Title: Executive Pastry Chef
Employee Classification: Executive Chef
Campus: University of North Texas
Division: UNT-Student Affairs
SubDivision-Department: UNT-Dining Service
Department: UNT-Dining-Residential-163720
Job Location: Denton
Salary: salary commensurate with experience
FTE: 1.000000
Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible
About Us - Values Overview
Department Summary
It’s About the Food!
Why work for UNT Dining? Our employees explain. – YouTube
As the largest self-supported food service department in North Texas, UNT Dining Services is setting the standard for campus dining. With five Dining Halls, more than 20 retail locations, an upscale restaurant, a hydroponic garden, a central scratch bakery, and full-service catering, the department is led by a team of professionally trained chefs and hospitality experts. UNT is recognized as a national leader in university dining, known for its innovative, trendsetting approach and award-winning culinary talent.
UNT Dining Services is home to Mean Greens Café, the nation’s first 100% vegan collegiate dining hall, and Kitchen West, Texas’ first and only university dining hall certified Free From the Big 8 food allergens and gluten. In 2021, UNT introduced Eagle Landing, the university’s first standalone dining hall, inspired by urban food halls and featuring seven distinct restaurant concepts—all available for a single Meal Plan swipe.
Recognized for excellence, UNT was ranked No. 2 nationwide for best college food by Delish.com. The department is also the proud recipient of the prestigious Loyal E. Horton Award and the Vegan Recipe Award from the National Association of College and University Food Services. As a founding member of the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative, UNT plays an active role in pioneering research on plant-forward diets, food waste reduction, and consumer food choices, all while advancing the principles of healthy, sustainable menus.
Position Overview
To advance the mission of the University of North Texas through bakery excellence in catering, retail operations and cafeteria service. The Master Baker is a highly visible and driven culinary professional who works tirelessly to ensure UNT always has great baked goods for every function and every meal. It is critical that the bake shop produces every single baked item that we use on campus utilizing advanced preparation techniques and leveraging automation.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in related field and five years of professional related experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Expert skill in managing culinary expectations and output of upscale catering events and high-volume commissary production for retail sale.
Plans and manages kitchen activity at all times through consistent enforcement of established standards and adherence to timelines.
Able to quickly diagnose production issues and take appropriate corrective action.
Communicates pertinent information effectively with employees of varying skill sets.
Adept in optimal food production scheduling.
Ability to standardize and train every kitchen process with task detail, including developing/documenting, monitoring, and enforcing standard operating procedures.
Skill in working independently and following through on assignments with minimal direction.
Passion for innovation, product development and mentoring culinary talent.
Ability to program new product R&D and coordinate with other departments for deployment.
In depth knowledge of federal, state, and local food establishment regulations.
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ Years of leadership experience in a high volume bakery, pastry, or dessert concept.
- Strong scratch baking background with advanced knowledge of doughs, breads, pastries, cookies, laminated products, ice creams, confections.
- Proven experience managing complex production schedules, ordering, inventory, and food cost controls.
- Ability to lead, train, and hold team accountable.
- Experience with gourmet cakes.
Required License/Registration/Certifications
Must be Food Safe Certified or able to obtain certification within 6 months.
Job Duties
Physical Requirements
Communicating with others to exchange information.
Lifting and Moving objects up to 50 pounds.
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
Environmental Hazards
No adverse environmental conditions expected.
Work Schedule
Hours Vary ( early morning work hours)
Driving University Vehicle
Yes
Security Sensitive
This is a Security Sensitive Position.
Special Instructions
Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted.
Benefits
For information regarding our Benefits, click here.
EEO Statement
The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.