Supervisor - Cafés & Markets (Food Service Supervisor 1)

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting a Food Supervisor 1 to join our Grab n Go team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is an 11-month cyclic, campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. Were offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. Youll find robust academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

This position provides frontline leadership for the CWU Café and Markets program by overseeing daily operations, supervising staff, and ensuring high standards of customer service, food and beverage quality, and operational efficiency. The supervisor plays a critical role in employee training while maintaining compliance with food and beverage safety, sanitation, and university policies. Working collaboratively with campus stakeholders, building personnel, and student organizations, this position supports programming, events, and initiatives that enhance student engagement and contribute to a welcoming campus environment. This position supports all Cafe and Market locations across campus. This position also may support other Dining Operations outside of Cafes & Markets on an as needed basis to aid Dining Operations.

In alignment with Central Washington Universitys vision, mission, and values, CWU Dining Services plays a key role in supporting these principles while also upholding our departments own vision, mission, and values. Our vision is to be a key campus partner in promoting the growth of our community through shared culinary and educational experiences. As a member of Dining Services, you will be directly involved in these efforts and are expected to embody both the university, and department, vision, mission, and values in your work. All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWUs vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence.

Job Duties

Operations & Customer Service:

• Assign tasks and monitors daily operations according to established guidelines, procedures, and policies.
• Ensure employees have necessary resources, including ingredients, equipment, and tools for proper food and beverage preparation and service.
• Maintains consistent oversight of food and beverage quality, presentation and cleanliness of display areas, ensure proper allergen labeling. Take immediate action to address and resolve issues.
• Verify that adequate quantities of food and beverages are prepared, merchandised and presented in accordance with quality and safety standards.
• Uses huddles, end-of-shift reports, coaching, and feedback to clearly communicate information and uphold consistent operational practices among staff and students.
• Identifies potential safety hazards, such as malfunctioning equipment or unsafe work practices, and takes corrective action to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Submits facilities work orders for equipment of building repairs.
• Monitors ware-washing activities to ensure dishes, utensils and cafe tools are properly cleaned and sanitized; direct and assist in proper cleanup of all café & markets service and dining areas.
• Monitor attendance and enter callouts in When to Work, note absences on posted schedules. Communicates attendance concerns to leadership.
• Performs timekeeping and attendance tracking for student employees, reviews entries for accuracy, processes and approves payroll in compliance with university policies.
• Monitor POS terminal functionality, GrubHub, and digital menu screens.
• Reviews safety, allergen, and PCI audit results and implements necessary follow-up actions.
• Actively participates in food and beverage preparation while also overseeing production activities and providing staff with guidance, feedback, and direction.
• Responsible for actively controlling food and beverage waste and promoting sustainability efforts and goals. Monitors portioning standards.
• Maintains oversight of mise in place, workplace cleanliness, and sanitation practices throughout the Café & Markets and food and beverage production areas.
• Supervises, directs, and participates in proper and safe use, cleaning and maintenance of equipment. Is responsible for providing recommendations for equipment repair and building maintenance needs.
• Actively seeks patron feedback and responds promptly to complaints, questions, and special requests.
• Assist with monthly inventory process.
• Adheres to established emergency preparedness procedures and responds appropriately during emergency situations.
• Recognize the value of and promote a strong workforce. Value and encourage perspectives, creativity, and teamwork.
• May be require to operate company owned vehicle in congested areas.

Leadership:

• Collaborates with Assistant Director of Admin Operations and Retail Dining, Café & Markets General Manager and Systems Analyst to ensure that goals and objectives are implemented.
• Maintains the vision, values and priorities of the department and work within the unit for alignment.
• Clearly defines performance expectations for full-time and student staff; ensures accountability and provides ongoing informal feedback.
• Encourages professional development by providing opportunities for food & beverage skill enhancement, food & beverage safety training, and leadership growth for staff and students.
• Cultivates a supportive and collaborative environment, encouraging motivation, engagement, and teamwork across all café & markets locations.
• Recognizes employees for good performance and acknowledges their efforts in huddles and EON shift reports.
• Participates in the recruitment, interviewing, and selection of student coordinators and managers, providing recommendations based on observed performance.
• Directs staff on unit operation policies and procedures.
• Leads by example in professional behavior through adherence to Campus and Dining Services policies, procedures, and leadership directives.
• Maintains visibility and accessibility in café & markets service and storage areas.

Training:

• Oversee training and onboarding processes, evaluates staff and student performance, and communicates achievements and improvement areas to leadership.
• Trains and supervises staff on proper safe food & beverage-handling practices, including temperature control, efficient preparation, preventing cross-contamination, adhering to allergen protocols, preparing allergen-specific orders, and ensuring correct product storage.
• Provides coaching, feedback, and mentorship to help team members build efficiency, speed, and operational knowledge.
• Adjust coaching, communication, and training methods based on staff skill levels and situational needs to drive results, strengthen team capability, and support continuous improvement.
• Educates team members on sanitation practices and safety requirements, to maintain regulatory and departmental standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Leadership experience performing such duties as hands-on training and working with teams.
• Supervisory-level experience in menu execution, including overseeing food and beverage preparation, and ensuring adherence to allergen, dietary, and nutritional standards.
• 2 years of experience working in a large commercial/institutional or café & market.
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must have or be eligible to obtain WA State Food Handlers permit within 30 days of initial hire date.
• Must be able to obtain SERVSAFE Certification within 6 months of initial hire date.
• Maintenance of a valid Drivers License.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two or more years of supervisory experience in a café & market, foodservice operation, or high-volume food & beverage environment.
• Demonstrated ability to train, coach and mentor students in culinary techniques, food and beverage safety, and service standards.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite software such as Word, Excel, and Outlook or similar software
• Ability to incorporate a variety of perspectives and relevant societal issues into everyday conversations.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students through various activities.

Competencies

• Leadership: Ability to lead and coordinate team efforts of kitchen staff thru direction and interaction. Ability to teach and train student employees in a fast-paced environment.
• Creativity: Ability to use creativity to develop new menus and food items and incorporate them into the various Dining Services concepts.
• Commitment to Sustainability: In all aspects considers the impact on the environment and health of the community and strives to locally source
• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Dont meet every single requirement? At CWU, were committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If youre excited about this role but your experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity youre looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary: This position is based on the range 41 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum monthly salary of $3,738 and maximum monthly salary of $4,980. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidates current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Varies based on business needs / 11-month cyclic (for more detailed information regarding cyclic appointments click link: CWU Cyclic Leave)

Working Conditions: Work is performed primarily indoors, at times in hot/cold/noisy/wet areas with some exposure to hazardous equipment and products. Working in temperatures from 0 degrees (freezer) to 350+ degrees (around cooking equipment) is common. Work requires walking and standing (often in a stationary position) for the majority of each shift. Bending/climbing/carrying/pulling/pushing/lifting associated with loading/unloading of supplies and preparation, plating and serving of food is required. Occasional overtime is required, and shift work may be required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;

• Resume including work history, education, training; and

• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: September 9, 2026

Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Monique Gonzalez

Title: Assistant Director of Dining (Admin Operations and Retail Dining)

Email: monique.gonzalez2@cwu.edu

Phone: 509-963-1591

Website: https://www.cwu.edu/student-life/dining/index.php

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington Universitys policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.