Chef Manager (University Campus)

Job Description

Great food doesn't happen by accident.

It takes a leader who can balance creativity with execution, inspire a culinary team, and consistently deliver an exceptional dining experience for thousands of guests every day.

WHAT’S THE JOB?

We're looking for a hands-on Chef Manager to lead a dynamic university campus food service operation. This is more than running a kitchen. You'll help shape the campus dining experience through innovative menus, engaging food concepts, catering events, and exceptional hospitality. With multiple dining concepts, catering events, and a diverse campus community, no two days are the same. You'll be responsible for leading the culinary team, building strong client relationships, and ensuring operational, financial, and food safety excellence across the business.

This role is ideal for a chef who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys creating memorable food experiences, and takes pride in developing high-performing teams.

What You'll Do

• Lead all day-to-day culinary operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, consistency, presentation, and service.
• Develop and execute menus, daily features, promotions, and food concepts that keep the program fresh and relevant.
• Provide visible, hands-on leadership during service periods and special events.
• Recruit, coach, train, and develop team members while fostering a positive and accountable workplace culture.
• Ensure compliance with HACCP, FOODSAFE, workplace safety, and company food safety standards.
• Build strong relationships with campus partners, clients, students, and guests.
• Oversee catering services and special events from planning through execution.
• Manage food costs, labour, purchasing, inventory, and waste within established targets.
• Complete financial reporting, inventories, audits, and operational administration accurately and on time.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organized operation while driving continuous improvement.

What Success Looks Like

• You LOVE your job!
• Great food and hospitality are consistently delivered every day.
• The team is engaged, accountable, and well-trained.
• Clients view you as a trusted operational partner.
• Catering events are executed flawlessly.
• Food, labour, and inventory targets are achieved without compromising quality.
• The operation is known across campus for its service, creativity, and execution.

Qualifications

Who We're Looking For

• A Great Attitude!
• 5+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience within hospitality, restaurants, catering, campus dining, hotels, or other high-volume food service environments.
• Previous experience as a Chef Manager, Executive Chef, Sous Chef, or similar culinary leadership role.
• Strong culinary background with experience in menu planning, production management, menu costing, and recipe development.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience managing food costs, labour, inventory, purchasing, and operational budgets.
• Excellent customer service and client relationship management skills.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, Teams, and operational management systems.
• Red Seal certification, culinary diploma, SafeCheck Advanced Food Safety certification, or HACCP certification are considered assets.

Additional Information

What's in it for You?

• Be part of an industry that's more important than ever!
• Award winning safety culture.
• Supportive team environment with room to grow together.
• Employee Referral Program.
• We are growing!
• Certified as a Great Place to Work 2025-2026!

Dexterra Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veterans’ status, Indigenous status, or any other legally protected factors. Special needs accommodation is available at all stages of the application process upon request.

We thank all applicants for their interest and will contact those candidates selected for interview.

Please Note: We kindly ask that staffing or recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this opportunity. We are not accepting agency referrals at this time.