Chef

About Unity:
At Unity Environmental University we are on a mission to make environmental education accessible and affordable to all. Our unique model combines a functional hierarchy and project-based structure through our four Sustainable Education Business Units (SEBUs) to promote collaboration and innovation (Distance Education, Sustainable Ventures, Hybrid Learning and the Technical Institute for Environmental Professions). We prioritize our students' needs above all else, offering a variety of modalities, including hybrid, in-person, hyflex, and online. Our innovative and inclusive culture prepares students to tackle real-world challenges and cultivate the next generation of environmental professionals and leaders who can make a positive impact on our world.

Our Mission:
We are dedicated to delivering quality education and experiences that produce outstanding environmentally competent professionals and inspire individuals from all walks of life to steward sustainable ecosystems.

About Sustainable Ventures:
Sustainable Ventures represents the real-world application of Unity Environmental Universities curriculum through a range of lifestyle brands, including hospitality, retail, agriculture, and other environmentally and socially conscious businesses. We also offer curated learning opportunities in the form of non-degree, non-credit courses, upskilling programs, workforce training, and micro-credentials that serve the needs of employers and businesses. We believe that sustainability is key to long-term business success and tailor our messaging to each location and Venture. At Unity Environmental University: Sustainable Ventures, we serve as an incubator for products and services designed to appeal to a broad audience, helping to maximize non-tuition revenue and generate diverse income streams. Our goal is to demonstrate that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand, creating a better world for all.

The Opportunity:
The Chef at Sky Lodge will re-establish farm-to-table food and beverage operations at Unity Environmental Universities 150 acre Moose River campus. The 50-person dining room is housed in the historic Sky Lodge log cabin, built in 1929, and located on the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway and tucked into Maines northwest timber country. The Jackman-Moose River Valley region is a year-round destination for outdoor adventure. Food and beverage services would be provided for both guests staying on site in one of the six cabin homes, and individuals living and visiting the area. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner service is required for student groups, non-profits, families, and summer camps who book the lodge. The campus also houses the Elaine and John Couri Welcome Center, an ideal spot for take-away breakfast or lunch service. This revenue generating position oversees food and beverage services for the property and is responsible for re-establishing operations and building the culinary team.

Unity Environmental University is committed to creating a sustainable world through global engagement and destination based education. The environment and our natural resources are at the forefront of all we do. As a steward of the environment, the Chef at Sky Lodge will envision new possibilities for the outdoor adventure traveler and for those who travel with purpose. Within the framework of functional leadership, the Chef supports and is supported by other members of the Sustainable Ventures team while working with all constituencies to realize the Unity Environmental University Mission and Strategic Plan.

Day to day responsibilities:

• Establish farm-to-table food and beverage services for the property, highlighting Sky Lodge as a destination for sustainable and environmentally conscious cuisine.
• Implements a hands-on approach to effectively manage daily food and beverage operations, implementing policies and standard operating procedure.
• Enhance Unity Environmental Universities reputation for environmental stewardship through sustainable practices.
• Sources and prepares meals; displays culinary creativity in developing menus, exhibiting dedication to high standards for output, quality, and sustainability.
• Work in conjunction with the VP to develop, implement, monitor, and control pricing and rate strategies to drive revenue; maintains a margin-based budget.
• Utilizes data-driven decision making to analyze business decisions and achieve operational excellence; including budget focused scheduling, weekly profit and loss reviews, quarterly business reviews, cash management, asset protection, inventory controls, and inventory management; analyze sales figures, interpret trends, and forecast future sales to manage all controllable costs and keep operations profitable and within expected margins.
• Ensures optimum resource management through menus development, training kitchen staff, and monitoring production inputs and waste; seeks out vendors, service providers, and other suppliers in align with business office practices and budget expectations.
• Inspects all food service spaces for cleanliness, maintains sanitary logs, and always ensures proper food safety, with a knowledge of food allergy protocols.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including State of Maine Food Code, Department of Health and Human Services Eating and Lodging Programs, SERV Safe, and OSHA regulations.
• Spearhead and develop an effective marketing strategy to promote Sky Lodge services and other offerings; works with the head of Sky Lodge to ensure all guest communication is updated regularly to match branding and enhance the guest experience, included but not limited to social media, online travel agents, industry travel partners, and newsletters.
• Identifies opportunities to enhance the individual guest experience and coordinates with the head of Sky Lodge to develop and standardize implementation.
• Facilitate strategic planning along with a timetable of action to achieve revenue goals and expectations.
• Hires, trains, and supervises personnel in coordination with VP, head of Sky Lodge, and Human Resources; responsible for the direct supervision of food and beverage employees, partners with the VP to ensure resolution to any and all challenges or concerns across units while adhering to Sky Lodge and Unity Environmental University policies and procedures.
• Communicates with maintenance staff to bring repairs and maintenance needs to their attention as identified during routine and seasonal cleaning of food service areas.
• Pro-actively communicate challenges, successes, and failures with leadership.
• Represents Unity Environmental University to the broader community.
• Maintain confidentiality of guest and proprietary information, protecting company assets.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Do you have the skills?

