Executive Chef, UM Dining

Montana – The Last Best Place. Once known primarily for snow-topped mountains and world class fly-fishing, Missoula, Montana has become a hotbed for entrepreneurship and active and outdoor lifestyles, and boasts a vibrant local food scene. Missoula regularly tops “best places to live” lists and is a wonderful place to call home. The University of Montana campus, located in the heart of western Montana’s stunning natural landscape, attracts first-rate educators, researchers, professional staff, and students from around the world.

UM Dining (UMD) is an international award-winning, self-operated, collegiate foodservice department. Among other accomplishments, UMD has developed the very successful UM Farm to College Program, and has become a nationally recognized leader in sustainable business practices. Our creative chefs and culinary team have won numerous recipe contests and cooking competitions. As a staff member with UM Dining, you will receive the resources and encouragement to develop and excel professionally.

UM Dining is currently seeking candidates for an exceptional career opportunity. The Executive Chef provides culinary direction and leadership to a team of culinary professionals. UM Dining is comprised of a variety of food operations from a casual bistro to fine dining catering and includes residential dining and concessions.

The successful candidate will be a visionary leader who is proactive, creates a positive work environment, communicates effectively, promotes individual growth, and acts with integrity. The executive chef works directly with chefs in all operations and assists in the development of menus and strategic culinary directions for the team. The executive chef will develop and maintain effective working relationships with various campus departments including the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs, the University Center administration Office, and others.

Required Experience

The extensive experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for this position are typically acquired through completion of an associate’s degree in culinary arts or a bachelor’s degree in a hospitality or foodservice management program paired with commensurate culinary experience. This position requires a minimum of five (5) years of related and transferrable foodservice experience with fiscal and personnel responsibilities and a proven track record of innovation and refinement. Candidate must possess a minimum of three (3) years combined experience in fine dining and/or high volume foodservice. Leadership and management experience and training is required.

We are seeking a foodservice professional who has experience with:

Development of on-trend culinary options.

Menu development and production of high-quality food and dining experiences.

Upper-level management and supervision of staff.

Experience and interest in developing menus and recipes using local foods.

Creating, planning and executing special events for our VIPS and student guests.

Training and developing culinary professionals.

High-volume foodservice operations, including budget development and labor and food cost control.

Purchasing and inventory management of food, supplies, major and minor equipment, and capital improvement planning.

Analyzing standard foodservice documents, such as profit and loss statements, labor cost variance reports, meal plan and POS reports, and annual operating budgets.

Effectively communicating through written and verbal formats.

Microsoft Office Suite, time accounting software, point-of-sale devices, and computerized food management systems (CBORD, Computrition, Aurora, or similar).

Position Details

Position Title: Executive Chef

Position Number: 117400

Department: UM Dining

Closing Date: Applications received by May 21, 2017 will be guaranteed full consideration, and applications received after may be considered. Screening begins 5/22/2017. Open Until Filled.

Work Schedule: Full-time; 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week); Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; 12 months/year; occasionally work long hours, evenings, weekends, and some holidays which requires an alternative work schedule.

Salary: $28.36/hr – $30.05/hr ($58,988.88/yr – $62,504.00/yr) – Position is salaried and exempt from overtime. *Current employee’s rate of pay for this position will be determined by the staff compensation plan, and may be different from the posted salary. For questions and details regarding the staff compensation plan, email the Compensation Department .

Union Affiliation: none

Probationary Period: Six months minimum

Benefits Include : Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and professional development/wellness program.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment

In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran’s Preference

Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

References. *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.

Testing. Individual hiring departments at UM-M may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility . All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

Applications received by May 21, 2017 will be guaranteed full consideration, and applications received after may be considered. Screening begins 5/22/2017. Open Until Filled.

Applicants are required to submit the following materials online via “New Resume/CV” button below.

Required Materials:
Letter of interest – please address all stated experience required for the position.

Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience.

Three (3) professional references – Names and contact information

Word document with complete answers to the three supplemental questions listed below.

Please describe how your professional education, training, and work experience has prepared you for this executive chef position.

What is your experience with staff training and professional development?

Why are you interested in this position at this point in your career?

Need additional help? Check out our UM Jobs FAQ website.

Required Skills

Required Experience