Sous Chef/Manager

Washington State University; Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Tuition waiver

Training and development

Job summary

Washington State University seeks a Sous Chef/Manager for Student Affairs in Pullman, WA. You will supervise diverse staff, develop and oversee culinary programs, and ensure high standards of food safety and quality across Dining Services.

The role supports budget development, ingredient specs, and training initiatives, with weekends required as needed. A comprehensive benefits package accompanies this full-time position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant administration, institutional management, business administration or closely related field with two years supervisory/management experience including planning and budgeting.
• Experience in culinary operations and multi-unit food service management; knowledge of menu management, cost controls, and training.

Responsibilities

• Assist Chef de Cuisine in developing, testing, and managing culinary programs.
• Supervise cook leads, food service worker leads, student employees, and temporary staff.
• Support budgeting, cost controls, menus, and ingredient specifications; ensure food safety and sanitation.

Skills

Supervision

Budgeting

Food safety

Strong written communication

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in hotel/restaurant administration

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Catering management system

Food production software

Spreadsheets/Word processing

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on: September 27, 2026. If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s): 1246-YN_ADMINPRO - Food Service Associate Manager Business Title: Sous Chef/Manager Employee Type: Admin.

Professional Position Details

The Opportunity: As the Sous Chef/Manager for Student Affairs, you will work under the general direction of the Chef de Cuisine to help develop, test, implement, and manage culinary programs within the dining facility. You will supervise cook leads, food service worker leads, student employees, and temporary staff while ensuring high culinary standards, quality control, food safety, sanitation, and training throughout Northside Café operations. In this role, you will support sound fiscal management by assisting with the development of the annual operating budget and monitoring food and labor costs. You will contribute to the success of Dining Services by supporting food and ingredient specifications, training initiatives, retail dining operations, catering services, and residential dining programs. You will also assist with both short- and long-term planning, help enforce Dining Services objectives, policies, standards, and procedures, and foster a positive, collaborative, and inclusive work environment. In the absence of the Chef de Cuisine, you will provide leadership and support to ensure the efficient operation of all dining facility functions.

To support WSU's ability to attract talent in a competitive job market, this recruitment has been approved for a hiring incentive payment of up to $3,000.00. More information regarding the hiring incentive payment program can be located on the HRS website: Hiring Incentive – Human Resource Services, Washington State University (wsu.edu).

Additional Information

This is a full time (100% FTE), permanent position. Overtime eligibility will be determined based on final salary placement.

Monthly Salary: $4,508.70 - $6,763.06 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits

• paid sick and vacation leave
• paid holidays
• medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents
• retirement
• deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts
• training and development
• employee tuition waiver

For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant administration, institutional management, business administration or closely related field and two (2) years of supervisory/management experience which included planning and budgeting.
• Additional qualifying food service work experience and/or vocational training in quantity food preparation may be substituted, year-for-year, for college education.
• Experience in culinary operations, including responsibility for multi-unit food service operations, development of culinary programs for multi-unit operations that reflect culinary depth and breadth in concept development, facility development, equipment specification, recipe development, menu management, food and labor cost controls, plating and presentation, or equivalent education/experience.
• General computer knowledge.
• Demonstrated work experience of successful supervision and training of a diverse work staff.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Must be ServSafe certified.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a Food Handler’s Permit within 14 days of employment.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule; weekends will be required as business dictates.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Culinary Arts, Hotel and Restaurant Management or an Executive Chef certification from a accredited culinary institution.
• Experience in university culinary operations, including responsibility for multi-unit food service operations, development of culinary programs for multi-unit operations that reflect culinary depth and breadth in concept development, facility development, equipment specification, recipe development, menu management, food and labor cost controls, plating and presentation.
• Experience managing a central food production/commissary facility providing finished bakery and deli products for multiple operations.
• Experience in a management position with direct responsibility for development of culinary programs and food cost in a large scale catering operation with multiple catering locations.
• Experience using a catering management system.
• Experience using food production software to manage recipe and menu development, food costs, forecast menus, food purchases and inventory.
• Experience using food production software to manage recipe and menu development, food costs, forecast menus, food purchases and inventory is highly preferred.
• Experience with sustainable food procurement and production.
• Experience managing bargaining unit covered employees.
• HACCP certification.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility

Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

Location

Pullman, WA

Background Check

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type

Full time

Position Term

12 Month

Equal Opportunity Statement

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities. WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [e-mail].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract. Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU's Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights, or both. More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/

Additional Information about WSU

WSU is Washington's land-grant university with campuses located in Everett, Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver. Additionally, research centers are located throughout the state, extension offices are located in every county in Washington, and online degree programs are offered worldwide. WSU employees promote academic excellence and innovative research that serves the state, nation, and world. With a focus on innovation, excellence, and accountability, continual enhancement of research and educational endeavors are at the core of WSU's strategic priorities. See here for additional information about WSU's statewide locations. View the HRS Benefits website for details on competitive benefits available.