Executive Catering Chef

Overview NC State Dining is seeking a visionary, high-energy Executive Catering Chef to steer our thriving $4M catering operation and oversee retail food production at the Talley Student Union. In this administrative and culinary leadership role, you will balance creative artistry with operational excellence—crafting everything from daily retail favorites to high-profile VIP events. If you are a culinary professional who thrives on mentoring a talented kitchen team, staying ahead of food trends, and delivering unforgettable guest experiences, we want you to lead our kitchen! What You’ll Do Culinary Artistry & Innovation Set the Standard: Develop, test, and standardize innovative menus and recipes that incorporate modern food trends and elevate the campus dining experience. Flawless Execution: Oversee high-volume production while maintaining fine-dining execution, technical precision ("just-in-time" production), and visually stunning plating for VIP events. Tech-Driven Kitchen: Utilize industry software (NetMenu) to manage recipes, forecast accurately, and streamline production schedules. Inspire the Team: Direct, schedule, and mentor a talented Back-of-House (BOH) team, including the unit chef, sous chefs, and cooks. Smart Financial Management: Manage labor and food costs to hit financial targets, overseeing inventory, procurement, and budget planning without sacrificing quality. Grow Talent: Lead the hiring, onboarding, and continuous professional development of kitchen staff, building a collaborative, growth-oriented workplace culture. Gold-Standard Safety & Customer Service Maintain Excellence: Ensure the kitchen consistently achieves a Grade A sanitation rating (95% or better) in alignment with ServSafe and Wake County Health Department guidelines. Client-Centric Focus: Partner closely with Front-of-House (FOH) teams, nutritionists, and campus partners to customize events, resolve issues quickly, and deliver exceptional customer service. Who You Are A Dual-Threat Chef: You possess a proven track record blending large-scale catering production with elite, fine-dining execution. A People Developer: You love to coach, train, and build high-performing, safe, and positive kitchen environments. An Organized Leader: You can seamlessly pivot from the chopping block to administrative tasks, managing budgets, schedules, and cross-departmental communication with ease. Other Responsibilities Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Minimum Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics, Home Economics, Hospitality Management, or a related field plus one year of food management experience; OR an Associate’s degree in a related field plus three years of food management experience; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience. Other Required Qualifications N/A Preferred Qualifications A Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts Five or more years of culinary management experience in a large-volume food service environment, preferably in a college/university food service environment Professional culinary certification such as Certified Executive Chef (CEC), Certified Culinary Educator (CCE), and/or Certified Culinary Cook (CCC) Previous experience as an Executive Chef Previous experience with a computer food production program such as NetMenu 3-5 years management experience (planning, forecasting, ordering, budgeting) 3-5 years of supervisory experience Required License(s) or Certification(s) Serv Safe Certificate or ability to obtain with 90 days of employment A valid North Carolina driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within 60 days of start date is required Food Allergen trained and certified or ability to obtain within 90 days of start date Licenses and certifications must be maintained as a condition of employment Valid NC Driver\'s License required Yes Commercial Driver\'s License required No Application & Open Dates Job Open Date: 07/08/2026 Anticipated Close Date: N/A Special Instructions to Applicants Along with your completed application, please include as attachments a cover letter and resume. Position Number: 00041462 Position Type: EPS/SAAO Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0 Appointment: 12 Month Recurring Mandatory Designations: Adverse Weather; Emergency Events; Evacuations/Natural Hazards Department: 471501 - Dining Administration EEO NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact View phone number on click.appcast.io to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). * How did you learn of this opportunity? NCSU Website Job Alert (automated email from our system) NCSU Executive Search Services Monster.com CareerBuilder.com InsideHigherEd.com Other Online Job Board Carolina Job Finder / Employment Guide Job / Career Fair The Chronicle of Higher Education Professional Journal Print Advertisement (Newspaper / Periodical) Professional Organization Direct Contact from NCSU HR Representative / Recruiter NCSU Employee Referral Social Media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Other) Other #J-18808-Ljbffr NC State University