Nashville, Tennessee Vanderbilt University
The Catering Sous Chef is a key member of the Campus Dining Team within the Division of Administration at Vanderbilt University. The Sous Chef for Vanderbilt Catering & Events will be responsible for day-to-day kitchen operations within the catering division. This position will oversee kitchen activities including food preparation, food presentation, menu planning, execution, and culinary excellence. This position will cover shifts and act as unit manager in the absence of unit manager. Reporting directly to the Executive Chef of Catering, this position is responsible for assisting in supervising staff and plays a large role in supporting productive employee relationships which embrace sustainability and influence a positive team environment.

About Vanderbilt Catering & Events and Campus Dining Department:

Vanderbilt Catering delivers the excellence expected from Vanderbilt University. As a division of Vanderbilt Campus Dining, we are engaged with our campus community. Whether the function is a continental breakfast for ten, a buffet for one hundred or a gala dinner for one thousand, Vanderbilt Catering will provide the caliber of food and distinction of service the University expects from its on-campus caterer.

Vanderbilt Campus Dining takes pride in the culinary creations served from our kitchens. Our Dining program is highly decorated, the winner of many prestigious awards in the food service industry, including Best On-Site Food Service Operation in the Nation, Best Food Service Operator, the prestigious Ivy Award, and many more. We have main dining centers, restaurants and cafes, commissary, convenience stores, and we employ over 300 employees.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and direction to encourage and maintain a positive and collaborative working environment that promotes efficient and effective operations and provide exceptional customer service
• Responsible for opening and closing operations according to expectations of the management team
• Train the staff in proper cooking techniques and presentation
• Oversee staffing in operation and redirect labor as needed
• Maintain high-level product knowledge by taking initiative in acquiring education in order to train, coach, and develop direct reports
• Promote sustainability efforts
• Manage and supervise operational processes and procedures by evaluating and clarifying process expectations while supporting the sustainability efforts of Vanderbilt University
• Order food, beverage, dry goods and other supplies, while maintaining unit budgetary guidelines.
• Manage, train and evaluate assigned culinary/kitchen staff
• Menu writing, development and planning
• Ensure the proper storage of food and supplies
• Complete a monthly inventory of goods and assist the chef in monitoring food cost
• Encourages creative approaches to improved financial viability including cost reduction initiatives and other related efforts
• Responsible for making sure staff properly dispose and record waste using Lean Path
• Ensure food is properly dated and labeled in coolers and storage areas
• Ensure performance expectations and work rules are clearly communicated and implemented by leading, coaching and mentoring to promote a culture of stewardship, high performance and growth
• Plan ahead to best manage and communicate information at line-ups.
• Delegate tasks to employees as necessary
• Maintain a safe work environment by modeling, enforcing, and communicating all safety standards
• Ensure uniform compliance and professional appearance of staff members
• Serve as link between staff and management to communicate concerns and ideas
• Manage escalating employee conduct issues
• Provide on-going coaching and performance feedback to staff members
• Manage work stations by evaluating and coaching employees to ensure proper processes and procedures are being met to assure that quality standard internal controls are being practiced
• Supervise the sanitation of work stations including floor care, worktables, walls, hoods, refrigerators, equipment and utensils
• Confirm staff complete daily temperature logs and cleaning lists

Supervisory Relationships:

This position has direct supervisory responsibility over hourly food service employees; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Executive Catering Chef

Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or GED is necessary.
• An Associate's degree from an accredited higher education institution with specialized training in Culinary Arts is preferred.
• 2 years of related culinary management and experience in developing a quality food program in a restaurant or hospitality environment is necessary.
• ServSafe Manager certification within 30 days of hire is necessary.
• AllerTrain U certification within 30 days of hire is necessary.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new systems and applications is necessary.
• Basic computer skills and an ability to work in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel) is necessary.
• Strong communication (verbal, written, interpersonal) skills and an ability to communicate effectively with a diverse population is necessary.
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines and manage competing priorities is necessary.
• Operational knowledge of industrial kitchen equipment (dishwasher, oven, ventilation systems, etc.) is necessary.
• Strong time management, organizational and multi-tasking skills and an eye for detail is necessary.
• Manage people, maintain confidentiality and be accountable for Vanderbilt assets is necessary.

Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit:

• Acceptance of Feedback - Takes constructive criticism with grace, and makes improvements without taking it personally or holding grudges; when wrong, owns it - freely admits mistakes
• Raises the Bar - Expects and delivers excellence; is a creative problem solver; is proactive; welcomes input on making things better places a high value on learning and getting better
• Assumes the Best - Assumes that others are working as hard as you are on things that are as important as what you are working on; just because you don't know what someone does, it doesn't mean they're not doing anything
• Believes - Believes in the work being done and in the importance of the organization's mission
• Teamwork - Genuinely values teamwork and co-workers; make them feel valuable and important by acknowledging what they do well. Doesn't expect from others effort that one is unwilling to do themselves. Finds ways to acknowledge other's strong suits.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.