Executive Chef

Job Description Job Description Salary: 85,000-97,000 Other Forms of Compensation: 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 As the Executive Chef, you will oversee all culinary operations for a dynamic café and catering program, delivering an exceptional dining experience through innovative menus, operational excellence, and strong team leadership. This hands-on leadership role is responsible for managing daily kitchen operations, menu development, food and labor costs, inventory control, client satisfaction, and culinary team development. Supporting a single kitchen and café operation, the Executive Chef will lead breakfast and lunch service while ensuring the highest standards of food quality, safety, and hospitality. The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial chef who thrives in a fast-paced environment, combines culinary creativity with strong business acumen, and values the work-life balance of a primarily Monday through Friday schedule. Responsibilities Lead all culinary operations for a single kitchen and café, ensuring exceptional execution of breakfast and lunch service. Develop and execute seasonal, daily, and specialty menus that align with guest preferences, client expectations, and current culinary trends. Maintain the highest standards of food quality, presentation, consistency, and guest satisfaction through active involvement in production and service. Serve as a hands-on leader, working alongside the culinary team to support daily operations while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and excellence. Supervise, train, coach, and develop a team of eight hourly associates, creating growth opportunities and maintaining high levels of engagement and performance. Manage all aspects of food cost, labor cost, purchasing, inventory management, forecasting, and waste reduction to achieve financial goals and maximize operational efficiency. Demonstrate strong P&L ownership through effective budgeting, financial analysis, and cost-control initiatives. Ensure compliance with all company, local, state, and federal food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards. Establish and maintain cleaning, maintenance, and sanitation programs for equipment, storage areas, and production spaces. Oversee purchasing and vendor relationships to ensure product quality, availability, and cost effectiveness. Support campus catering operations, including meetings and special events, while maintaining high culinary standards and seamless execution. Adapt menus, offerings, and production strategies based on customer feedback, operational needs, and business objectives. Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and stakeholders through exceptional communication, responsiveness, and service. Utilize production reports, inventory tools, and operational data to drive continuous improvement and informed decision-making. Participate in client meetings, team development initiatives, and company culinary programs as needed. Maintain flexibility to support occasional catering and special events outside of standard operating hours when business needs require. Qualifications Associate degree in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience will be considered. Five or more years of progressive culinary leadership experience, including Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or similar management roles. Proven menu development and menu-writing experience required. Strong financial acumen with demonstrated experience managing P&Ls, budgets, food cost, labor cost, purchasing, and inventory controls. Experience leading a high-quality foodservice operation with a strong focus on execution, hospitality, and customer satisfaction. Versatile culinary background with expertise across multiple cuisines and dining styles. Ability to balance culinary creativity with operational and financial responsibilities in a hands-on leadership role. Strong coaching and team-development skills with a commitment to building high-performing teams. Excellent client-facing, interpersonal, and communication skills. Comprehensive knowledge of food safety, sanitation, production systems, and regulatory compliance. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and foodservice management systems. ServSafe Manager Certification preferred. Availability to support a primarily Monday through Friday operation, typically aligned with breakfast and lunch service hours. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and maintaining exceptional standards. Apply to Bon Appetit today! Bon Appetit is a member of Compass Group USA. Click here to Learn More about the Compass Story Associates at Bon Appetit are offered many fantastic benefits. Medical Dental Vision Life Insurance/ AD Disability Insurance Retirement Plan Paid Time Off Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state) Associate Shopping Program Health and Wellness Programs Discount Marketplace Identity Theft Protection Pet Insurance Commuter Benefits Employee Assistance Program Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) Paid Parental Leave Personal Leave Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information. -usa.com/wp- content/uploads/2023/08/2023_WageTransparency_BAMCO.pdf Compass Group is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law. Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. Certain positions may require Florida Level 2 background screening. Details: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Bon Appetit maintains a drug-free workplace. Req ID: 1585868 Bon Appetit BRYAN GONI