Senior Executive Pastry Chef

Michigan Dining is a comprehensive dining service provider at the University of Michigan, encompassing nineteen on-campus cafes and markets, nine residential dining halls, the Michigan Bakeshop, and the Michigan Catering unit. With a team of 500 full-time and 1,300 student employees, Michigan Dining is dedicated to offering creative, healthy, and nutritious foods, featuring international cuisines and embracing sustainability in all aspects of its operations. This commitment ensures that the university community enjoys a diverse and high-quality dining experience throughout the academic year.

This role of Senior Executive Pastry Chef, formally titled Culinary Manager Senior, is vital within Michigan Dining’s structure, operating onsite at the Ann Arbor campus. The position reports directly to the Michigan Dining Culinary Director and plays a central leadership role in managing all operations within the Michigan Bakeshop. The key focus of the role is culinary excellence, with responsibility extending to training, recipe and menu development, and leadership of the Bakeshop team. As the overseer of both daily operations and strategic direction, the chef ensures the delivery of high-quality, made-from-scratch baked goods and services across multiple outlets, servicing a wide and diverse clientele.

The role does not only involve hands-on culinary work but also covers managerial responsibilities, including supervising bakers, food service workers, and kitchen cleaners. The Senior Executive Pastry Chef will lead the charge in menu and recipe innovation, collaborating with Campus Executive Chefs to standardize and elevate offerings, introducing new and seasonal items that reflect current dining trends and diverse culinary traditions. This requires staying abreast of industry developments, regional, international, and ethnic cuisines, and applying this knowledge to concept development that enriches the dining experience.

Financial stewardship is also part of this multifaceted role, including budget development, food cost monitoring, inventory management, and use of food production systems for purchasing and labor control. Maintaining compliance with all pertinent health, safety, and sanitation standards is paramount and is treated as a priority. The position demands leadership that encourages teamwork, professional development, and continuing culinary education among staff. Regular training activities, pre-shift meetings, and operational communications are essential to maintain standards of excellence.

By joining Michigan Dining, the Senior Executive Pastry Chef becomes part of an organization committed to sustainability, employee growth, and outstanding service quality. This full-time, exempt position offers a competitive salary range of $68,450 to $78,750 and is situated within a supportive, mission-driven environment. The University of Michigan offers a robust benefits package, emphasizing wellbeing, financial security, and work-life balance. This position requires dedication to culinary craft, operational expertise, leadership acumen, and an ongoing commitment to certification standards as stipulated by ServSafe, HACCP, and the American Culinary Federation. Candidates passionate about delivering superior pastry operations in an academic community setting will find this role both challenging and rewarding.