Director of Culinary Operations Campus Dining

Director of Culinary Operations Campus Dining

USC Auxiliary Services, one of the largest divisions at The University Of Southern California, is focused on making a difference for over 65,000 students, athletes, faculty, staff, and guests who visit our campuses each day. Through our innovative services, our six central business units collectively create the best USC experience for future leaders, scientists, filmmakers, engineers, and doctors alike. Auxiliary Services works tirelessly to welcome all visitors into the Trojan family. From fine dining restaurants to residential dining, USC Hospitality serves over 65,000 students, athletes, faculty, and staff, as well as our many visitors. Hospitality is one of the six core business units that comprise USC Auxiliary Services and one of the largest employers on campus. The team at USC Hospitality is led by innovative executive chefs and directors who strive every day to craft nourishing and wholesome alternatives for our hungry Trojan Family and our guests. We are driven to succeed by our commitment to uphold our unifying values. We are seeking a Director of Culinary Operations Campus Dining to join our rapidly growing team. Position Overview : The Director of Culinary Operations Campus Dining plays a pivotal role in driving innovation and excellence within our residential and retail dining operations. This Director is in charge of the culinary vision and direction of the dining program and is responsible for all aspects including food safety, food quality, innovation and presentation. The primary driver for this position is to drive innovation and further enhance the reputation of and satisfaction with the dining program amongst meal plan participants, the broader USC community of USC students, staff and faculty. This position will be in charge of training and maintaining culinary standards throughout all residential and retail venues and will have Kitchen Managers and a Senior Kitchen Manager as direct reports. In addition, the Culinary Director will work closely with Hospitality Purchasing and Business Data Operations in developing menus, while upholding USC's purchasing standards and working with our food management system to manage all aspects of recipe building, ordering, production and service. You will collaborate with the leadership team to identify and implement new concepts, program updates, create and execute special events, such as culinary takeovers, etc. The Culinary Director will be responsible for meeting or exceeding budgeted targets for cost of goods and culinary labor in residential and retail dining. This position will be responsible to build positive relationships with student government, student life and the broader USC community and actively seeks their feedback, so this can be incorporated into menu development and programming to meet evolving needs and exceed expectations. The Culinary Director is a member of the USC Hospitality senior leadership team and collaborates with culinary leadership across the department. The Culinary Director stays current with the development of dining programs at peer institutions and is actively engaged and involved with culinary and industry associations. The Accountabilities : Oversee full implementation and the Food Management System (CBORD or similar program). Utilizing the program for pre and postproduction, forecasting, waste management and maintaining accuracy and costing for our dining program. Manages the program according to established KPI's and implements actions in areas where results deviate from expectations. Develop and maintain recipes, portion specifications, and standard preparation procedures for all dishes and ensure that all cooks are following these standards. Have a solid understanding of company invoice tracking, labor tracking, schedule preparation, food cost management, labor cost management, inventory control, and hiring, counseling, and termination policies. Evaluate station flow and drive efficiency in speed of service to streamline operations, reduce wait times, and enhance the overall dining experience. Ensure food presentation aligns with our brand standards, focusing on aesthetic appeal, innovative approach and attention to detail. Lead concept development efforts, working closely with leadership and culinary personnel to understand their needs and ideate innovative culinary concepts. Align culinary initiatives with USC's Unifying Values as well as sustainability goals. Participates in the development of the strategic vision and mission of the department(s). Helps define the strategy, goals and tactics to meet the unit and department(s) objectives. Participates in the development and administration of department budgets in conjunction with subordinate managers. Meets or exceeds all assigned budgetary targets. Monitors fiscal performance and looks for variances or trends. Updates projections and forecasts on a monthly basis. Proactively implements corrective actions when financial performance of unit(s) does not meet budget. Approves major expenditures and budget adjustments, as authorized. Analyzes data from detailed reports and drives team accountability. Manages the delivery of services for staff, students, faculty and other guests. Sets and communicates department priorities and performance standards and assesses operations using these criteria. Plans and conducts quality assurance reviews and recommends changes, as appropriate. Develops and maintains systems and procedures to facilitate department operations. Directly or indirectly manages program and administrative staff, usually through subordinate managers and supervisors. Recruits, screens, hires, and trains staff, as necessary. Evaluates employee performance and provides guidance and feedback. Counsels, disciplines and / or terminates employees as required. Recommends departmental goals and objectives, including workforce planning and compensation recommendations. Reassesses or redefines priorities as appropriate in order to achieve performance objectives. Recommends, approves and monitors professional training and development opportunities for staff. Participates in the planning, development and implementation of policies and procedures, including development and implementation of training programs, procedural manuals, special projects and major university initiatives. Continuously improves departmental policies and procedures to achieve standardization of best practices and defined policies and procedures. Implements and supports department-wide quality control processes and initiatives. Ensures compliance by all associates and management with all university, local, state, federal rules and regulations, including those related to Public Health, ABC and NCAA. Develops and maintains effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Screens, engages and manages work provided by third-party outside vendors required to effectively complete assignments to established standards, as required. Ensures contract terms are satisfied. Maintains awareness and knowledge of current changes within legal, regulatory, and technology environments which may affect operations. Ensures senior management and staff are informed of any changes and updates in a timely manner. Establishes and maintains an appropriate network of professional contacts. Maintains membership in appropriate professional organizations and publications. Attends meetings, seminars and conferences and maintains continuity of any required or desirable certifications. Perform other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time. Minimum Qualifications : Education : Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management. Combined experience / education as substitute for minimum education. Experience : Seven years senior culinary management experience. Expertise : Extensive experience utilizing a menu management system (CBORD, FoodPro, Eatec, or similar). Valid CA driver's license required. Position will participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Pull Notice System. A copy of DMV record will be required as a final condition of employment. For more information, please visit the policy website. (https : / / policy.usc.edu / vehicle-driver-requirements / ) In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values. Preferred Qualifications : Education : Master's degree. Experience : Ten years. Expertise : High volume, complex foodservice operations experience in a university setting. Additional Information : This role is 100% on-site. No set schedule. May be required to work weekends, evenings and / or holidays. Must have full availability to support the needs of the business. The Trojan Family Rewards : We pride ourselves in creating the best USC EXPERIENCE, and that begins with our employees! We offer a wide variety of benefits and programs that support our staff and their families. For more information, please visit https : / / employees.usc.edu / benefits-perks / . This support advocates work-life balance and employee well-being. As members of the Trojan family, employees are connected by the traditions and history that make us proud to be Trojans! The work culture thrives on mutual respect, trust and synergy amongst all of its members. USC has great minds that transform the world with their talents and research. Will you be one? Join us! FIGHT ON! The annual base salary range for this position is $122,155.52 - $175,000. When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions. Minimum Education : Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management. Combined experience / education as substitute for minimum education. Minimum Experience : Seven years senior culinary management experience. Minimum Field of Expertise : High volume, complex foodservice operations experience in a university setting. Valid CA driver's license required. REQ20157484 Posted Date : 07 / 10 / 2025