Job no: 517447

Work type: Staff Full Time

Location: UMass Amherst

Department: Blue Wall Cafe

Union: AFSCME

Categories: Food Service/Hospitality

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Supervises the overall operation of the retail dining service's kitchens within the assigned area including ordering food, preparing menu items, inventories, sanitation, portion control, and proper storage of products.

Essential Functions

• Orders foods and accessories necessary in preparation of retail dining service's menus using standard forms and procedures.


• Trains employees of lesser grade assigned to retail dining services in the proper preparation procedures to achieve consistent production of menu items to meet established standards.


• Oversees portioning and presentation of menu items by visual inspection to verify conformity to established standards.


• Ensures proper cost controls by strict portion control, reduces spoilage and waste, and judiciously reuse products in order to meet financial goals.


• Instructs subordinates in proper food handling methods to comply with health and sanitation regulations.


• Supervises and assists in the preparation of menu items using food service equipment and standard preparation methods to produce requested items.


• Visually inspects and tests food and beverage products delivered to the Retail Dining Services kitchen to ensure products meet specifications.


• Assists in developing product specifications for products utilized in the Retail Dining Services operations to maintain quality of products served.


• Ensures proper handling and storage of all products according to established practices and policies.


• Assists Retail Operations Manager in proper security procedures to control pilferage, sanitation procedures and programs for proper sanitation and menu development.


• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Degree or diploma from a culinary school and two (2) years of lead/supervisory experience in a hotel, large restaurant, cafeteria, catering firm, government or private institutional kitchen setting.


• ServSafe certified or its equivalent (HAACP Hazard Analysis And Critical Control Point). Incumbents must be certified as food handlers within six (6) months of the appointment start date through a recognized program approved by the University of Massachusetts.


• Extensive knowledge of materials, procedures and methods used in the preparation, ordering, handling and cooking of food in an ala carte club or restaurant operation.


• Thorough knowledge of inventory and cost control procedures and methods in a food service operation.


• Thorough knowledge of food values, weights and measures as they apply to food.


• Thorough knowledge of menu development, preparation and presentation.


• Extensive knowledge of food standards in regard to quality, ability to relate this knowledge to specifications.


• Thorough knowledge of the proper usage of food service equipment.


• Ability to train and supervise kitchen staff.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Requires the ability to balance, carry, push, pull, stand, bend, reach, twist, lift and perform repetitive movements.

Additional Details

This position is designated as essential personnel.

Work Schedule

Varies depending on department needs; may include evenings, weekends and holidays.

Salary Information

Grade 14

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please complete online application and provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Jan 12 2023 Eastern Standard Time

Applications close: