Head Chef Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Under the general direction of the Associate Director of Residential Dining Services, UW- Milwaukee's Dining and Retail Services Department is hiring a dynamic and team-focused Chef de Cuisine.

This positionwill lead and inspire back of house kitchen staff in the production of Residential Dining units andbe responsible formenu implementation, recipe development, hiring and staff training, collaborating with unit managers, and optimizingstaff productivity and consistency.

The Chef de Cuisine will enforce best practices for safety, quality, consistency, and sanitation in the kitchen,monitoringand training all staff and students in proper sanitation and operational procedures.The positionis responsible forthe planning, coordinating, service, and delivery of all food and all related activities for these operations andspecial events.

Culinary Management 50%

• Establish operating and staff schedules for all units.
• Demonstrates hands-on management, clear direction, pro-active leadership, and the ability to achieve high quality, food sanitation and customer service standards.

• Effectively oversee daily floor operations to meet the ever-changing demands and needs of the unit.
• Plans and directs staff implementation of operating policies and procedures to ensure adherence to safe food quality, handling, and sanitation processes and procedures.
• Monitor day to day unit ordering to ensure proper unit inventory levels and to maintain proper product rotation and inventory procedures.
• Maintain equipment and schedules repairs.
• Assist in production as needed.

• Assists in departmental walkthroughs in collaboration with the executive chef with vendors, health departments, facilities, and other supportive reviews of programs and services.

Staff Onboarding, Training, and Development 25%

• Coach, lead and mentor staff to help them maximize their potential by creating an environment that provides motivation, participation, and opportunities for employee engagement.
• Provides leadership to employees, sets performance expectations, communicates specific instructions, and teaches procedures, with appropriate follow-through.
• Assists with oversight of kitchen cleaner staff, including scheduling and assigning tasks.
• Recruit, hire, develop, and discipline as needed.

Recipe and Menu Development 20%

• Keep abreast of current culinary and industry trends in relation to client and customer needs.

• Review, update, and create menus regularly to ensure variety, quality, cost-effective, achievable, and consistent menu offerings.

• Test and develop recipes and new menu items.

• Collaborate with Executive Chef on product mix, item needs, and menu development and creation.

• Provide tastings and samplings for staff and clients.

• Solicits and responds to information from customers; responds to online and other surveys.

• Informs leadership about customer service issues and follow-up actions.

• Ensures consistency and quality; oversees adherence to standards, policies, and procedures.

Administrative Duties 5%

• Manages special projects and other duties, as assigned.

• Creates required financial and related reports.

Dining and Retail Services is a self-operated dining venture on campus with a $18 million operating budget. The department has three facilities that provide food services across campus, including Sandburg Hall Cafe, Cambridge Commons Cafe,RestorSandburg,RestorCambridge, retail offerings in the Student Union including catering unit, Grind coffee locations, convenience stores, and concessions operations. The department includes a dynamic management team and approximately fifty resolute permanent staff. Our department includes over three hundred student employees in all areas of our operations.

$67,000 - $75,000 Annually

Interested applicants are required to apply online and provide BOTH cover letter and resume addressing your professional level work experience as it relates to all required and preferred qualifications.

Applicants must complete all required fields and attach all required documents prior to submitting the online application. Applications missing any of the required documents listed prior to the application deadline may be marked as incomplete and not be considered. In instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable to ascertain from the candidates' application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they may be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications.

Finalist candidates(s) will be asked to provide three professional/supervisor references through an external reference checking tool. References will not be contacted prior to candidates being notified.

This is a continuous recruitment with an initial review date of 08/07/2026. To ensure consideration, applications must be submitted by 08/06/2026. Applications submitted after 08/06/2026 may not be reviewed.

Questions can be directed to Luke Messmann (messmanl@uwm.edu)

Reasonable Accommodations
Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact uwm-jobs@uwm.edu or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.
Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWMis a State agency and subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law.UWMwill not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin's Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of "final candidates" and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.
CBCand Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check.UWMtakes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For theUWMAnnual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, seehttp://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM's Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229-4632 for a paper copy.
Employment Authorization
In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.