Production Chef (Head Chef)

The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity invites qualified candidates to apply for a Production Chef position. This is a 12-month, full-time (1.0 FTE) position.

THE SAINT PAUL SEMINARY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY

The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity (SPSSOD) is operated under an affiliation agreement between the University of St. Thomas, the Saint Paul Seminary and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The vision, mission and core values are as follows:

Vision (Why we exist) : We envision Church leaders on fire with the Holy Spirit, equipping the faithful to transform the world in Jesus Christ.

Mission (What we do) : We provide integrated, Catholic formation for those called to serve as priests, deacons, or lay leaders in their local Church.

Core Values (How we operate):

• Foster Christ-centered growth: We cultivate growth in Jesus Christ of each member of our community, rooting all we do in His love, example and teachings.

• Engage in personal accompaniment: We walk alongside and assist each person to become aware of, understand and respond to God's grace.

• Thrive through use of our gifts: We celebrate the natural gifts God has already given to each individual and seek a deeper outpouring of the Holy Spirit and His gifts.

The successful candidate will also have a strong background in and/or knowledge of the Catholic Church, with a demonstrated commitment to the mission of the Church and respect for magisterial teaching.

Hiring will be contingent upon the successful completion of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul & Minneapolis’ “E3” Requirements of Safe Environment Training (see ), including manifesting a commitment to follow the Archdiocesan Code of Conduct for Church Personnel.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment. The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic. This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Tuition Remission   for employees, spouses, and dependents
• Generous Retirement Contributions   to support your future
• Comprehensive Health Coverage   including medical, dental, and vision
• Fully Paid Insurance : disability, life, and AD&D
• Paid Parental Leave   to support growing families

Salary Range: $66,500 to $72,800

The University of St. Thomas has provided a salary range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

JOB SUMMARY

The Production Chef (PC) is responsible for the overall culinary management of the Binz dining operations. This includes menu planning, food and labor cost control, staff hiring, training and scheduling, and strict adherence to food safety and sanitation standards as outlined in the University of St. Thomas HACCP guidelines. As the lead chef and kitchen manager, the PC serves as a collaborative and professional leader of the Binz Dining Services team, working closely with the Director of Operations to create a positive dining experience for the seminarians, priest, staff and guest.

The PC ensures that food production is accurately measured and recorded to support effective forecasting and consumption analysis. This role requires ongoing monitoring of production levels and adjustment of future schedules to meet budgetary targets. In partnership with the Director of Operations, the PC coordinates all culinary activities and manages inventory in a fiscally responsible manner.
Key responsibilities include training and supervising culinary staff in proper food production techniques, ensuring standardized recipes are followed and updated as needed, and verifying that serving line worksheets are completed accurately to support historical data tracking and forecasting. The PC is also responsible for conducting weekly inventories, developing weekly staff schedules, preparing daily production and prep sheets, and assigning tasks to the culinary team.

Additionally, the PC ensures that all kitchen staff operate in alignment with the financial goals of the Saint Paul Seminary.

This position is designated as Emergency Essential. Employees in this role are expected to remain on duty during campus closures if scheduled to work, or report to work if a closure is announced prior to the start of their shift.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Oversee food production and daily kitchen operations

• Direct preparation and cooking of meals according to established menus and recipes
• Monitor food quality, consistency, and presentation
• Assist with cooking during high-volume periods

Supervise, train, and develop culinary staff

• Assign tasks and manage daily workflow
• Train staff on food preparation, safety, and sanitation
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback
• Hiring 

Menu planning and recipe development

• Develop rotating menus (e.g., five-week cycles)
• Test and implement new recipes
• Collaborate on special event menus

Inventory management and ordering

• Order, receive, and store food and supplies
• Maintain inventory records and conduct monthly counts
• Ensure product quality and proper storage

Budget and cost control

• Manage food and labor costs
• Monitor usage and minimize waste
• Assist with accounts payable and financial tracking

Food safety and sanitation compliance

• Enforce HACCP and ServSafe standards
• Maintain clean and sanitary kitchen conditions
• Train staff on safe food handling practices

Equipment and facility maintenance

• Monitor kitchen equipment and coordinate repairs
• Support deep cleaning and upkeep of kitchen areas

Customer service and collaboration

• Interact professionally with Seminarians, staff, and guests
• Support special events and campus functions
• Collaborate with dining leadership and departments

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or its equivalent
• Five years of culinary management experience in a high-volume food service operation
• Must be ServSafe certified within 6 months of hire
• Job may require working additional hours (more than scheduled 40 per week) to accommodate the business needs

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor's degree in culinary arts
• Experience as a lead chef/production in large-scale food service operation
• Effective communication (verbal, written, interpersonal) skills and an ability to communicate effectively with a diverse constituency
• Strong time management, organizational and multi-tasking skills
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines and manage competing priorities

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in and move about a kitchen setting; ability to use a computer; ability to read printed materials and a computer screen; ability to transport up to 40 pounds; ability to access various kitchen storage areas; ability to retrieve items stored both low and overhead; ability to communicate in person and over the telephone. The University provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities who require and request accommodation to perform the essential functions of their jobs. 

HOW TO APPLY

All interested candidates must apply online at . Follow the instructions to complete an online application which includes creating or updating an applicant profile, uploading a resume, and completing a job specific application.

In light of its commitment to create and maintain a safe learning and working environment, employment with the University of St. Thomas requires consent and successful completion of a background screening.

Official job posting is available at .