; United States; On-site; USD 47,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Free bus rides

Retirement contributions

Paid vacation

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a dedicated Sous Chef to support daily culinary operations in a high-volume university residential or retail dining facility. Under the guidance of the General Manager, Assistant Manager, or Chef Manager, you will lead food production, ensure culinary excellence, and uphold UHD standards for quality, safety, and sanitation.

You will mentor kitchen staff, support menu execution, and contribute to a positive, team-centered kitchen culture while ensuring

Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED.
• Two years of cooking experience in a restaurant, commercial, or institutional facility.
• One year of kitchen supervisory experience in food service or a similar capacity.
• Experience following recipes.
• Experience with operating standard cooking equipment.
• Ability to complete and maintain Food Safety Training required by University Housing and Dining.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily kitchen operations to ensure consistent food quality, timely production, and adherence to established recipes and portion guidelines.
• Serve as the shift lead in the kitchen, coordinating food preparation, managing production schedules, and adjusting in real time to meet service needs.
• Ensure that all culinary staff follow local, state, and UHD food safety and sanitation policies.
• Monitor kitchen organization, equipment usage, and cleanliness to support a safe, functional work environment.
• Utilize the FoodPro system for forecasting, ordering, production planning, inventory management, and food cost evaluation.
• Maintain accuracy and accountability in system inputs to support operational efficiency and cost control.
• Supervise cooks, food service workers, and other kitchen staff during assigned shifts.
• Offer real-time coaching and guidance to ensure consistency in technique, efficiency, and presentation.
• Participate and support recruitment efforts for dining staff in collaboration with UHD HR.
• Assist in onboarding and training new team members, reinforcing proper food handling procedures and kitchen safety.
• Help monitor daily performance and support staff accountability while fostering a respectful and productive kitchen environment.
• Conduct performance reviews, track training progress, and support staff development.
• Set clear expectations for conduct, service, and safety, and model the standards expected from all team members.
• Address performance concerns promptly and professionally, issuing corrective actions when necessary in alignment with UHD HR policies.
• Support the execution of planned menus, ensuring food is fresh, well-prepared, and attractively presented.
• Collaborate with the culinary leadership to maintain quality standards and implement seasonal or special event menus.
• Provide feedback on recipes and contribute to continuous improvement in flavor, presentation, and efficiency.
• Monitor product freshness and proper rotation.
• Ensure clear communication between kitchen and service teams to maintain timely meal service.
• Relay shift updates, product shortages, or operational issues to managers and peers.
• Help maintain up-to-date production records and support compliance with food safety logs and kitchen documentation.
• Represent UHD values through respectful communication and teamwork with staff, students, and guests.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Cooking experience

Kitchen supervisory

Following recipes

Operating cooking equipment

Food safety training

Staff coaching

Education

High school graduation or GED

Culinary Degree

Tools

FoodPro

Microsoft Office

Job description

Sous Chef – University Housing and Dining

Job Posting Title: Sous Chef ---- Hiring Department: University Housing and Dining ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: To Be Determined at Offer ---- Earliest Start Date: Ongoing ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue ---- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details: General Notes

Benefits: UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage
• Free Capital Metro bus rides
• Retirement contributions
• Longevity Pay
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Career growth & professional development

Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website at https://hr.utexas.edu/ to learn more about the total benefits offered when you join our team!

Purpose

The Sous Chef supports daily culinary operations in a high-volume university residential or retail dining facility. Under the direction of the General Manager, Assistant Manager, or Chef Manager, this position helps lead food production, ensures culinary excellence, and University Housing and Dining (UHD) standards for quality, safety, and sanitation. The Sous Chef provides leadership for kitchen staff, supports menu execution, and contributes to a positive, team-centered kitchen culture.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily kitchen operations to ensure consistent food quality, timely production, and adherence to established recipes and portion guidelines.
• Serve as the shift lead in the kitchen, coordinating food preparation, managing production schedules, and adjusting in real time to meet service needs.
• Ensure that all culinary staff follow local, state, and UHD food safety and sanitation policies.
• Monitor kitchen organization, equipment usage, and cleanliness to support a safe, functional work environment.
• Utilize the departmental food production system (FoodPro) for forecasting, ordering, production planning, inventory management, and food cost evaluation, as directed.
• Maintain accuracy and accountability in system inputs to support operational efficiency and cost control.
• Supervise cooks, food service workers, and other kitchen staff during assigned shifts.
• Offer real-time coaching and guidance to ensure consistency in technique, efficiency, and presentation.
• Participate and support recruitment efforts for dining staff in collaboration with UHD HR.
• Assist in onboarding and training new team members, reinforcing proper food handling procedures and kitchen safety
• Help monitor daily performance and support staff accountability while fostering a respectful and productive kitchen environment.
• Conduct performance reviews, track training progress, and support staff development.
• Set clear expectations for conduct, service, and safety, and model the standards expected from all team members.
• Address performance concerns promptly and professionally, issuing corrective actions when necessary in alignment with UHD HR policies.
• Support the execution of planned menus, ensuring food is fresh, well-prepared, and attractively presented.
• Collaborate with the culinary leadership to maintain quality standards and implement seasonal or special event menus.
• Provide feedback on recipes and contribute to continuous improvement in flavor, presentation, and efficiency.
• Monitor product freshness and proper rotation.
• Ensure clear communication between kitchen and service teams to maintain timely meal service.
• Relay shift updates, product shortages, or operational issues to managers and peers.
• Help maintain up-to-date production records and support compliance with food safety logs and kitchen documentation.
• Represent UHD values through respectful communication and teamwork with staff, students, and guests.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school graduation or GED.
• Two years of cooking experience in a restaurant, commercial, or institutional facility.
• One year of kitchen supervisory experience in food service or a similar capacity.
• Experience following recipes.
• Experience with operating standard cooking equipment.
• Ability to complete and maintain Food Safety Training required by University Housing and Dining.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Culinary Degree.
• Four or more years of cooking experience in a restaurant, commercial, or institutional facility.
• Three or more years of kitchen supervisory experience in food service or a similar capacity.
• Experience training, coaching, and evaluating staff in a high volume/fast-paced food service environment.
• Experience in recipe development and food presentation.
• Experience using Microsoft Office and computer systems.
• Professional demeanor and ability to work with a large customer base.

Salary Range

$52,500 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished).
• May work in all weather conditions.
• May work in extreme temperatures.
• May work around standard office conditions.
• May work around chemicals.
• Repetitive use of keyboard at a workstation.
• Use of manual dexterity.
• Climbing stairs.
• Climbing of ladders.
• Lifting and moving.

Work Shift

Work days, hours, and area may vary based upon the needs of the unit and University Housing and Dining.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Start Here, Change the World At The University of Texas at Austin, tradition meets innovation in the heart of a city that frequents lists of the best places to live and work. Named by Forbes as one of America’s Best Large Employers for the sixth year in a row in 2025, UT offers both a dynamic work environment and a gateway to vibrant local culture. Whether you’re at the forefront of the student experience, conducting world-changing research or supporting the engine that drives Texas’ flagship university, working at UT means making a lasting impact on our city, our state and our world. Our more than 20,000 faculty and staff empower 55,000+ students to challenge ideas, pursue passions and shape their futures. Joining UT, you’ll become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful impact on campus and throughout the world.

Looking for a student job? Please see our Student Employment site.

Comments and Inquiries: Email comments to [e-mail]. For questions or concerns regarding equal opportunity only, contact Equal Opportunity Services.

Additional information for applicants can be found on the Human Resources web page: Applying for Employment. For more job information, call the Human Resource Service Center at [phone], or toll-free at [phone].

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