Sous Chef - 10 Month

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) is renowned for offering a unique blend of a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus combined with the resources of a major university. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Superior, UMD stands out as a top regional university in the Midwest, consistently ranked by U.S. News and World Report in the "America's Best Colleges" issue. UMD's academic offerings are diverse, grounded in a solid liberal arts foundation, with traditional degree programs supplemented by professional and graduate studies that leverage the university's extensive research institutes and laboratories. The university prides itself on an inclusive environment committed to attracting and retaining diverse talent and fostering equity across race, gender, age, and many other identities, making it a welcoming employer for people from all backgrounds. UMD has been recognized by notable publications including the Star Tribune and Forbes for workplace excellence, diversity, and employer quality, establishing itself as a top-tier workplace in the region.

UMD Dining Services is a vital part of the campus community, providing a wide array of high-quality dining choices that cater to varied tastes and dietary needs. With offerings ranging from an all-you-care-to-eat residential dining center called Superior Dining to a bustling Food Court featuring five distinctive concepts such as Subs & Wraps, Burgers, Pizza, Burritos, and Grab & Go, Dining Services ensures that students, faculty, and visitors have access to nutritious, satisfying meals daily. The department also manages Northern Shores Coffee Shop, two dining kiosks, a full-service restaurant, and offers comprehensive catering for campus events. A key focus of Dining Services lies in sustainability, quality, and delivering excellent customer service, helping foster an enjoyable dining experience that supports both the university's mission and its community's needs.

This position as Sous Chef (CO Pro 3 Supv-Dining/Food Svcs, 7423DS) is a 10-month role that requires a dynamic culinary leader to help manage and elevate the dining experience across UMD's facilities. The Sous Chef plays a critical role in ensuring food quality, sanitation, and service standards are consistently met or exceeded. The role involves coordinating daily staffing for complex, high-volume food service operations and overseeing inventory and product orders to maintain operational efficiency. A major responsibility will be to train, mentor, and guide kitchen teams, fostering professional development and strengthening both individual and team performance. Innovation is also a core component, as the Sous Chef is expected to refine recipes, optimize processes, and improve efficiencies to enhance the guests' culinary experience.

Moreover, the Sous Chef will actively support continuous improvement by observing guest trends, coaching staff to uphold service excellence, and managing performance through corrective actions when necessary. Strong communication skills are essential to engage with team members and management effectively. The role also emphasizes maintaining a safe and supportive work environment, prioritizing both physical and mental well-being for all team members and ensuring compliance with safety protocols. Classified as an essential employee, the Sous Chef must be prepared to work during reduced operations periods, such as inclement weather or power outages, highlighting the importance of reliability and dedication within this role.

Overall, this position offers an exciting opportunity for culinary professionals passionate about food service management to contribute to a dynamic university dining operation while helping innovate and deliver memorable dining experiences in a supportive and diversity-valuing environment. The candidate will join a team committed to sustainability, quality, and community engagement, offering both professional growth and the chance to significantly impact student and campus life.