Campus Executive Chef - Union College

Campus Executive Chef - Union College

Salary: $95,000 - $110,000 / year

Our passion is food! At Bon Appetit Management Company we are committed to two things, great food and outstanding service! At Bon Appetit you won't find our managers referring to a corporate recipe book or our chefs microwaving the lunch special. We do not have standardized recipes or central commissaries, instead, our chefs and managers are expected to stay abreast of current culinary trends and bring cutting edge food into their cafes. We are a restaurant company that operates in contract food service. That means you will have the freedom to be creative, take risks, and truly shine. We are committed to our staff growing, trying new things, and learning all that they can. Our rapid growth and breadth of accounts translates into exciting opportunities for our people!

Job Summary

Working as the Executive Chef at Union College, you will lead the culinary vision and day-to-day execution across multiple dining venues, overseeing both retail and restaurant-style operations while delivering an exceptional guest experience. This role is responsible for managing a team of culinary professionals, building strong client relationships, and ensuring operational excellence across food quality, service standards, financial performance, and team development.

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, entrepreneurial culinary leader who thrives in a fast-paced, highly visible campus environment and enjoys balancing culinary leadership with operational strategy and client partnership.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all culinary and kitchen operations across retail and restaurant concepts to ensure consistent execution, quality, and guest satisfaction
• Manage, coach, and develop a team of 78 culinary team members, creating a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement
• Serve as the primary culinary partner to Union College leadership and key stakeholders, maintaining strong client relationships and proactively responding to evolving needs
• Collaborate with operations leaders to drive alignment between culinary execution, retail strategy, and service expectations
• Develop and execute regular and seasonal menus in accordance with established guidelines, guest preferences, and operational goals
• Ensure recipe adherence, portion control, presentation standards, and consistency across all locations
• Monitor production planning, food utilization, inventory management, and waste reduction initiatives to optimize financial performance
• Taste and evaluate finished products to maintain high culinary and presentation standards
• Train and mentor culinary staff in food preparation, equipment operation, food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety procedures
• Establish and maintain cleaning, maintenance, and sanitation schedules across kitchen and production areas
• Manage food and non-food inventory levels while maintaining budget targets and operational readiness
• Oversee compliance with all federal, state, and local health regulations, company policies, and audit requirements
• Support catering and campus-wide events as needed to enhance the overall dining experience
• Participate in leadership meetings, professional development opportunities, and client engagement initiatives

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality, or related field; equivalent experience considered
• 5+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience in high-volume foodservice environments
• Previous experience managing retail dining, restaurant operations, or multi-unit culinary concepts required
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing and developing teams
• Strong client relationship management and stakeholder communication skills
• Experience within higher education, hospitality, campus dining, or complex foodservice environments preferred
• Knowledge of current culinary, retail, and dining trends with a focus on quality, innovation, and guest experience
• Proven understanding of food cost controls, labor management, inventory practices, and operational efficiency
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, and standard business systems
• ServSafe certification preferred
• Experience supporting catering and special events is a plus

Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA. Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, holiday time off, associate shopping program, health and wellness programs, discount marketplace, identity theft protection, pet insurance, commuter benefits, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, paid parental leave, and personal leave.