Executive Chef

Job Description

Job Description

About Discovery Management Group

Discovery Management Group leads one of the nation’s most purpose-driven and people-centered senior living organizations, managing and enhancing senior living communities across the United States. With a focus on operational excellence, lifestyle personalization, and culture-driven leadership, we proudly serve residents and families with more than 15,000 units nationwide and growing.

As part of one of the largest senior living families in the U.S., our communities have earned Great Place to Work® certifications from 2022–2026. At Discovery Management Group, purpose guides our work, culture fuels our success, and growth defines our future. We continually aspire and invest in learning and development opportunities that support our team members’ professional growth, ensuring every team member has the tools to build a meaningful and rewarding career.

Discover You Purpose with us a Discovery Village Des Plaines.  

As  Executive Chef , you’ll play an essential role in enriching the lives of seniors, creating meaningful connections, and making a difference every single day.

Your Role:

The Executive Chef oversees the culinary operations, including menu planning, food preparation, purchasing, and recipe development to ensure consistent quality and presentation. This role is responsible for estimating food needs, maintaining equipment, and ensuring compliance with safety and sanitation standards.

Position Highlights:

• Status: Full Time
• Schedule: Monday thru Friday and some weekends.
• Location: 800 S. River Rd Des Plaines IL, 60016
• Rate of Pay: SALARY

What You’ll Do:

• Assist in planning, preparation, and execution of special events, banquets, and theme meals.
• Uses innovation, imagination, originality, and talent to produce menus and recipes that utilize the highest quality ingredients allowed within the overall food and labor budget of the community.
• Understand and maintain monthly and annual budgets for Food & Beverage department, including documentation of monthly spend on food, supplies, and Back of the house labor.
• Review and adjust menus to accommodate seasonal ingredients, recipe improvements, supply chain shortages, rebated and contracted products and cost of goods increases.
• Responsible for ensuring that purchasing standards are maintained and that approved vendors are always used. Maintain strong and positive relationships with all vendors.
• Accurately report and submit monthly inventory of food & beverage supplies.
• Interview, hire and train staff for culinary and back of the house positions.  May assist with interviews for front of the house positions as well.
• Manage and supervise all culinary and back of the house staff including scheduling, assignment, direction, performance review, hiring and corrective action consistent with company policy.
• Work with the Executive Director, Hospitality Manager and community Department Heads to obtain and maintain department customer satisfaction and department of health survey levels at or above designated scores.
• Ensures any dietary needs and restrictions are met.
• Confirm food policies and procedures are being practiced by kitchen staff including, personal hygiene, safe food storage and handling procedures.
• In unison with the Hospitality Manager and Executive Director, meet regularly with residents and family members to confirm that high satisfaction levels are being delivered.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises employees in the Kitchen. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally speaking the primary language of the residents.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to use Microsoft Windows, including Word and Excel. Ability to use email and the Internet.
• Must demonstrate an interest in working with a senior population.
• Manages people effectively by taking responsibility for subordinates' activities; makes self available to staff; provides regular performance feedback; develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; improves processes, products and services.
• Consummate people skills. Exhibits talent at interacting effectively with all types of people.
• Proficient organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Must have the ability to work in a fast paced environment.
• Can define own role, take on responsibilities, and manage priorities with minimal guidance.

Benefits You'll Enjoy:

• Competitive wages
• Early access to earned wages before payday!
• Flexible scheduling options with full-time and part-time hours
• Paid time off and Holidays (full-time)
• Comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurances (full-time)
• 401(K) with employer match
• Paid training
• Opportunities for growth and advancement
• Company provided uniforms
• Employee Assistance Program

Why Join Us:

Discovery Senior Living Earned Coveted Great Place to Work Certification for 2025-2026!  A large part of what makes Discovery different from other companies in this industry is our willingness to embrace change. At Discovery Senior Living, we are constantly challenging how we are doing things to ensure the lifestyle we are offering our residents is absolutely the greatest value proposition in the marketplace. It’s just as important to us that the environment and culture for our team members are constantly refreshed. In addition, embracing and even encouraging change brings a never-ending supply of new energy to our business and our culture. That energy translates to other far-reaching positive impacts on our residents as well as our team members.

Our Culture & Values

So often, what brings people together is deeply rooted in who we are and what we stand for. And at Discovery Senior Living, we’re unified by certain, core values, which we call our “Pillars of Excellence.” They make up the fabric of our company, and include TEAMWORK, INTEGRITY, PERFORMANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY, COMPASSION, HARD WORK and CREATIVITY.

Individually, they are our virtues, and together, they make up a roadmap which helps us foster innovation and success.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members. EOE D/V

A Note to Applicants

This job description outlines the general nature and level of responsibilities for this role and is not an exhaustive list of all duties. Qualified individuals with disabilities, as defined by the ADA, must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation, as determined on a case-by-case basis.

Agency Policy

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies. Please refrain from contacting hiring managers directly.

Employment Scam Warning

We only post jobs on our official careers site and accept applications through that platform. We do not conduct interviews via text or social media or ask for personal or banking information.

Regulatory Compliance & Background Screening

Discovery Senior Living complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws and regulatory requirements governing hiring practices, background screening, and workforce eligibility. Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of state-mandated and/or federally required background screenings, which may include criminal history checks, fingerprint-based screening, Level 2 background screening, registry verification, and other screenings required for healthcare and senior living roles with direct or indirect resident access.

Certain positions may be subject to additional requirements under federal programs, including CMS, Medicare, and Medicaid regulations, as well as state-specific licensing or regulatory agencies. Screening requirements vary by role and jurisdiction, and candidates must meet all applicable standards as a condition of employment. These measures support regulatory compliance and help maintain a safe, secure environment for residents, families, and team members.

Employment in Florida is contingent upon completion of a Level 2 background screening in accordance with Florida AHCA requirements. Applicants will be required to complete fingerprinting and background screening through the AHCA Clearinghouse. For more information, please visit: