Chef Manager

Chef Manager

Are you ready to bring your culinary passion and leadership skills to the next level? Food For Thought is hiring a Chef Manager to oversee both the front and back of house teams across our Chicagoland café locations. In this role, you'll set the vision for your kitchen, stay ahead of industry trends, and ensure flawless execution of menus, promotions, and client expectations.

You're a cautious risk-taker who thrives in a fast-paced environment—balancing creativity with operational excellence. You hold yourself and others to high standards, manage costs with precision, and know how to keep both customers and employees satisfied. With at least 5 years in food service management and the ability to adapt quickly, you're self-sufficient, direct, and motivated to lead teams to success.

Responsibilities

• Measuring customer satisfaction levels through feedback and resolving any issues immediately.
• Working with the District Manager to maintain 100% compliance with the new menu and promo rollouts from the chef's committee.
• Acting as the liaison with the client to ensure expectations are met.
• Managing and maintaining all SOP and HACCP standards.
• Demonstrating financial expertise and accountability in managing food, labor, and direct costs against budgets and forecasts.
• Other duties as required or assigned.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years in food service management.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Proficient computer skills and exceptional organizational skills.
• Must provide valid food service manager certificate and food allergen certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's degree in culinary arts.
• A passion for culinary arts, with a desire for creativity.
• Ability to budget and manage inventory.
• Creativity and adaptability to challenges.

Why We're the Leaders

• Excellent training.
• Employee referral bonuses.
• Flexible scheduling.
• Career advancement opportunities.
• Competitive pay.
• Anniversary milestone incentives.

Company Benefits & Perks

• Paid time off.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance – includes spouse and domestic partner coverage (Blue Cross Blue Shield provider).
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA).
• Health savings account (HSA).
• Paid life insurance ($50K by the company, optional additional coverage).
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance (AD&D) & critical illness insurance.
• Short term disability.
• Employee assistance program (EAP) – mental health, relationship conflicts, child and eldercare, substance abuse, grief and loss – assistance for you and household members, in person sessions, unlimited phone access.
• Parental leave – equal benefits to mothers and fathers.
• 401K retirement plan.
• FFT University – over 70 courses designed to enhance your skills in life and on the job to help your career growth.
• Employee meal plan.
• Employee discounts (pet insurance, entertainment, travel, company discounts, and much more).

Company Values & Culture

• Collaboration & open communication.

• Diverse, inclusive, safe, and motivating.

• Our triple bottom line – people, product, and planet.

• A net positive organization.

Grow with us! - at Food For Thought, instruction, advice, and assistance are always readily available, which is why our average tenure is 5 years. The U.S. average is 4.3 years, while the hospitality industry average is only 2 years!