Occidental College

Director, Culinary Services

Occidental College Los Angeles, CA

Title: Director, Culinary Services

Department: Hospitality

Duration: Indefinite

Job Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Hospitality, the Director of Culinary Operations directs the college's dining services to new levels of culinary distinction. This role involves strategic development and execution of inventive dining concepts across the campus in addition to directing oversight of menu innovation and culinary excellence in two dining venues and our catering services. The Director ensures the highest food quality standards, drives sustainability efforts, and champions an inclusive dining culture.

Job Duties

  • 20% - Strategic Development and Execution of Dining Concepts: Lead the innovation and implementation of dining concepts to elevate culinary excellence. - (Essential)
  • 20% - Oversight of Menu Innovation and Culinary Excellence: Directly manage menu development and maintain culinary standards across dining venues and catering services. - (Essential)
  • 15% - Compliance and Quality Assurance: Ensure adherence to all relevant regulations and uphold the highest food quality standards. - (Essential)
  • 10% - Sustainability and Inclusivity Initiatives: Drive efforts to promote environmental sustainability and a culture that embraces diverse dietary needs. - (Essential)
  • 10% - Cost Control and Resource Management: Oversee budget management, including food costs, labor, and other expenses, ensuring efficient use of resources. - (Essential)
  • 10% - Team Leadership and Professional Development: Guide the culinary team in daily operations and foster professional growth opportunities. - (Essential)
  • 5% - Collaboration with Catering and Event Customization: Partner with catering teams to design tailored events that meet client needs and boost sales. - (Essential)
  • 5% - Engagement and Talent Development: Actively engage with students and community; cultivate talent through partnerships and internship programs. - (Essential)
  • 5% - Innovation through Local and Sustainable Sourcing: Track culinary trends and source locally when possible to enhance the dining experience. - (Essential)

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, culinary/nutrition related operations, or fields of study related to position responsibilities, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Five years leading a large multi-concept culinary program. Ten years of progressively responsible chef duties in a high-volume environment. Comprehensive knowledge of nutrition, special diets (vegetarian/vegan, health-related), and the ability to manage food service technology for operational efficiency is crucial.
  • Familiarity with a wide range of cultural and regional cuisines, alongside comprehensive skills in upscale catered event execution.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google drives/folders/forms, Adobe Acrobat, Web Editing, and social media applications or any combination of productivity programs applicable to position responsibilities.
  • Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and thorough; skilled at anticipating and preventing potential problems and handling a wide variety of tasks with efficiency and accuracy.
  • Strong commitment to a quality work product.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, in writing and electronically. Effective interpersonal skills as evidenced in the ability to collaborate with a variety of constituencies.
  • Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, inclusion & diversity.
  • Demonstrated skill in adapting to and performing work effectively in high-volume, high accountability, confidential environment with multiple and changing priorities. Effective organizational, logistical, time management and planning skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks/projects simultaneously, prioritize and fulfill the functions of an office in a timely manner.
  • Ability to self-motivate and work independently. Ability to provide effective leadership and training, and to work effectively and professionally across functions, disciplines, levels, and with diverse groups.
  • Ability to analyze, synthesize and organize data, and present findings in a comprehensible manner for different audiences.
  • Knowledge of contemporary leadership and management methods to ensure employee success and achievement, and demonstration of related and applicable skills as evidenced by the ability to effectively direct, assess and evaluate performance of direct reports.
  • Ability to effectively design, define, describe and document job functions, responsibilities, tasks, and required qualifications associated with supervised positions, and the demonstrated skills in assessing candidates’ experience, knowledge, skills and abilities when hiring for vacant positions, ensuring the best choice of candidate.
  • Ability to provide employee development, training and opportunities for direct reports to demonstrate performance achievement and success; recognizing performance of both above standards and needs improvement and respond accordingly.
  • Skilled at communicating feedback verbally, in writing and electronically; and documenting performance via introductory and annual performance appraisals. Skilled in developing and determining corrective employment/performance/behavioral strategies, as needed.
  • Demonstrated ability to design and execute performance improvement plans, conducting disciplinary action and/or determining the appropriateness of employment continuation.

Preferred Qualifications

Culinary degree from accredited program. Seven years leading a large multi-concept culinary program with experience in higher education. Twelve years of progressively responsible chef duties in a high-volume environment. Experience in a unionized setting.

EXPECTED HIRING RANGE: $97,000 - $110,000/yr

If you are offered this position at Occidental College, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, experience, and/or geographic location. In addition to those factors, Occidental complies with applicable pay equity laws and considers internal equity among current employees when developing the final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a generous compensation and benefits package.

To see more about working at Oxy please visit our Life Page on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/school/occidental-college/life/7304fcc8-1084-4497-b7f1-6be0c49671cf/

  • Seniority level

    Director
  • Employment type

    Full-time
  • Job function

    Management and Manufacturing
  • Industries

    Higher Education

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