About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name -- RICE -- Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary:

The Chef de Cuisine oversees and directs all food production activities within a university dining unit. This role is responsible for leading culinary training for food service staff, supporting recipe and menu development, and coordinating food preparation for daily operations and special events. The Chef de Cuisine ensures compliance with departmental standards related to food quality, presentation, sanitation, and safety.

Key responsibilities include developing menus, standardizing recipes, and setting product specifications. The Chef de Cuisine also plays a critical leadership role--fostering a positive work environment, maintaining high staff morale, and conducting annual performance evaluations. Additionally, this position is accountable for achieving budgetary goals related to food, labor, and supply costs.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate has at least three years of experience in a commercial kitchen, preferably in a kosher-certified environment, and demonstrates strong teamwork skills. They should be comfortable managing multiple tasks in a fast-paced setting, with a focus on maintaining high standards of sanitation and organization. Additionally, the candidate should have experience working in collaborative team environments and possess excellent multitasking abilities essential for kitchen operations.

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in-person. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Workplace Requirements:

Work Schedule: Weekly schedule will vary and will include working on weekends and holidays - Must be available to work any shift required.

Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds several times each day. Requires walking or standing up to eight hours per day. Other physical requirements of the job include the ability to bend/crouch/or kneel, lift, see, reach, climb, and balance. Must be able to detect scents and discern flavors.

Work environment: Primarily an indoor work environment in a variety of university settings, which may include offices, food serveries, and residential facilities. May be exposed to temperature extremes in facilities that are not climate controlled.

Work hazards include exposure to toxic and caustic chemicals. Some work may occur at heightened elevations on ladders or scaffolding, or in wet areas.

This position is considered essential during a campus emergency. The incumbent in this position is expected to report to campus, provide the essential services designated and work under the overall direction of the Crisis Management Team for the duration of a campus emergency.

Proposed Hiring Range: $63,100 minimum, with hiring salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

An Associate's Degree is required. The ideal candidate will have four years of related experience in commercial hospitality or a similar field, including at least three years of food service experience in a similar role. A Certified Food Manager's Permit from the City of Houston Health Department must be obtained within 30 days of hire, along with City of Houston Food Handlers Certification and ServSafe Allergen Training.

The candidate should have proven abilities in maintaining high standards of cleanliness, safety, and sanitation. Strong attention to detail, excellent organizational and culinary skills (including knife and tasting abilities), and the ability to judge flavor balance are essential. The ability to multitask, make quick decisions, and motivate staff to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment is crucial. Additionally, the candidate must be able to document HACCP log sheets and read and understand standard recipes and production sheets.

Skills:

• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills
• Effective communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Experience working in a fast-paced, professional kitchen environment.

Essential Functions:

• Food Production Supervision: Oversee food production and preparation, ensuring high-quality food presentation and compliance with department standards.
• Culinary Training: Train food service staff on food preparation techniques, appearance, portion control, and kosher laws. Conduct hands-on culinary education.
• Menu Development: Develop and standardize recipes, create menu files, and update as needed to maintain product consistency and quality.
• Special Functions Coordination: Organize and oversee food preparation, delivery, and setup for special catering functions.
• Budget Management: Assist with budgetary objectives related to food, labor, and supply costs. Contribute to product rotation and inventory management.
• Sanitation and Safety: Maintain full compliance with the City Health Code and HACCP standards. Guide kitchen staff in proper sanitation and food safety practices.
• Staff Leadership: Motivate staff to maintain high morale and productivity. Conduct performance reviews and assist with scheduling and labor planning.
• Documentation: Maintain HACCP logs, kosher certifications, and other required documentation.
• Crisis Management: Provide essential services during campus emergencies, working under the direction of the Crisis Management Team.

Additional Functions

• Supervision: Oversee kitchen staff, including Cook I, II, and III positions and Sous Chefs. Assist the executive chef with performance appraisals.
• Ordering and Inventory: Manage weekly supply ordering and inventory control.
• Training & Education: Educate kitchen staff on kosher laws and food handling procedures.
• Problem Resolution: Address and resolve any issues related to food preparation, kosher standards, or sanitation.
• Kitchen Management: Unlock kitchens in the morning and ensure they are secured in the evening. Receive and verify daily deliveries, especially kosher meat. Monitors the proper distinction between meat and parve foods and implements during cooking, storing, and labeling

Preferences:

• Bachelor's degree from a recognized culinary school and possess relevant certifications such as Certified Sous Chef (CSC) and Certified Executive Chef (CEC) from the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Additional qualifications include an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts, completion of an ACF-certified apprenticeship, or the Military Equivalent - Advanced Culinary Skills Training Course (ACSTC). The candidate must obtain a City of Houston Food Manager's Certification within 30 days of employment.
• Experience in university or large-scale food service operations, as well as proficiency in inventory management software and culinary software for recipe management and control, is essential. Advanced certification from a recognized culinary institution and a demonstrated commitment to sustainability are highly desirable.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University's Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.