Overview

Under the direction of the Arboretum Culinary Lead, the Executive Chef collaborates with the Arboretum Dining/Food Services team to develop, create, test, and implement menus, offerings, and culinary programming. Serves as the Lead Manager of the Main Production Kitchen.

The Executive Chef is responsible for the day-to-day management of kitchen personnel and culinary activities in the Arboretum kitchens. The Main Kitchen's work consists of scratch, bulk production, produce preparation, bakery, catering, and grab-and-go items. This position provides oversight of recipe development and programming, consistency in production, quality, safety, and sanitation, and ensures that cost controls are in place and met. The Executive Chef also provides daily supervision, coaching, performance management, employee training, and employee retention of Dining/Food Services staff.

The Executive Chef supports the organizational mission, in the following areas: food and ingredient specifications, production consistency, training programs, retail services, catering, and dining. Assists with long and short-term planning. Enforces objectives, policies, standards, and procedures of the Arboretum kitchens. Contributes to a positive, customer experience focused and harmonious work environment.

This position oversees the Sous Chef as well as indirect supervision of Cooks & Food Service Workers, part-time students, and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities

50% Main Production Operational Excellence
-Ensures compliance with Food Safety audits
-Observe and coach staff to ensure quality standards are being met
-Plans, identifies, communicates, and delegates appropriate responsibilities and practices to team members to ensure a smooth flow of operations
-Creates efficiencies in production and service areas. Makes recommendations for equipment purchases
-Organizes, directs, and controls food preparation and service in a dining services operation which may include more than one unit. This includes food handling, portion sizes, and overall serving and presentation of food. Inspects food for taste, appearance, and consistency.
-Inspects and ensures routine maintenance is performed. Communicates the need for maintenance or repairs of all supplies, and equipment in work areas
-Audits, trains, coaches, and ensures that the team complies with health and food safety standards and regulations.
-Supervises and/or ensures the completion of proactive and responsive food ordering, receiving, waste reduction, and product management


40% Team Management
-Collaborates well with other managers, departments, and partners at the Arboretum. Listens and communicates well and models warm professionalism to their team.
-Demonstrates a calm demeanor during periods of high volume or unusual events and manages smooth transitions thereafter to keep the unit operating to standard and to set a positive example for the operation.
-Sets goals for the workgroup, develops organizational capability, and models how we work together.
-Supports the Sous Chef in interviewing, hiring, training, supervising, performance management, coaching, directing the work of other employees, and evaluating employees engaged in cooking, food preparation, or service work.
-Partners with the Sous Chef to schedule staff hours and assign duties.
-Reinforces, coaches, and performance manages standards for personnel performance and guest service. Adjusts employee disputes within University policies and under prevailing contracts as applicable.

10% Financial/Business Analysis
-Oversees accurate monthly inventories for areas under purview
-Utilizes management information tools and analyzes financial reports to identify and address trends and issues in unit performance
-Report costs, understands budget, respond to budgetary directives
-Provides oversight of the food budget and makes necessary adjustments in response to volume and price fluctuations consistent with attaining unit goals

Any of the assigned duties may take place at various dining locations across the Arboretum campus (i.e. Farm at the Arb, Oswald Visitor Center, etc.). Regular attendance is an essential qualification for this position

Starting Salary Range (minimum to midpoint): $28.26/hr ($58,780yr) - $37.44/hr ($77,875/yr)

Required Qualifications (must be mentioned on application/resume):
-BA/BS degree, plus at least five years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least nine years.
-Advanced knowledge of the following: food preparation, scratch cooking, culinary trends, vegetarian, vegan, and special dietary needs, allergy awareness, and sanitation regulations.
-Experience in personnel management including hiring, supervision, evaluation, and succession planning.
-Experience in progressively responsible leadership in a large volume non-commercial food service, convention, or hotel in a management capacity.
-Advanced verbal and written communication skills, active listening, dynamic flexibility, critical thinking, and ability to multitask.
-Proficiency in basic computer applications (Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Word & Excel)

Behavioral Competencies:
-Ability to lead by example
-Willingness and ability to assist in other Eatery roles as needed (e.g. Sous Chef, Cook, etc.).
-Maintains positive and transparent relationships with all partners.
-Builds relationships and fosters collaboration with strategic partners on campus, in industry, and fellow colleges and universities
-Models teamwork, collaboration, and positive relationships with all colleagues, departments, vendors, partners, and guests


Preferred Qualifications:
-Experience working with labor-represented work groups.
-Demonstrated knowledge of production requirements, human resources and fiscal management
-Familiarity with Food Service Software
-ServeSafe certificate
-HACCP certificate

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Please visit the for more information regarding benefits.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U:

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).