Culinary Lead

**Classification & Regular Hours**: Hours per Week: 40 Hourly Rate: $21.41 (As of July 1, 2025) Please note, this position is a full-time sessional opportunity working from September to April each year. **About Western**: Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference. **About Us**: Hospitality Services consists of five distinct divisions - Campus Eateries, Residence Dining, Catering, Conference Services and Vending Services. We have over 600 employees working in the various divisions. We service over 23,000 customers per day in 20 campus operations providing our guests with a wide variety of options and choices including many of your favourite franchises. **Responsibilities**: The Culinary Lead is a lead hand to Culinary Support employees and is responsible for training staff members, including orientation to established procedures, routines, and serving/food preparation techniques. The Culinary Lead is responsible for operation of the unit in absence of management or supervisor and also may be responsible for the effective opening or closing of their food service unit. The role is responsible for serving food and beverages, food preparation, accepting payment, cleaning and sanitizing various work areas. This is a frontline position responsible for providing exceptional customer service, however additional duties include restocking of product and assisting in other areas such as the kitchen and dish room. The Culinary Lead is also responsible for providing assistance for special functions (i.e. Banquets, BBQs, etc.), specialized sandwich and salad preparation, preparing short order breakfast or lunch, receiving and storing deliveries and performing table/bar service as required. **Qualifications**: **Education**: - Completion of Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent **Experience**: - 2 years' customer service experience - 2 years' experience working in a hospitality related position (such as Culinary Support) Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: - Strong leadership skills with the ability to delegate and provide direction to Culinary Support team members, ensuring work assignments are carried out properly; ability to resolve issues as they arise - Exceptional customer service skills with a positive, professional attitude and genuine customer service orientation - Ability to perform duties in a professional and safe manner, adhering to WHMIS, HACCP and food safety practices - Ability to work well under pressure and handle multiple conflicting priorities in a fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions - Ability to perform physically demanding work and physically capable of prolonged standing, pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying up to 20 kg. - Strong oral and written communication skills with an ability to comprehend verbal and written instructions - Self-directed and demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative and follow through on work assignments - Natural inclination to respond courteously to instruction, questions and comments - Ability to establish and build healthy working relationships and partnerships with customers, peers and supervisors - Demonstrated dependability and cooperative nature - Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment - Basic mathematical skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail - Basic computer skills and the ability to learn new software - Must be 18 years old to serve alcohol and be smart serve certified - To perform driving functions, must hold a Valid Class 'G' drivers license - Ability to work a variety of shifts including early mornings, late nights, weekends and holidays **Union Statement**: **Western Values Diversity**: Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194. **Please Note**: We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.