Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Work Schedule
Standard Hours
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Professional Development
Employee Discounts
Paid holidays
Job Description
Vanderbilt Enterprises' Catering Department is an esteemed division dedicated to delivering top-tier culinary and hospitality services for Vanderbilt University. Known for its engagement with the campus community, the Catering Department upholds high standards of detail, creativity, and excellence, making it the preferred caterer for the Chancellor's office and various university events. With an average of 1400 events annually — ranging from continental breakfasts for a few attendees to gala dinners for one thousand — the department handles a diverse spectrum of events, including buffets, receptions, meeting breaks, boxed meals, and continental breakfasts. Approximately 20-25% of these events require custom menus,... Show More
Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in hotel or restaurant management or related field preferred
- Culinary arts degree preferred
- Proven cooking and culinary expertise
- Minimum of 5 years management experience in high volume kitchen preferred
- Strong communication skills including verbal, written, and interpersonal
- Ability to teach, coach, and mentor staff
- Knowledge of food safety and sanitation regulations
- Experience with offsite catering
- Ability to work under pressure in fast-paced environment
- Ability to manage and lead diverse teams
- Proficiency with computer software including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Strong organizational and multitasking skills
- Commitment to excellent customer service
- Understanding of collective bargaining agreements and union staff management
Job Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in hotel or restaurant management or related field preferred
- Culinary arts degree from accredited institution or qualifying apprenticeship preferred
- Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to teach, coach, mentor, and assess performance including disciplinary actions
- Comprehensive knowledge of culinary techniques for high-end catering, including vegetarian and vegan trends
- Strong time management, organizational, and multi-tasking capabilities with attention to detail
- Offsite catering, restaurant, or specialty event planning experience preferred
- Minimum of 5 years management experience in high volume production kitchen preferred
- Minimum of 5 years progressive supervisory experience preferred
- Off-premise catering experience required
- Assertive, professional, and positive leadership approach
- Ability to work independently while maintaining positive attitude in busy settings
- Demonstrated experience in planning and executing conferences and special events up to 500 attendees preferred
- Proficiency in Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint
Job Duties
- Be a hands-on, working chef
- Oversee kitchen activities including food preparation, presentation, portioning, organization, and sanitation
- Develop creative and inspired menus that are operationally executable, cost-effective, client appealing, and visually attractive
- Supervise and train staff in food preparation, presentation, food handling, kitchen sanitation, and safety
- Manage staff scheduling, coordinate and control work schedules following department policies
- Coordinate activities of multiple functions to unify and optimize operations
- Select and create recipes and cost out food to achieve profit margins
- Monitor inventory levels and reorder supplies as needed
- Oversee distribution of supplies, equipment, services to ensure availability
- Forecast annual kitchen budget and analyze profit and loss statements
- Coordinate and perform inventories
- Manage menu, recipe, ingredient, and event planning systems
- Maintain equipment and facility maintenance, and requisition services
- Participate in professional development and culinary associations
- Supervise union hourly staff and ensure compliance with collective bargaining contract
- Deliver exemplary customer service to enhance satisfaction and loyalty
- Research catering trends and recommend growth strategies
- Manage group or interpersonal conflicts and escalate appropriately
- Direct education, training, and professional development of staff
Job Qualifications
Experience
Expert Level (7+ years)
Job Location
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