Director - Culinary Services

Position Details Position Information Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26305

For questions regarding this position, please contact Search Support at auxjobsmontana.edu or 406-994-6093.

Classification Title Administrative Director Working Title Director - Culinary Services

Brief Position Overview The Culinary Services Director provides executive oversight to the food operations and is responsible for each operations long-term viability and ultimate success in meeting the needs of the campus community through the establishment and maintenance of an effective management team, staff system, controls, and sustainability initiatives.

Position Number 4C4023 Department Culinary Services Administration Division Auxiliary Services Appointment Type Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester

If other specify From date If other specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type MUS If other please specify Recruitment Type Open

Position Details General Statement Culinary Services Division CSD a division of Auxiliary Services provides meals for over 12,000 customers daily and is an integral part of campus life and the overall college experience. CSD proudly provides Montana State University students with not only a repertoire of various cuisines, cooking styles, and flavors but a comfortable atmosphere to meet friends, study, and simply relax. The division is comprised of 2 residential dining halls, 7 retail operations, internal and franchise, Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, and Bobcat Stadium Concessions, Fork in the Road food truck, MSU Catering, Indulge In-House Bakery & Commissary Kitchen, and the Farm to Campus Program.

Duties and Responsibilities The Culinary Services Director provides executive leadership of the food operations and is responsible for each operations long-term financial viability and ultimate success in meeting the needs of the campus community through the establishment and maintenance of an effective management team, staff system, controls, and sustainability initiatives. Strategic oversight and administration of the divisions financial resources, personnel, inventory, marketing programs, and facilities. Analysis, development, and implementation of tactical planning initiatives that align and flex with the universitys goals. Responsible for the divisions budget development and maintenance of approximately $35 million annually. Charged with maximizing revenue potential to meet intended goals of reinvestment back into the university. Direct supervision of the six members of the divisions leadership team and senior oversight of the divisions personnel, 250 staff and 600 students, short-term workers, providing guidance in relation to recruitment, retention, training, and professional development. Provide large and small project management direction, inclusive of oversight of facilities maintenance, immediate and deferred needs, and new construction. Primary oversight of the divisions procurement, contract management, and compliance, operational policies and procedures, inventory systems, and sanitation and safe food handling compliance. Develop systems to regularly evaluate all areas of responsibility from inventory to food production to sustainability and other programs. Oversee the divisions customer service initiatives in support of the universitys commitment to service excellence. Monitor internal control mechanisms to reduce the risk of fraud. Direct the divisions marketing plans specific to each operation in support of financial goals. Interact and build sustainable working relationships with students, campus constituents, vendors, and other industry partners. Report to the Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services and actively participate as part of the Auxiliary Services executive team while performing other duties in support of the enterprises mission.

Required Qualifications

• Experience
• Education
• Knowledge & Skills Bachelors degree in Business, Hospitality Management, Food Service Management, or related disciplines, or extensive relevant experience typically found in operating or managing a large-scale, high-volume food operation. Significant progressive experience in the management and leadership of a multi-unit diversified food service organization with demonstrated experience in strong business practices, senior-level human resource management, marketing, and policy and procedure formulation and execution. Extensive operational understanding of the systems necessary to successfully operate a comprehensive, large-scale, high-volume food operation through actual participation in various components within such an organization. Demonated skill in developing, administering, and managing budgets. Experience providing oversight in the maintenance and growth of sustainability-related initiatives or systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience
• Education
• Knowledge & Skills Masters degree or certification in a relevant, related field. Significant project management experience in the food industry, programmatic, and/or construction and renovation. Successful experience utilizing trending technology in the food industry. At least three years of high-level leadership experience within a self-operated, higher-educational food service setting. Demonated success in implementing and executing strategic and lasting revenue initiatives. Demonated experience building and maintaining successful relationships with a wide array of constituents.

The Successful Candidate Will Exhibit

• Comprehensive knowledge of self-operated, comprehensive, large-scale institutional food service operations
• Effective leadership skills, creating a culture of service and accountability within a large organization
• Interpretation of varied and complex data as it relates to financial performance, cost containment, food stuffs inventories, and production and sales of the enterprise venues
• Strong commitment to customer service
• Computer expertise with a variety of software packages and navigation confidently within the divisions and universitys administrative suite of software
• Ability to quickly learn and put to use the knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate employees to perform at and sustain a high level of quality and output
• Extensive experience in facilitating change, managing conflict, and problem-solving
• Generation of team-oriented solutions to challenges facing the Auxiliary and more specifically, the Culinary Services division
• Effective speaking and presentation skills in front of groups of varying size
• Knowledgeable about State and Federal health and food safety guidelines

Position Special Requirements Additional Information This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State Universitys rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Must possess a valid drivers license and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State University vehicles. Please do not send a copy of your drivers license at this time. If the successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state drivers license, the candidate must obtain a valid Montana drivers license within 60 days. Will be asked to work evenings, weekends, long hours, consecutive days during busy periods, and occasional holidays as the school and event schedule demands. Occasional travel for work. Dependent on athletic games and special event schedule will be required to attend events in various locations on campus.

Physical Demands To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Normal office and food service environments. Ability to move about for long periods of time. Occasionally work outside and in inclement weather.

This position has supervisory duties.

Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Summer 2026 Position End Date if temporary Open Date Close Date Applications will be screened beginning April 1, 2026, however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions Please address the qualifications in your cover letter and resume. Questions Contact Search Support at auxjobsmontana.edu or 406-994-6093.

EEO Statement Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law. In compliance with the Montana Veterans Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veterans preference, please complete the veterans preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile. Applicant Documents Required Documents Resume Cover Letter Optional Supplemental Questions Required