• Associate degree in hospitality, culinary, hotel, or business management
• At least 3 - 5 years of job-related hospitality and culinary management experience.
• At least 2+ years of food production experience.
• Serve-safe certification or must be obtained within 2 months of hire.
• Ability to work as part of a team or independently as needed in a rural setting.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and revenue-focused attitude.
• Must have business acumen, excellent communication, leadership, relationship building and interpersonal skills with excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to create a sustainable food and beverage menu within margins and produce quality food.
• Proven ability to manage inventory and control costs through accurate costing, sourcing, pricing, and comparative analysis.
• Ability to look for, suggest, and implement improved efficiencies.
• Ability to think creatively and produce superb work under multiple deadlines.
• Must be willing to participate in a learning environment and integrate education opportunities into everyday business practices.
• Demonstrated ability to relate well to individuals and groups with widely varying backgrounds, perspectives, education, and skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to Unity Environmental Universities core values and serves as a role model for the Universitystandards of conduct.
• Personal commitment to the environmental focus and mission of the university.
• Contributes to the Universities commitment to sustainability and contributes to the Universities commitment to support a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment.
• Ensures compliance with established Unity Environmental University: Sky Lodge policies & procedures
• Hands on social media experience with a working knowledge of Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and other social media platforms.
• Knowledge of the best practices and procedures for customer service, hospitality management, food and beverage operations and motivating and disciplining hospitality workers.
• A good driving record with the ability to obtain a valid Maine Drivers License.
• Strong knowledge of MS Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Must be able to quickly adapt to new software products.
• Ability to obtain a valid Maine Drivers license, with a clean driving record
• Ability to function effectively within a matrix organizational structure, maintaining open lines of communication while being discreet, courteous and well poised

Preferred skills:

• Bachelors Degree preferred.
  
  

Are you contemplating the job but uncertain if you should apply? We encourage you to reach out to us regardless. At our company, we acknowledge that not everyone begins their professional journey with equal advantages, opportunities, or privileges. Therefore, we value your unique skills and experiences. Take a chance and submit your application; you may be precisely the individual we're searching for!

Work Schedule:
Work hours are specific to the requirements of this position and can include days, evenings, weekends. Working extended hours may be required as needed and Unity Environmental University employees must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling their responsibilities while meeting the Universities needs.

Although at Unity Environmental University Enterprise employees are generally scheduled to work at their base location, there are times when travel is necessary and employees are required from time to time to attend events, meetings or work temporary assignment at any Unity Environmental University location.

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The use of either hand for repetitive movements such as grasping, grasping, and turning, and fine manipulation is required as is the ability to use the telephone for internal and external communications.

Company Perks:
Unity Environmental University offers a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package for its faculty and staff. Benefits for eligible employees include:

• Paid holidays off
• 4 weeks of PTO
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Short- and Long-term disability
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan with up to 8% match
• Relocation Assistance