UNT Dining, Mean Greens Cafe' - Culinary Farmer

The University of North Texas (UNT) System is a prominent educational establishment encompassing multiple campuses including Denton, Frisco, Dallas, and Fort Worth. The UNT System is notably the only university system based exclusively in the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan region. With a dedicated workforce of over 14,000 employees, the UNT System serves a dynamic student body exceeding 49,000 individuals and awards nearly 12,000 degrees annually. Emphasizing a core commitment to excellence, innovation, and a people-first culture, the UNT System prioritizes values such as respect, belonging, access, and integrity across its community. They foster a collaborative environment where curiosity and passion thrive, making a significant impact through education and economic development. More about the UNT System’s values and initiatives can be explored at www.UNTSystem.edu.

Within this respected system, UNT Dining Services stands as the largest self-supported food service department in North Texas, setting benchmarks for campus dining quality and innovation. UNT Dining Services operates five dining halls, over 20 retail dining locations, an upscale restaurant, a central scratch bakery, a hydroponic garden, and full-service catering. Known nationally for culinary excellence, UNT Dining prides itself on groundbreaking approaches including Mean Greens Café, the nation’s first 100% vegan collegiate dining hall, and Kitchen West, Texas's first university dining facility certified Free From™ the Big 8 food allergens and gluten. Their commitment to sustainability and quality has earned them national recognition, including ranking No. 2 for best college food by Delish.com and prestigious culinary awards such as the Loyal E. Horton Award.

The position of Senior Food Service Manager – Culinary Farmer is a unique leadership role based at Mean Greens Café. This role plays a crucial part in harmonizing culinary operations with the hydroponic farm production system, advancing the farm-to-table dining experience that supports UNT’s sustainability and quality goals. The Senior Food Service Manager oversees daily kitchen operations, including the preparation of entrées, salads, vegetables, and daily specials aligned with standardized recipes and stringent food safety standards. Simultaneously, this position manages the hydroponic growing systems ensuring consistent production of fresh, high-quality produce that feeds directly into the dining program.

This role also involves supervising and mentoring culinary staff and student workers across both culinary and agricultural operations. It requires strong leadership, team-building skills, and a commitment to fostering a positive, educational dining environment focused on guest satisfaction and operational excellence. Key responsibilities include workforce planning, scheduling, inventory control, equipment maintenance, and ensuring compliance with university, health, and safety regulations. Collaborating with departmental leadership, the Senior Food Service Manager actively supports sustainability projects and campus-wide engagement initiatives that enhance the overall dining experience.

Candidates for this role should hold a bachelor’s degree or have equivalent education and experience in food service management, with a preference for those experienced in large-scale, high-volume culinary environments. A solid understanding of food safety regulations, including ServSafe certification, and familiarity with hydroponic or sustainable farming techniques, is highly desirable. The position demands a leader capable of managing complex food service operations while promoting innovative, sustainable culinary practices within a collegiate setting. The work schedule varies and includes the responsibility to drive university vehicles when needed. This position qualifies for Texas Teacher Retirement System (TRS) benefits, reflecting its status within the university’s employment framework. The salary for this full-time role is competitive and commensurate with experience, reflecting the seniority and specialized skills required.